Cleavers and Powder Profile

Also known as

Galium aparine, clivers, goosegrass. Barweed, Bedstraw, Catchweed, Cleaverwort, Coachweed, Eriffe, Everlasting Friendship, Galium aparine, Goosebill, Gosling Weed, Grip Grass, Hayriffe, Hayruff, Hedge-Burs, Hedgeheriff, Love-Man, Mutton Chops, Robin-Run-in-the-Grass, Scratchweed, Stick-a-Back, Sweethearts.

Introduction

Cleavers is a pasture plant of Britain and North America easily recognized by its clinging leaves and sticky seeds that attach themselves to passing people and animals. The entire plant is used in herbal medicine, harvested just before it blooms in early summer. Cleavers is related to both quinine and sweet woodruff. It has no odor, and a slightly bitter taste.

Constituents

Chlorophyll, citric acid, rubichloric acid, tannins.

Parts Used

Usually the above ground parts of the plant, dried and chopped.

Typical Preparations

Usually taken as a tea, but can be eaten or ground fresh. Equally as suitable as an extract or capsule and may be lightly sprinkled on food as it has a fresh taste.

Summary

Precautions

None.