Cleavers (Galium aparine)
Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Skin
- 4 conditions
- Licensed photo
Overview
Cleavers is a straggling, square-stemmed annual growing to 4 feet with whorls of lance-shaped leaves, clusters of small white flowers, and small round green fruits covered with hooked prickles. The name refers to the plant's ability to cling (or cleave) to fur or clothing. Common throughout Europe and North America and found in many other temperate regions including Australia, it grows prolifically in gardens and along roadsides. The Greek physician Dioscorides in the 1st century CE considered it useful for countering weariness and noted that shepherds used the stems to make sieves for straining milk.
Traditional uses & properties
Cleavers is a valuable diuretic and lymphatic stimulant, often taken for skin diseases such as seborrhea, eczema, and psoriasis; for swollen lymph glands; and as a general detoxifying agent in serious illnesses including cancer. The plant's iridoids (including asperuloside, a mild laxative), polyphenolic acids, anthraquinones (in the root), alkanes, flavonoids, and tannins contribute to its cleansing and kidney-supporting actions. For conditions such as cancer, it is best taken as fresh plant juice, which is strongly diuretic. Both the juice and infusion are also beneficial for kidney stones and other urinary problems. French research from 1947 indicated that an extract of the plant may lower blood pressure.
Traditional preparations
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person.
Fresh plant juice: 2-5 ml up to 3 times daily. Standard infusion: 4-8 ounces up to 3 times daily. Tincture (fresh herb 1:2, 95% alcohol): 5-10 ml (1-2 tsp.) 3 times daily. Can be used externally as a poultice for skin inflammation and swollen lymph nodes.
Safety & precautions
No known warnings. Generally safe for internal and external use.
Drug & food interactions
Interaction data is not available for this herb - talk to a pharmacist before combining it with any medication. A blank entry here means we have not documented interactions, not that none exist.
Habitat
Common throughout Europe and North America and found in many other temperate regions, including Australia. It grows prolifically in gardens and along roadsides and is gathered when just about to flower in late spring.
Traditionally used for
- Eczema7 herbs · 2 free
- Psoriasis5 herbs · 2 free
- Cystitis12 herbs · 2 free
- Kidney Stones9 herbs · 2 free
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Frequently asked questions
What is Cleavers (Galium aparine) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Cleavers (Galium aparine) as follows: Cleavers is a valuable diuretic and lymphatic stimulant, often taken for skin diseases such as seborrhea, eczema, and psoriasis; for swollen lymph glands; and as a general detoxifying agent in serious illnesses including cancer. The plant's iridoids (including asperuloside, a mild laxative), polyphenolic acids, anthraquinones (in the root), alkanes, flavonoids, and tannins contribute to its cleansing and kidney-supporting actions. For conditions such as cancer, it is best taken as fresh plant juice, which is strongly diuretic. Both the juice and infusion are also beneficial for kidney stones and other urinary problems. French research from 1947 indicated that an extract of the plant may lower blood pressure.
How is Cleavers (Galium aparine) prepared?
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person. Fresh plant juice: 2-5 ml up to 3 times daily. Standard infusion: 4-8 ounces up to 3 times daily. Tincture (fresh herb 1:2, 95% alcohol): 5-10 ml (1-2 tsp.) 3 times daily. Can be used externally as a poultice for skin inflammation and swollen lymph nodes.
What safety cautions apply to Cleavers (Galium aparine)?
No known warnings. Generally safe for internal and external use.
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