Cleavers
BotanicalGalium aparineAlso calledGoosegrass, Sticky willy, Catchweed, Bedstraw
The sticky, scrambling spring weed that clings to your clothes, steeped into a fresh, grassy green tea or cold infusion.
Anyone who has walked along a hedgerow in spring knows cleavers, even if not by name. Its long, square stems are covered in tiny hooked hairs that make whole sprigs cling to socks, sleeves and the fur of passing dogs. Children call it sticky willy. Dried, it makes a pale green tea that tastes fresh and grassy, like a cut lawn after rain.
Cleavers is a Western folk herb rather than an Ayurvedic one. In European and British herbalism it was a spring tonic, used for the lymph and the skin, and it still has a monograph in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. We found no reliable Ayurvedic profile for it, so we have not rated its tastes or energetics here.
Ayurvedic Properties
Not described in classical Ayurveda, and we have not found a reliable modern Ayurvedic profile, so most of its energetics are shown as unknown. Some Western herbalists describe it as cooling, but we found no reliable Ayurvedic source.
- RasaTastes
- Not known
- ViryaHeating or cooling
- Not known
- VipakaPost-digestive effect
- Not known
- AgniEffect on digestion
- Not known
There is no Ayurvedic basis; it is taken as a light spring tea rather than for digestion.
- GunaQualities
- Not known
- TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
- Vata: not known
- Pitta: not known
- Kapha: not known
- ↓decreases (calms that dosha)
- ↑increases (can aggravate it)
- =neutral or balancing
- ?not known
- V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha
Cleavers has no established place in Ayurveda, so we do not rate its effect on the doshas. In Western herbalism it is thought of as a light, cooling spring green.
Traditional Uses
- Traditionally used to support the lymphatic system in Western herbal practice.
- Traditionally used to support clear, comfortable skin, taken as a tea or applied as a wash.
- Traditionally used to support the body's natural fluid balance as a spring tonic.
How People Use It
- TeaSteep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried cleavers in a cup of just-boiled water for 10 minutes, then strain.
- WaterFor a cold infusion, the way many herbalists prefer it, put 2 teaspoons of dried herb in a jar of cool water, leave it in the fridge for 4 to 8 hours, then strain.
- TopicalA cooled, strained infusion can be used as a simple skin wash. Patch-test first.
Spring Cleavers and Mint Cold Infusion
A light, green jar to keep in the fridge on warm spring days.
- 2 teaspoons dried cleavers
- 1 teaspoon dried calendula petals
- A few fresh mint leaves
- 2 cups cool water
- Put the cleavers, calendula and mint in a glass jar.
- Pour over the cool water, cover and leave in the fridge for 4 to 8 hours.
- Strain and drink at cool room temperature rather than ice cold.
- Drink within a day.
Pairs Well With
Cautions
- There is little research on the safety of cleavers in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Avoid it unless your doctor or midwife approves.
- Cleavers is traditionally considered a mild diuretic. If you take water pills or other regular medicines, or have kidney disease, check with your doctor first.
- The hooked hairs on the fresh plant can irritate sensitive skin. Patch-test any wash before using it more widely.
- Little formal safety research exists for cleavers. Please consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor before using it regularly.
In Our Shop
Organic Cleavers Herb, from $4.75. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.
Shop Cleavers →Sources and Further Reading
This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.