{"id":4919,"date":"2020-09-09T23:12:04","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T23:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/?p=4919"},"modified":"2021-03-14T01:41:48","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T01:41:48","slug":"herbal-interlude-with-cleavers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wondermentgardens.com\/herbal-interlude-with-cleavers\/","title":{"rendered":"An Herbal Interlude with Cleavers (Galium aparine)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Cleavers (Galium aparine)<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Botanical family - Rubiaceae or Bedstraw Family<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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About Cleavers<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are several species of\u00a0Galium\u00a0<\/i>in the west.\u00a0G. aparine<\/i>, or Cleavers is probably the most common. Other varieties are loosely grouped together and referred to as Bedstraw. All have almost identical constituents and medicinal uses and so are used interchangeably.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Common Names for Cleavers<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Cleavers\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cleavers is also called clivers,\u00a0bedstraw,\u00a0goosegrass, <\/sup>catchweed, <\/sup>stickyweed,\u00a0sticky bob, Robin-run-the-hedge, grip grass, sticky grass, bobby buttons,\u00a0and\u00a0velcro\u00a0plant<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Description<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cleavers is a short, naturalized annual with square stems that be either smooth or bristly. The leaves are even and whirling. They grow in clump-like mats, trailing over larger herbs and shrubs mostly from a single feeble stem. The larger bedstraws are small erect perennials that grow up to a few feet tall (usually up to a foot in our area). Both Cleavers and Bedstraw have small, white or greenish-white flowers that bloom from May to September and exude a strong, honey-like odor.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Part Used and Harvesting Information<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The above ground part of the plant is used.\u00a0 Usually in spring or early summer.\u00a0<\/p>

To gather cleavers, wad up a large wad of the clinging mass and place in a card board box to dry.\u00a0 If making a tincture or extract, dry or wilt the fresh cleavers by leaving them out to dry for a day or so.\u00a0 Then chop it into small bits, place it in a jar and fill with 30 to 40% food grade alcohol.\u00a0 (Vodka or diluted Everclear both work well).\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Medicinal Use<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cleavers is a cooling herb. It is cleansing and soothing with a special affinity for the water systems and the skin. Cleavers supports the lymph system promoting drainage of toxins and wastes that are then excreted through the urinary system. The herb has a long history.\u00a0 As a mild, persistent diuretic and is used to treat cystitis, kidney and gall stones.\u00a0 Use it to address swollen glands, swollen breasts, PMS, mild lymph edema, gout and prostatitis. Cleavers has mild or feeble effects on the liver, but is one of the few herbs that may be used during a hepatitis flare-up without fear of irritation.<\/p>

According to Herbalist Michael Cottingham, Galium\u2019s energy focuses on the smallest of blood vessels bringing healing energy and vitalization. This makes it especially useful in wound healing, both internal and external. Vitalization at the subtlest level brings great healing to the whole.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Cleavers\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Externally Cleavers is often added to formulas that protect and enhance the skin. It helps speed healing and eases the discomfort of skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, boils, blemishes, and abscesses and makes an excellent facial wash to tone and reduce wrinkling. (When treating eczema, it is best to also use Galium internally as well as externally).<\/p>

This is an excellent herb to take both internally and externally when treating eruptive infections such as measles and chicken pox. The fresh leaves can be applied to cuts or wounds to check bleeding and speed healing. The juice or an infusion can be used to bathe varicose ulcers, or the fresh leaves can be made into a poultice. Cleavers will soothe and cool burns, sunburn and inflammatory skin problems. Sam Coffman of the Herbal Medic University uses cleaver stems as a kind of spaghetti or cooked vegetable. All that healing and it tastes yummy too.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Preparation Methods and Dosage Suggestions<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There are so many ways to use Cleavers.\u00a0 And as with most herbs, I use it in combination or formula for the best benefit.\u00a0 \u00a0With that in mind, following are some general guidelines.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>