Cleavers (Galium Aparine) is another powerful herb used in Ayurved. It is regarded as a valuable lymphatic tonic and diuretic by many herbalists. Cleavers is a reliable herb and is used to clean gravel and urinary stones and to treat urinary infections.
According to many studies, cleavers lower the blood pressure without affecting the heart rate. The herb does not have any side effects that may threaten your health.
Cleavers has a long history of use as an alternative medicine and is still used widely by modern herbalists. It is used to treat a wide range of diseases both internal and external.
It is an amazing diuretic that is often taken to treat skin problems. It treats many problems such as seborrhoea, eczema, psoriasis, etc. It also acts as a great detoxifying agent in life-threatening ailments like cancer.
The fresh plant or juice of Cleavers herb is used as a medicinal wonder to treat problems like wounds, skin problems and ulcers.
An infusion of the herb has been used in the treatment of various problems. The infusion is also used to treat liver, bladder and urinary problems.
Table of Contents
Other Names Of Cleavers
- Common Names of Cleavers: Cleavers, Clivers, Goose Grass, Catchweed, Sweet Woodruff
- Botanical Name of the herb: Galium aparine
- Plant Family that cleavers belong to Rubiaceae
- Parts Used:Dried aerial parts and freshly expressed juice
Medicinal Properties Of Cleaver
Now let me guide you through its properties. Before you go ahead, it’s important for you to know what constitutes the herb ‘Cleavers.’ Let’s have a quick look.
The dried or fresh herb of cleavers has the following properties:
- It is Anti-inflammatory
- It is Astringent
- It is Diuretic
- It is Febrifuge
- It is a Tonic and
- It is Vulnerary.
A lot of scientific research is being done on the herb since it is of great interest to the medical field.The Cleavers plant contains organic acids, tannins, flavonoids, glycoside asperuloside, fatty acids, gallotannic acid and citric acid.
Cleavers Herbal History And Folklore
Cleavers is an edible and medicinal herb. It has been used for centuries by indigenous people as an alternative medicine.
Tribes in earlier times used cleavers as a love medicine. The infusion of the plant was used as a bath by women to be successful in love.
Cleavers is known to be good for the hair. It makes the hair grow long. Therefore, it was used a hair tonic. Numerous tribes used an infusion of the herb to treat gonorrhea. Cleavers was also believed to remove freckles.
A thick matt of the stems which was used to filter milk was said to provide healing properties to the milk.
Did you know? It is still used in Sweden for the purpose of filtering milk.
Cleavers Habitat
Cleavers is found worldwide. It is usually found in places like Australia, China, Britain, France, United States, Spain, Europe, and Turkey, etc.
You can find the Cleavers herb numerous hedgerows, woods, and fields. It is also grown among cultivated crops and in waste places.
Description Of The Cleaver Herb
The stems and leaves of Cleavers are covered with bristles which are little hooked.
Its Leaves are narrow, lance-shaped and are rough along the margins and surface. The prickles point backward. They occur in whorls of 6 to 8 leaves.
The flowers are white and tiny. The seeds look like little vessels and are covered with hooked bristles. Flowers bloom from April through Sept.
Health Benefits Of Cleavers
It’s very important for you to know how the herb works and why do herbalists all over the world recommend it.
Have a look at the health benefits of cleavers.
1. Used As A Remedy To Treat Snake Bites, Spider Bites And All Bites Of All Other Venomous Creatures
Cleavers is used as a marvelous remedy for to treatment of snake bites, spider bites and all bites of all other venomous creatures. it is used because it has properties that can reduce or nullify the effect of venom on your body.
However, for treating any kind of bite using Cleaver, it is always recommended to go to a herbalist for the same.
2. Maintain Weight
To keep away body fat, you should intake a porridge made of Cleavers. Cleavers have properties to reduce the absorption and digestion of fat in your body.
When the fat is not absorbed by the body, you won’t gain fat on your stomach, sides or glutes. Additionally, it is high in fiber so it can increase your metabolic rate and thus maintain your weight
3. Recommended For An Earache
Cleavers is also recommended for an earache. Modern herbalists and homeopaths recognize the value of this herb.
4. Can Treat Edema
Edema is caused majorly due to the stimulating effect of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system of your body clears all the waste from your body.
As per many expert herbalists, cleaver has an effect on swollen glands and cyst. Thus, it can work to reduce the swelling in your body.
5. Cleavers Has Cooling Properties
The cooling property of Cleavers makes it useful in reducing fevers and preventing heat strokes. it is best to use in the summer season to prevent the harmful effects of the scorching sun.
6.Healing Cuts & Wounds
You can apply the fresh leaves of the herb to cure or provide relief to cuts and wounds. It also helps stop the bleeding and has healing powers.
It works by reducing the swelling, redness, and irritation in the affected area.
7. Heal Ulcers
Having a bath in the juice of the plant helps to soothe and heal various ulcers. Ulcers are majorly caused by bacterias. Cleaver has anti-bacterial properties that can easily kill the bacteria’s and provide you an absolute cure to ulcers.
8. Treat Tonsilitis, Hepatitis, Fever
An infusion of the herb has been used to treat ailments like glandular fever, tonsillitis, hepatitis, and cystitis.
The cooling properties, anti-bacterial properties, and the anti-inflammatory properties that can do so.
9.Improves Liver Function
Improves Liver function and digestion: Cleavers is known to stimulate the liver function and improve human digestion and absorption.
The cleaver herb does so as it blood clotting properties and also by simulating the various metabolic processes of the body. The herb start improving your liver functioning after a week of regular intake.
10.Prevents Wrinkle
Cleavers is used to make an excellent facial wash. The facial wash helps in tightening the loose and saggy skin and also prevents future wrinkling.
It is highly effective to slow down the progression of skin-aging by clearing it up form isnide and providing the essential nutrients required by your skin.
11.Treats Eczema, Psoriasis
This plant is also known to help a lot in treating conditions like eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea, boils and abscesses.
The plant has skin-fortifying properties. It acts to relieve the symptoms of issues as it has anti-inflammatory, anti-healing, and redness reducing properties.
12.Relief From Congestion Of Breast
This herb is also useful in providing relief from congestion in the breasts. If you have sore breasts, mild breast pain, or any form of lump in your breast cleaver can help you relief such issues easily.
It does so as it acts on the lymphatic system and elminte any swelling in your entire body.
13.Lower Blood Pressure
Cleavers is very effective in lowering blood pressure as its extract help in thinning of the blood. Thinning of the blood allows a greater blood circulation which in turn regulates the blood pressure.
If you are on blood thinning medications, you should not cleaver as it will further thin up your blood and cause greater health risks.
14.Detoxify Body
Cleavers is also used as a purifying tonic. It is used to cleanse and get rid of the body of toxins in many ways.The cleansing action of the herb makes cleavers useful to get rid of conditions like psoriasis and arthritis.
15. Lymphatic Support To Reduce Swelling
Cleavers is widely used to treat edema and other forms of swellings. Cleavers are known to have a beneficial effect on swollen glands and cysts.You should undertake Cleavers tincture as a treatment if you’re suffering from problems like sore breasts and water retention during the post-menstrual syndrome.
16.Soothes the Gastrointestinal and Urinary Tracts
Cleavers exhibits anti-spasmodic properties on the urinary and digestive tracts. It provides for an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and interstitial cystitis.
Cleavers help get rid of and dissolve kidney stones. It also reduces the presence of fibrocystic tissue in the kidneys.
17. Can Treat Post-menstrual Symptoms
Te post-menstrual symptoms like sore breasts and water retention, mood swings, etc. can be controlled by cleaver.
Daily consumption of cleaver tea can help you to get rid of these symptoms easily.
18. Can Cure Variety of Skin Conditions
It is also used in resolving infections associated with skin eruptions such as measles, chickenpox among others. It does so as it has properties to reduce inflammation, redness, irritation, and itchiness.
External Applications
Be careful: If you suffer from skin eruptions or are allergic, please seek medical advice first. If the herb doesn’t suit your skin, please discontinue using it after the first use.
Cleavers is known to be a vulnerary herb. It is Vulnerary as it this means helps to heal wounds –especially tumours and ulcers in the mouth and throat.Cleavers is added to many healing salves and ointments as it has cooling, soothing and wound-healing properties.
How To Grow And Harvest Cleavers Herb?
It’s very easy to cultivate the cleavers plant. You should cultivate it in moist soil. This herb doesn’t need much help to reproduce.
You should pick the herb before it dries ensure the herb is contaminant free.
Cleavers Edible Uses
It is an edible herb. It is mainly used as a pot-herb or as an addition to soups.If you use the plant as a vegetable, it will have a slimming effect on your body.
Cleavers seed is said to be one of the best coffee substitutes. It only needs to be dried and lightly roasted, and you can enjoy the same flavor as coffee.
Cleavers is a coffee relative, and the roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute. The young leaves can be eaten like spinach.
Herbal Recipe
Tip: You should be aware of all the properties and benefits of the herb before you start to consume it.
Now that you’ve got to know about cleavers introduce it in your life and bring it to your kitchen. Let me help you:
To Make Medicinal Tea Out Of Cleavers
Add three tablespoons of cleavers dried or fresh herbs to 1 pint of boiling water.
Let it steep for 10 minutes.
Take in mouthful doses throughout the day.
Cleavers tincture and tea are widely recommended by herbal practitioners.
Instructions For Tincture
- 3-5ml should be taken three times per day.
- For treating certain conditions, you should first consult your doctor or a qualified herbalist to get best results.
- The cleavers seeds form one of the best substitutes for coffee. You need to dry them or roast them over the fire for the same. They have also been used in Sweden. The whole plant gives a decoction equal to tea.
- The expressed juice is recommended, in doses of 3 oz. Twice a day. Since it is diuretic, a person suffering from diabetes should not take it.
Its use is recommended for the treatment of urinary secretion and the urinary organs as it acts as a solvent of stone in the bladder.The dried plant is often infused in hot water and is also consumed as a tea.
How To Make The Cleavers Tea
1 OZ. of the dried herb should be infused to 1 pint of water. This infusion should be taken in wineglassful doses. It can be taken either hot or cold. This infusion has a soothing effect in the case of insomnia. It helps you attain a quiet, sound and restful sleep.
Wash made out of Cleavers is used to treat sunburn and freckles. You should apply this infusion to your face using a soft cloth or sponge.
An ointment is made from the leaves and stems from treating the ulcerated parts. The expressed juice is used internally for the same. The ointment also cures Cancer and tumors.
Cleavers was also used as an ointment for scalds and burns in the 14 century, under the name of Clive and Tongebledes (Tongue bleed).
It was also used as a cure for colds, swellings, etc. Tea made using the herb is still a used in many rural areas as a remedy for cold.
In France, the crushed herb is used as an ointment to be applied to sores and blisters. Cleavers as a herb is used in various forms and is also used as an ingredient in numerous products.
Warnings And Precautions
We all are in the search of solutions to our problems. But let’s be sensible. Before you start to use a product, Always seek advice from your doctor.
It’s always beneficial to consult your doctor before inculcating a herb or medicine in your lifestyle. You should always be on the safe side and read all the instructions and warnings properly.
So far, no known side effects of the herb have been discovered. It is also known to be safe for consumption/use by people of any age group.
As the plant dries, coumarin (C9H6O2) is released. Therefore, it is advised that you should not take it with other anticoagulant medications. Cleavers is both taken as a tincture and tea, internally. Externally, it is used as a poultice, wash compressor in various products like salves, lotions, and ointments.
You should always test the reaction of the product on your skin before you start to use it regularly.
If it causes harm, you should stop using it immediately. You should also avoid using a product if it causes irritation or rashes.
The recommended dose of cleavers is 30 drops – or 1 full dropper – of fresh cleavers tincture. While there are no known contraindications for cleavers, it is always advised to check with your doctor or a professional before taking herbs.
You should not take the risk and avoid it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medications. One should also avoid taking it if they’re suffering from a serious or chronic illness.
