Herbs & Botanicals

Product Description

Botanical Name: Galium aparine

Plant Family: Rubiaceae

Botanical Description:
Cleavers, scientifically known as Galium aparine, is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is also commonly known as goosegrass, stickyweed, or catchweed. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, cleavers is found in damp, shaded areas, along hedges, and in woodland edges. Cleavers typically grows up to 1 meter in height and features slender, straggling stems that produce small, lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls of six to eight. The stems and leaves are covered with tiny hooked hairs that give the plant a sticky texture, allowing it to cling to surfaces and other vegetation. Cleavers produces small, white flowers arranged in clusters that give way to tiny, round fruits covered with hooked bristles. The plant is known for its ability to spread rapidly and for its tenacious clinging habit.

Introduction:
Cleavers has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems around the world, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), European herbalism, and Native American herbalism. It reported to possess diuretic, lymphatic, and detoxifying properties, making it a popular remedy for various health conditions.

Preparations:
Cleavers Tea: Prepare cleavers tea by steeping dried cleavers leaves and stems in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea and drink as needed. Cleavers tea can be consumed hot or cold and may be sweetened with honey or lemon, if desired.
Cleavers Infusion: Prepare a cleavers infusion by soaking dried cleavers leaves and stems in cold water overnight. Strain the infusion and drink as needed.
Cleavers Tincture: Cleavers tincture is made by macerating dried cleavers leaves and stems in alcohol or glycerine to extract their medicinal properties. The tincture is then strained and diluted with water before consumption. Cleavers tincture can be taken orally.