Common Names: Clivers, goosegrass, gripgrass, sticky-willie, catchweed, hedgeburs.

Parts Used: Dried aerial parts and the fresh expressed juice. The plant should be gathered before flowering and dried in the shade.

Description: Cleavers is an annual with a slender taproot that produces a weak, square, prickly stem that grows from 1 to 2 feet long. The rough, lance-shaped leaves occur in whorls of 6 or 8 around the stem. The stems and leaves are covered with little hooked bristles, which attach to passing objects. Inconspicuous whitish flowers appear on the stalks from the leaf axils from April through September. The fruit consists of two joined, bristly, globular, one-seeded carpels.

Habitat: Moist or grassy places and along riverbanks and fences in Canada, the eastern half of the U.S., and the Pacific coast.

Constituents: Iridoid glycosides (monotropein, asperuloside, aucubin), phenolic acids (caffeic, gallic), anthraquinone derivatives, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, citric acid, red dye (including galiosin). Alterative, aperient, astringent, diuretic, emetic, febrifuge, hemostat, laxative, refrigerant, tonic.

Uses: Used to treat cancer, carcinoma, fever, jaundice, kidney ailments, lymphadenoma, obesity, parasites, scurvy, skin ailments, tumor (breast), urinary ailments, venereal ailments. Cleavers is a reliable diuretic used to help clean gravel and urinary stones and to treat urinary infections. It also stimulates the lymphatic system and relieves swollen lymph glands. The body relies on the lymphatic system to drain away toxins and wastes. That is why Cleavers has been described as an alterative and blood purifier. It is also useful in treating diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis and arthritis in which the body requires cleansing. It is also traditionally used for cancer, particularly that of the lymphatic system. It is reputed to help lower blood pressure and cool the body during fevers and is used as an external wash for sores and wounds. An infusion may be used for complexion and a hair rinse for dandruff. It also makes a good natural deodorant. Using the plant as a vegetable has a slimming effect on the body. The plant is often used as part of a spring tonic drink with other herbs. Dosages: Cold or Standard For the lymphatic system combine with Poke, Echinacea or Calendula. For skin conditions combine with Yellow Dock and Burdock. For diuretic purposes it is often used with Buchu and/or Bearberry. Tincture: Fresh plant [1:2] in 25% alcohol, 1 to 2 teaspoons, up to 4 times a day. Juice: Fresh plant, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon, up to 4 times a day.

Miscellaneous: It is a very valuable plant, being perhaps the best tonic to the lymphatic system available. As a lymphatic tonic with alterative and diuretic actions it may be used safely in a wide range of problems where the lymphatic system is involved. These include swollen glands anywhere in the body, especially in tonsillitis and adenoid trouble. It is helpful in skin conditions, especially the dry kind such as psoriasis. It is helpful in the treatment of cystitis andother urinary conditions where there is pain and may be combined with urinary demulcents for this. There is a long tradition for the use of Cleavers in the treatment of ulcers and tumors. This may have its basis in the lymphatic drainage, which helps detoxify tissue. Cleavers also makes an excellent vegetable.

Flower Essence: Releases tension, the need to manipulate; renews interest for what the world has to offer.  Takes the focus off distancing relatives onto the possibility of wonder, growth, fun.

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