Page 172 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Cleavers/Bedstraw,

Galium aparine

Cleavers, also called Bedstraw, catchweed, sticky weed,
and goosegrass, is an annual plant that grows in damp,
rich soils along riverbanks and fence lines in eastern
and western North America and is found worldwide. It
is in the Rubiaceae (Bedstraw) Family. You often find
the plant and its seeds stuck to your clothing like Vel-
cro after walking through it.

Identification: A climbing hairy, almost sticky,
stem grows from a thin taproot to a height of 2 to 6 feet 2 Cleavers growing over the tops of other plants, Mike Pennington, CC
(0.6m to 1.8m). The plant has coarse leaves with a var- by SA 2.0
iable shape. The leaves grow in whorls around the
stem, and the stem, leaves, and fruit are usually cov- Rejuvenate the Skin, Slow the Signs of Aging:
ered with small, spiny hairs. Its leaves may be oblong Cleaver tea is said to have a toning effect to tighten skin
to lance-like or even linear. Cleavers flowers are small and smooth out wrinkles when applied externally.
and white or greenish-white in color and flower from Detoxify the Body, Drain the Lymphatic
early summer until autumn. The flowers have a sweet System, and Swollen Glands: Cleavers are a di-
smell.
uretic. They work well to remove toxins from the body
Edible Use: Cleavers are edible. I prefer them and to clean the lymphatic system.
cooked as their hairs and hooks get stuck in my throat Skin Disorders, Acne, Psoriasis, Eczema,
when I eat them raw. Their seeds can be roasted as a Abscesses, and Boils: Cleavers works internally
coffee substitute. They are a good green to juice and and externally to improve the condition of the skin, de-
drink.
toxify the blood and lymph, and reduce inflammation
Medicinal Use: Cleavers are astringent, anti-in- associated with these conditions. They are also anti-
flammatory, diuretic, detoxifying, febrifuge and pro- bacterial, which helps treat the underlying infections.
mote sweating. It is effective both internally and exter- Use both internally and externally for these conditions.
nally. I use the leaves for medicine and infuse them
cold into oil, water, or a tincture. Do not boil. Kidney Stones, Bladder and Urinary Tract
Infections: Cleavers are very effective at treating
bladder infections, urinary tract infections, and kidney
stones. It dissolves stones, clears obstructions, and
flushes them out of the body. The antibacterial action
is effective at curing the underlying infections.

Cancer: Research has been done that supports the
use of cleavers to treat tumors, especially those of the
breast, skin, head, neck, bladder, cervix, prostate, and
lymphatic system.

Chickenpox, Measles, and Fevers: To treat
chickenpox and the measles, try cleavers internally to
treat the disease and externally on the skin to relieve
the itching and general discomfort from the rash.
Cleavers also helps bring down the accompanying fe-
ver.
3 Cleavers flowers and fruit, Alvesgaspar, CC by 3.0

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