Cleavers

Western Bulk Herb – Cleavers

Cleavers is traditionally used for skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. In recent studies Cleavers showed its ability to dissolve kidney stones. The whole plant is rich in vitamin C and the tea is used by the Chinese as an antiperspirant as well as for head colds, restlessness, and sunburns. The pulp can be used on poisonous bits to relieve pain. The French use it to lower blood pressure.

Latin Name:
Galium aparine

Common Names:
Galium aparine, clivers, goosegrass. Barweed, Bedstraw, Catchweed, Cleaverwort, Coachweed, Eriffe, Everlasting Friendship, Galium aparine, Goosebill, Gosling Weed, Grip Grass, Hayriffe, Hayruff, Hedge-Burs, Hedgeheriff, Love-Man, Mutton Chops, Robin-Run-in-the-Grass, Scratchweed, Stick-a-Back, Sweethearts.

Parts Used:
Above ground parts of the plant, dried and chopped.

Properties:
Usually taken as a tea, but can be eaten or ground fresh. It can also be sprinkled on the top of food.

Traditional Uses:

Topical Uses / Applications:

Culinary Uses:
Can be sprinkled on the top of food for healing power.

Chemical Properties:
Chlorophyll, citric acid, rubichloric acid, tannins.

Cautions:
GRAS: Generally Recognized as Safe. This herb can be safely consumed when used appropriately.

Folk Lore:
Traditionally, cleavers were used for skin diseases. Its properties are diuretic, and vulnerary and it was used by herbalists to lower blood pressure and body temperature. It was also used for cystitis. North American native women used it for bathing so they would be lucky in love.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.