Cleavers Herb (Galium aparine)
Cleavers is an herbaceous annual in the bedstraw (coffee) family that is also known by a variety of other common names that describe its growth habit, such as Sticky Willy, Catch Weed and Grip Grass. Cleavers is a ground cover found in meadows and other wayside places that is in the madder or bedstraw family, which includes the coffee plant. In fact, the plant is considered an invasive weed by many gardeners because it tends to “run over” its neighbors by latching onto their stems with hooks and eventually climbing over their tops.
Cleavers has a thin taproot with a prickly stem protruding up to 6 feet long. The leaves are rough and grow in groups of up to eight around the stem. Small greenish-white flowers blossom from May to September and a conjoined, single-seeded fruit is produced each year.
Its name is derived from its ability to cling to fur or clothing, and the stems were used by shepherds to strain milk.
If harvested before flowering, the young shoots are edible as a salad herb. Like other members of the bedstraw family, cleavers was once used as mattress stuffing. In ancient Greece, the hooked stems were used to form a matrix through which to strain milk. In some parts of Europe, this practice continues today.
Cleavers herb contains a number of active compounds, including phenolic acids, coumarins, flavonoids and iridoid glycosides such as aucubin.
At one time, in fact, the roasted seeds of cleavers were used as a coffee alternative. Today, the leaves and stems of the herb are used to brew tea or to make topical skin washes and poultices.
Origin: Eastern Europe
Active Compounds: Iridoids, alkanes, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenolic acids, and anthraquinones.
Plant Part Used: Aerial part
Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Appearance and Aroma: Grass-like with a mild scent.
Cosmetic Uses: Make hot water infusions or alcohol tinctures for use in skin washes.
Culinary Uses: Use the dried herb in tea blends or to make tinctures.
Flavor Profile: When brewed has a slightly bitter taste.
Safety: Take only two weeks each round, skipping a week or two since Cleavers herb is high in tannin, meaning it is highly astringent.
Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.
This information is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by Canada Health or the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.