Cleavers (Galium Aparine) Cut & Sifted Herb

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Cleavers Cut & Sifted Herb HERB COMMON NAME :  Cleavers HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Galium Aparine OTHER NAMES :  Goosegrass, Barweed, Catchweed, Cleavers, Stickywilly, Zhu Yang Yang, Kisses, Sticky Willy, Stickyweed FAMILY :  Rubiaceae ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES : Element:  Fire Planet:  Saturn Direction:  South Zodiac Sign:  Libra Chakra:  7th Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) Energy:  Yin Gender:  Feminine Rune:  Dagaz   Parts Used:  Aerial Description:  Cleavers is a common annual groundcover usually found thriving in abandoned lots and waste places. Although the plant exudes a sap when plucked, the “sticky” factor responsible for so many of the plant’s nicknames comes from the hairs that cover the plant and act as tiny hooks. Cleavers was once used for bedding material. 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 is known as “bedstraws.” The stems were once gathered and fashioned into mats 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. The Cleavers plant 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, make an excellent coffee substitute. The Cleavers plant has a long history of use, often utilized by herbalists as one of the primary blood and lymph system “cleansing” herbs. It is considered a diuretic, so one should keep well hydrated if using this herb. In herbal tradition, it is believed that many irritating skin conditions are due to toxins in the blood that are treated by “cleansing the system.” Cleavers is often taken to treat skin problems such as seborrhea, eczema, and psoriasis. The fresh plant or juice of Cleavers herb is used as a poultice for wounds, ulcers, and many other skin problems. Cleavers herb is considered a cooling and detoxifying agent in serious illnesses such as cancer, but consult your oncologist before using this herb. Cleavers may have a slight laxative effect and stimulate the lymphatic system. An infusion has shown to be of possible benefit in the treatment of glandular fever, tonsillitis, hepatitis, and cystitis and has also used to treat liver, bladder, and urinary problems. Cleavers is said to be good for the hair, making it grow long when an infusion is used as a rinse. Several Native American Tribes used an infusion of the plant for gonorrhea. Cleavers was also believed to remove freckles. It has also been used as a remedy for the bites of snakes, spiders and all venomous creatures. Cleavers has long been used as an aid for obesity. Due to its effect on the lymphatic system, cleavers have a reputation for aiding weight loss and reducing cellulite.  Using the plant as a vegetable is supposed to have a slimming effect on the body. Historical Uses:  adaptogen, lymphatic tonic, lymphatic cleanser, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, astringent, detoxifier, detoxifying, detox, cleansing, alterative, hypotensive, mild laxative, diuretic, vulnerary, increases lymphatic drainage, breaks up enlarged lymph nodes, demulcent for the urinary tract, inflammation of the skin, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea, coffee substitute, glandular fever, tonsillitis, hepatitis, cystitis, treats the liver, treats the bladder, helps urinary problems, hair growth, growing hair, treats gonorrhea, removes freckles, snake bites, spider bites, weight loss, treats obesity, reduces cellulite, seborrhea, seborrheic dermatitis Mystical Attributes:  Native American tribes used the leaf in love medicine. The infusion of plant was used as a bath by women who wished to be successful in love. Mystical Intentions:  love magic, love spells, love potions, binding spells Other Uses:  The Cleavers plant is edible raw though said to be unpalatable. The entire plant is edible when cooked to remove the hooked hairs, but the herb is more commonly used in teas, added to soups, and is used to make topical infusions and washes. Cleavers tea is known as “sticky willy”. The dried and roasted seeds of the plant is an excellent, and one of the best, coffee substitutes. Cleavers seeds merely need to be dried and lightly roasted and has much the same flavor as coffee. Taste & Smell:  Cleavers have a fresh green taste, kind of like young peas with the pod, an element of grassiness, and a mild bitter herbal flavor.  Cleaver seeds, when dried and roasted, taste much like coffee and are used as a coffee substitute. Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Cleavers are herbaceous annual plants of the family Rubiaceae, native to North America and Eurasia. It is common in Australia, Britain, China, Europe, France, Iraq, Mexico, Spain, Turkey, and the United States. Cleavers creep along the ground and over the tops of other plants, attaching themselves with the small hooked hairs which grow out of the stems and leaves. The stems can reach up to three feet or longer, and are angular or square shaped. The leaves are simple, narrowly oblanceolate to linear, and borne in whorls of six to eight. Cleavers have tiny, star-shaped, white to greenish flowers, which bloom from April to September. The flowers are clustered in groups of two or three, and are borne out of the leaf axils. The globular fruits grow clustered 1-3 seeds together; and are covered with hooked hairs (a burr) which cling to animal fur, aiding in seed dispersal. Cleavers is very easy to cultivate. This plant does not really need any help to reproduce itself and can be invasive. It grows in woodland gardens in dappled shade or shady edges, or also hedgerows. It prefers shade to part sun and loose moist leafy soil, but can tolerate some dry soil. Seeds are best sown outside directly into the garden soil as soon as the seed is ripe in late summer. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate. Once established, this plant does not really need any help to reproduce itself. Leaves are harvested in May and June as it comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried for later use. Gather the above ground plant, being careful not to gather whatever it touches. Unless you are sure that you aren’t allergic the fresh plant, wear gloves and long sleeves to harvest. Apparently, the dried plant is safe but still use caution at first. Dry for later herb use, should be picked through before drying to ensure herb is contaminant free. Dried leaves may be cut into smaller pieces and stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Contraindications & Toxicity:  The fresh Cleavers plant can cause severe contact dermatitis for some people. Wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting Cleavers. Strain infusions and tinctures of uncooked Cleavers carefully to avoid throat irritation. Constituents:  acids (caffeic, gallic, salicylic, citric) iridoid glycosides (asperuloside) are mildly laxative & purgative tannins (gallotannic acid) coumarins flavonoids polyphenolic acid alkanes anthraquinones (root only)     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional.  Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions. Many of our products are hand made to order. Once orders are in processing, products are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and not returnable. Shipping times may be up to 3-4 weeks. ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Related