April 2026

Spring Into Spring – What Are Spring Herbal Tonics

• Week 1: Spring Into Spring – What Are Spring Herbal Tonics
• Week 2: Stinging Nettle – The Warrior Who Nourishes
• Week 3: Chickweed – A Weed With A Chic
• Week  4: Cleavers: Getting A Little Clingy

Cleavers: Getting A Little Clingy

a bed for childbirth with bedstraw. 

The botanical name Galium comes from the Greek word for milk,  gala, referring to its traditional use as a strainer for milk, while aparine comes from the Greek apairo, meaning “to seize. 

Botanical Family: Rubiaceae, or Madder

Part used: Aerial parts 

Degree: 2nd degree. Not food, but a safe medicine

Description

Cleavers is a climbing annual that reaches 1 to 5 feet tall, though it often sprawls across the ground or climbs over other vegetation rather than standing upright.

The stems are square, covered with hooks and fine hairs that stick to surrounding vegetation and support upward growth.

Leaves are narrow and pointed . They are arranged in circular groups of 6–8 around the stem. Only two are true leaves; the rest are leaf-like structures. All are covered in tiny backward-pointing prickles, making them feel rough and slightly sticky.

Two to three flowers grow in the spot where the leaves meet the stem. The flowers are star shaped, small, symmetrical, and white to greenish-white.

The fruits are small, round about 3-4 mm, covered with hooked bristles and divided into sections, each containing a seed. The seeds are spread by attaching to animals.

Growing 

Cleavers is an annual weed that grows naturally in moist soil on the edges of woods. It is primarily found in temperate zones; in the tropics, it is restricted to higher altitudes. Because of their hooked hairs, the seeds easily cling to animals and humans, contributing to their widespread distribution.

Harvest the fresh, young aerial parts (stems, leaves, and small flowers) in spring before the plant flowers and sets seed. The plant is at its peak medicinal potency when young, tender, and bright green. Once flowering begins and seed production commences, the plant becomes tough and, fibrous, losing much of its medicinal value.

Harvest on a dry morning after the dew has evaporated. Cut the top 15-20 cm of the plant, selecting tender growth. Wear gloves or use protective leaves when harvesting, as the hooked bristles can irritate sensitive skin.

Fresh cleavers are vastly superior to dried. The plant loses significant potency when dried due to its high moisture content and volatile constituents. 

History and Lore

The Greek physician and pharmacologist Dioscorides (c. 40–90 AD), known as the “father of pharmacognosy” for his foundational 5-volume encyclopedia, De Materia Medica, refers to the use of cleavers to strain milk from dirt and hair. 

Energetic Architecture

Ruling planet

The English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper (1616 – 1654)  put cleavers under the ruling of Venus, suggesting it strengthens the organs under her rule, the neck, and the renal system. 

Psychological Profile

Cleaver’s capacity to remove stagnation extends beyond the physical realm. It can support people who feel stuck in their jobs or in an unhealthy relationship. A beneficial remedy for helping people who are clinging to the past having a hard time letting go. 

Taste

Cleaver tastes green, slightly salty, and juicy.

Energetics

Temperature: Cooling

Fluids: Drying

Tone: Neutral

Tissue State

Damp stagnation – cleaver is for people with poor nutrition, metabolism, and elimination who are in need of detoxification. People with low metabolism experience physical and mental stagnation, such as in edema, a cloudy mind, fatigue, and lethargy. 

Heat excitation – cleaver is cooling and moistening for people in hot conditions or when dryness is secondary to heat. For tissue irritation due to inflammation. 

Pharmacology

Polysaccharides – large sugar molecules that are not absorbed by the body but exert an effect when they come into direct contact with the lymph in the small intestines and by feeding gut bacteria.

Iridoid Glycosides – are bitter compounds that are anti-inflammatory, diuretic, Choleretic (stimulating bile production), and hepatoprotective (protecting the liver)

Flavonoids – polyphenolic compounds provide antioxidant protection and strengthen capillary walls, which support vascular and lymphatic function. 

Polyphenolic Acids (Hydroxycinnamic Acids): contribute to cleavers’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory 

Tannins – provide a mild astringent reaction. 

Citric Acid  – contributes to cleavers’ sour taste and plays a role in preventing kidney stone formation.

Coumarins – present in small amounts and contribute to cleavers’ subtle antispasmodic and antimicrobial effects. 

Actions

Foundational action

Foundational action is the associated with the energetic pattern and can be experienced viscerally in the body.

Cleavers is an extremely juicy plant that reduces friction on the inflamed mucus membrane. Its  foundational action is demulcent. 

Primary actions

Primary actions relate to organs, systems, or tissues.

Lymphatic – bring  gentle movement and cleansing into lymphatic vessels that may have become stuck or stagnant. By doing so, cleaver improves the elimination of waste products and the function of lymphocytes, immune cells that circulate through the lymphatic system. 

Alternative – classified as “blood purifier” or increases metabolic waste secretion. Cleaver was used for skin eruption due to lymphatic stagnation. 

nutritive tonic in the form of protein, minerals, and vitamins that provides deep nourishment and supports the body’s basic building and maintenance processes.

Diuretic – stimulates the kidneys to increase urine flow, thereby facilitating the excretion of metabolic waste products and excess fluid.

Secondary actions

Secondary actions imply an end result without specifying energetics or the systems affected. 

Anti-inflammatory – The polyphenols and flavonoids reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

Anti-lithic – The combination of mild diuretic and citric acids might prevent the formation of kidney stones. 

Organ affinity

• The lymphatic system
• The kidneys

Clinical Pattern

The Doctrine of Signatures, a theory developed by Paracelsus and widely cited in literature on medicinal plants, holds that certain physical attributes of plants serve as signs of their therapeutic value. Cleavers, being a juicy plant that thrives in moist soil, were associated with the water elements in the body, specifically the kidneys and lymph. 

It is hard to separate the clinical patterns of use into distinct categories, as they are all related to their effects on lymphatic flow. By improving lymph flow and elimination through the kidneys, cleavers support liver detox, “clean the blood,” reduce skin eruptions, and modulate the immune system.

Lymphatic decongestant

As a gentle diuretic and lymphatic decongestant, cleavers are used for heat, swelling, fever, and inflammation in the urinary tract and reproductive organs, as well as hepatitis, and venereal disease. 

Matthew Woods writes about cleavers:

“Galium stimulates the water-bearing system from the distant end of the lymphatics, under the skin, all the way through the kidneys. It connects up the lymphatic system from beginning to end, to bring all parts into communication.”

As a lymphatic decongestant, it is beneficial for swollen lymph nodes, especially around the ears and head, and the breasts (mastitis). It was traditionally used for sore throat, chronic swollen glands in children and infants. 

Urinary tract

A cooling demulcent herb, cleavers are beneficial for heat and dryness in the renal tract due to inflammation, infection, or interstitial cystitis. It is indicated for urinary tract irritation, frequent and urgent urination, incomplete urination, and scalding urination. 

The organic acids in cleavers that are responsible for its diuretic action are highly water soluble and volatile, which is exactly why dried cleavers lose their activity and why fresh plant juice or low alcohol tincture is the best extraction method. 

As a gentle diuretic, cleavers can also benefit people with mild kidney stones when the filtration pathways are clogged. A word of caution is to use cleavers only for small kidney stones, as you don’t want to try to flash large stones, which could damage the nephrons. 

Dr. Fredrick Locke (1895) wrote about cleavers:

“Galium is an excellent drug in active irritation or inflammation of any part of the urinary tract. It is a very good diuretic in fever, lowering the temperature and helping the function of the kidneys. The infusion stops the scalding of urine in gonorrhea when given in teaspoon doses.” 

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is, in many cases, associated with constipation and fluid stagnation in the pelvic floor. While cleavers can not prevent appendicitis, they can be beneficial for the recovery post surgical removal of the appendix. 

Skin conditions

 A wound is a disruption of the integrity of the tissue. Wound healing is the process that restores anatomic continuity and function of disrupted tissue. The process of wound healing can be divided into three overlapping stages: the inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling stages. 

Several factors can significantly slow tissue regeneration and wound healing, including bacterial Infection, oxidative Stress, and vascular insufficiency, which, in many cases, is associated with diabetes. 

A 2024 study found that cleavers accelerate wound healing by enhancing cell migration and wound closure, providing antibacterial support and antioxidant protection, and modulating the immune system. 

Cleavers were traditionally used for skin conditions. A 2020 study found that a juice of fresh cleavers increased the production of B and T cells, leading to increased cytokine levels, including TNF-alpha and IL-8, which are known to promote and enhance the wound-healing process. The immunomodulatory effects are attributed to the polysaccharides and pectin from cleavers, which appear to work synergistically. 

 For skin conditions, cleavers can be used both internally and topically. 

Preparation and dosage

Fresh Plant Juice (Succus): The gold standard preparation. Extract the juice from fresh, crushed cleavers using a blender, strainer, or juicer. Take 5-15 mL (1-3 teaspoons), 1-3 times daily. Can be frozen in ice cube trays for longer storage. This preserves the full spectrum of constituents and is the most potent preparation.

Fresh Plant Tincture: (1:2 in 25-40% alcohol). This is the preferred tincture method.

Use fresh cleavers harvested at peak potency. Take 3-5 mL, 3 times daily. Fresh plant tincture retains much more medicinal value than dried herb tincture.

Cold Infusion (Fresh Herb): Pour cold or room-temperature spring water over a large handful of fresh, crushed cleavers (approximately 30-50 grams). Steep for 2-4 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator. Strain and drink throughout the day. This is a traditional spring tonic preparation. The cold infusion preserves heat-sensitive constituents and has a pleasant, cucumber-like flavor.

Hot Infusion (Fresh Herb): Pour boiling water over 2-4 grams (1-2 teaspoons) of dried herb or a larger handful of fresh herb per cup. Steep covered for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink 2-3 times daily. Note: Fresh herb is strongly preferred as dried cleavers loses significant potency.

Poultice (Fresh Plant): Crush or chop fresh cleavers and apply directly to the skin for wounds, burns, skin irritations, or swellings. Cover with a clean cloth. Renew every few hours as needed. It can also be made into a wash by steeping fresh herb in hot water, cooling, and applying to affected areas.

Culinary: Young spring shoots can be eaten fresh in salads or lightly steamed as a potherb, though they become stringy as they mature. Historically used to curdle milk in cheese-making.

Dosage

Fresh Plant Juice: 5-15 mL (approximately 1-3 teaspoons), 1-3 times daily.

Fresh Plant Tincture (1:2, 25-40% alcohol): 3-5 mL (approximately 60-100 drops), 3 times daily.

Cold Infusion (Fresh): Drink freely throughout the day. Use a large handful (30-50 grams) steeped in 2-4 cups of water.

Safety

Generally Safe: Cleavers are considered very safe and non-toxic. It has a long history of use with minimal adverse effects reported. It is safe for children in appropriate doses.

Diuretics: May have an additive effect with pharmaceutical diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide (Lasix)). This is generally not problematic, but monitoring is advised if using both concurrently.

Lithium: As a diuretic, cleavers could theoretically reduce lithium clearance, potentially increasing lithium levels and the risk of toxicity. People taking lithium should use cleavers only under the supervision of a healthcare provider and with monitoring of lithium levels.

Diabetes Medications: One animal study suggested a hypoglycaemic (blood sugar lowering) effect. People with diabetes should monitor blood sugar when using cleavers therapeutically, as medication adjustments may be needed.

Blood Pressure Medications: Due to mild diuretic effects, caution is advised in people taking blood pressure medications or those with fluid retention. Monitoring is recommended.

Topical Reactions: Fresh cleavers may cause contact dermatitis or urticaria (hives) in sensitive individuals due to the hooked bristles and constituents. Test on a small area of skin first. Wear gloves when harvesting if skin sensitivity is a concern.

Edema of Unknown Origin: Use cautiously in edema (fluid retention) of unknown diagnosis, as swelling can be a symptom of serious underlying conditions (heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease) that require medical evaluation.

Oral Overdose: Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal irritation, including stomach upset and nausea. Stick to recommended doses.

Recipes for remedies