Cleavers

Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a low growing, flowering winter annual that thrives in moist and grassy areas along waterways and in pastures and fields. Since it is found throughout most of the globe, the plant has earned quite a few common names. Among them are barweed, clivers, hedgeheriff, goosegrass, grip grass, sweethearts, scratweed, robin-run-in-the-grass, love-man, stick-a-back, mutton chops, everlasting friendship, stickywilly, Amor De Hortelano and ladies' straw. Whatever name you prefer, the plant is easily recognized by square stems that support whorls of 6-8 lance-shaped leaves.

Cleavers was once used for bedding material. In fact, it is said that the Virgin Mary made use of this herb to prepare a bed for her newborn child. This is likely why cleavers, as well as many other Galium species of the madder family, are collectively known as “bedstraws.” The stems were once gathered and fashioned into mat that would serve as a sieve, through which fresh milk could be filtered and infused with the health-giving properties of the plant. In some parts of Sweden, this traditional use continues today.

Although the plant imparts a honey-like fragrance while in bloom, it tastes somewhat bitter. For this reason, its culinary use is largely limited to soups and stews. The dried and roasted seeds of the plant, however, reputedly make an excellent coffee substitute. Native American tribes used the leaf in love medicine and, ironically, to cure gonorrhea. Medieval physicians recommended cleavers to stay the venom of snakes and spiders. Today, infusions of the leaf are used as a hair tonic and to fade the appearance of freckles. Consumption of the herb is believed to have a slimming effect, a reputation likely owing to its laxative and diuretic properties.

Cleavers has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and astringent qualities, making it useful as a topical treatment for various skin disorders, including psoriasis, eczema and dandruff of the scalp. The herb is also used internally to stimulate the lymphatic system to eliminate waste. The presence of the glycoside asperuloside suggests that the herb may help to lower blood pressure since this substance is converted into prostaglandins in the body, hormone-like agents that expand the walls of blood vessels. However, asperuloside may also stimulate the uterus, making this herb unsuitable during pregnancy.