CLEAVERS- GALLIUM APARINE
Cleavers is a humble plant with a deep affinity for the body’s inner waters.
Cleavers are well known for their sticky leaves and stems. They consist of weak, sprawling stems, of up to 1 m (39 inches) long. They bear whorls of 6–8 mm long, slender green leaves with a prominent central vein.
Tiny greenish-white flowers are borne in branching clusters between May to August and develop into round, green (later brown/purple) fruits between 3–5 mm in diameter.
Stems, leaves and seed have stiff hooked hairs and are sticky or velcro like.
Often growing abundantly in the spring, it has long been valued for its ability to bring gentle movement and clearing to areas of stagnation. Its primary action is as an alterative, supporting the body’s natural processes of cleansing and restoration.
This influence is most noticeable through the lymphatic system, kidneys, and urinary tract, helping to move fluids, reduce congestion, and support elimination. It is also commonly used as a skin tonic, reflecting the connection between the lymph, kidneys, and the surface of the body.
More specifically, Cleavers can be understood as a diuretic and lymphagogue alterative, encouraging flow where there has been accumulation, whether physical or energetic.
For medicine making, Cleavers is best harvested fresh right as it begins to flower in late spring or early summer. At this stage, its vitality is at its peak. Once dried, much of its potency is lost, which is why it is traditionally worked with fresh whenever possible.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE USES:
- Urinary System: One of the main traditional Uses for Cleavers. A cooling and soothing plant, effective in cases of heat, irritation and inflammation within the urinary tract. Helping to ease the burning caused by cystitis, UTIs, and stones. Cleavers are a valuable remedy for cystitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, epididymitis, urethritis, UTIs, and interstitial cystitis. As a mild astringent it provides support in cases of bleeding, whilst it's diuretic properties flush the urinary system. Can be used in dry and or damp constitutions, however, heat is its primary constitution for prescription. Particularly apt when the situation also causes nervousness, anxiety and tension whilst affecting sleep. As a demulcent cleavers is ideal for supporting the mucous membranes, such as those in the urinary tract, due to the presence of silica, which strengthens weak connective tissue and improves its structure and function.
- Hyperthyroidism: As an alterative herb that can be useful in cases of damp stagnation Cleavers can also be employed for cases of hyperthyroidism caused by low thyroxine and reduced metabolism. When metabolic fire, Agne, is low, waste is not adequately processed and can result in feeling sluggish and heavy whilst being more prone to infections. Hyperthyroidism often causes swollen lymphs and glands in the throat region, and Cleavers is ideal in this instance being an effective lymphatic herb. It is supportive in longterm management of hyperthyroidism.
- Adverse Immune activity and pathogen response often cause swelling in the lymphatic system. Cleavers works with the waters of the body, gently cleansing the blood, lymph and kidneys by shifting metabolic waste and cellular debris. Due to being cooling in nature it is ideal for damp heat ignited inflammation whilst it's moistening effect is ideal for those with a dry tissue state. As a diuretic longterm use can actually have a drying effect so use short term for those with constitutional dryness.
- Cleavers is ideal in cases of dry and damp skin conditions. Short-term as stated above for dry skin conditions. It makes a beautiful cream for those suffering from eczema and psoriasis, it can also be used for people with dandruff, sunburn, dry or cracked nipples, oily acne and surface growths. As an internal medicine it was historically prescribed for those presenting with both lymphatic congestion, swollen glands and skin conditions.
- The Anti-inflammatory and lymphatic properties of cleavers are effective in supporting conditions of the upper respiratory tract by reducing swelling and resolving congestion. In promoting effective lymphatic function, cleavers helps to reduce mucus build up and breathing difficulties.
- Traditionally prescribed in cases of fibrocystic breast tissue, calcification, stones and mineral deposits in the joints. Cleavers helps to shift stagnation and build up in the tissues, muscles, joints, lymphatic system, kidneys and urinary tract. It supports reproductive health in both women and men. Cleavers can directly enhance the immune response by increasing the production of key immune cells including splenocytes, activating natural killer (NK) activity and increasing cytokines.
- Cleavers are also well referenced as a herb for the nervous system. Matthew Wood specifies indications for cleavers as “nervousness, sympathetic excess, skin irritability/ itchiness, an unsettled feeling, insatiability and nervous irritability”.
- Cleavers are rich in antioxidant compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins. This makes them an excellent support to help maintain cellular health and avoid damage caused by free radicals.
- Key constituents: Iridoid glycosides, Flavonoids, Tannins.
- Key actions: Lymphatic, Diuretic, Depurative, Anti-inflammatory.
- Key energetics: Cooling and Moistening
- Preperation and dosage:
Aerial parts used.
Tincture (ratio 1:5| 25%): Take between 4–8ml three times a day.
Fluid extract (1:1 | %): Take between 2–4ml in a little water three times a day.
Infusion/decoction: Cleavers can be made into a hot or cold infusion by infusing around a handful of fresh herb or 2–3tsp of dried herb in either a pint of hot or cold water. Cold water infusions should be infused for between 24–48 hours. Hot infusions should be infused for up to 15 minutes. Strain and drink up to three times daily.
Succus: The fresh juice of cleavers can also be frozen in ice cubes. Take between 5–15ml per day
A cold infusion made using spring water and freshly foraged cleavers is one of the finest tastes of spring. Cleavers deliver a crisp, clean cucumber-like taste. When making an infusion with cleavers, the fresh herb is always best due to its high water content, and much of the herb mass and the medicinal potency is lost on drying. The tincture of cleavers is similar to the taste — with smooth and grassy tones.
They can be used as a daily tonic throughout spring to clear stagnation built up throughout the winter. This medicine is safe for all the family and is best used as a fresh herb, foraged in early to mid spring.
The season to harvest cleavers is short, and as they are best used fresh, a great way to use the herb is to make a succus (or juice), which can then be frozen into ice trays for extended use.
Cleavers belongs to the same family as coffee. The seeds of cleavers can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute. They contain small amounts of caffeine and are easily foraged in abundance.
RECIPE:
Cleavers cold infusion
Ingredients
- Cleavers
- Spring water
How to make a cleavers cold infusion
- Simply harvest a handful of fresh cleavers in spring.
- Chop them up a little to open up the surface for a deeper medicine or simply place into a pint glass or jug of spring water.
- Infuse the cleavers in the refrigerator for between 24–48 hours.
- Then pour off the refreshing cold infusion into a clean glass and drink freely throughout the day.
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There is a lack of reliable data for the safety of cleavers during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is advised to consult a medical herbalist for further guidance in these instances. Cleavers has strong diuretic properties, and should, therefore, be used with caution by individuals with diabetes or other conditions where fluid balance is controlled using medications.
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FOLKLORE:
Cleavers is ruled by the moon. Making it a helpful plant ally for women. It is said to allow for resting space, helping to slow down people who struggle to do so. The ones who have to go full pelt until they suffer from burnout. If you more of a procrastinator or stuck in a rut you might want to seek a more active energy. That being said it is an early spring plant; appearing at the time many of us are setting goals and plans for the year ahead. Perhaps the message here is to prepare for growth rather than diving into action.
Cleavers is also beneficial in work with binding magic: Binding energy to you or from you.
Cleavers were also used as fillings for mattresses in Old Europe which gave it the name “bedstraw.”
This remedy clears the auric field and cleanses. It therefore enables us to receive the support appropriate for us in any given moment. It can clear a project of negative or heavy energies and is one of the remedies that can be used in house clearing or land healing. It enables us to move out from staying in our own rubbish or old patterns of behavior. The other important aspect is the ability to identify and let go of the old patterns and behaviors, letting go of as well as to reach out.
The interesting thing about the word “cleave” is that it has two very different meanings. The noun “cleave” has to do with loyalty and to adhere to firmly and unwaveringly. The verb “cleave” has to do with cutting or splitting.
The sticky seeds were once used by lacemakers to enlarge pinheads.
The roots of cleavers can be used to produce a permanent red dye.
The ancient Greek shepherds were said to use the plant as a sieve, when they were out in the fields tending and milking their sheep. In Sweden, a thick mat of the stems is still used as a filter for milk.
Folklore claims that whoever drinks cleavers water for nine weeks shall be so beautiful that everyone will fall in love with them.
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CLEAVERS- GALLIUM APARINE
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