Cleavers

Cleavers

Latin Name: Galium aparine
Family: Rubiaceae

Part used: Entire aerial plant.
Energetics: Bitter, Sweet, salty, cold, dry
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • None known - can be given over long periods of time.
  • Safe for children
  • Safe in pregnancy
  • Safe in breastfeeding mums.

ACTIONS

  • Lymphatic
  • Alterative
  • Detoxifier
  • Anti-histamine
  • Diuretic
  • Adaptogen
  • Vulnerary
  • Astringent tonic
  • Aperient
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-obesity
  • Anti-neoplastic
  • Refrigerant

Main Constituents

  • Chlorophyll
  • Saponins
  • Anthraquinones
  • Coumarins
  • Tannins

Main Uses

Soothing diuretic. Can disperse hard swellings especially if used as a poultice.
Skin: Combines well with Marigold and Red Clover for chronic skin conditions. Urticaria, Burns, Dandruff, Eczema, Allergic rash
Immune System: Enlarged lymph nodes (especially cervical neck nodes), Sore tongue, Glandular fever
Urinary System: Obstructions in the urinary tract, Urinary disorders, Painful urination, Irritable bladder, Combines with Marshmallow and Uva ursi for cystitis
Endocrine: Nodular thyroid goitre, Ovarian cysts, Prostatitis. Aids weight loss.

Infections:
Bacteria: Mycobacteria
Viruses: Epstein-Barr virus

More About Cleavers

Cleavers is an important remedy for clearing heat from the urinary system and the liver. It has a strong diuretic effect which can help with all urinary tract infections It can help with many types of chronic skin eruptions clearing eczema, acne and boils.
It has a beneficial effect on lymphatic disorders, such as swollen glands, ME and tonsillitis. It purifies the blood and can help in cases of arthritis and gout.
In the ancient world Cleavers were used to treat cancer. Gerard wrote of Cleavers as a marvellous remedy for the bites of snakes, spiders and all venomous creatures. One of the founders of Roman medicine, Galen, described it as a cure for obesity writing 'it can make fat folk lean'.
Cleavers is an old treatment for one of the toughest of all skin problems; psoriasis, it is even thought to be able to help dissolve small kidney stones!
As a lymphatic tonic, it can assist in purifying the blood and lymph and supporting the immune system in clearing debris from the lymphatic circulation.
Cleavers have a very powerful reputation for such an unprepossessing plant!

Recipes:


Cleavers Pasta

Ingredients:

  • Approx. 944g of fresh cleavers
  • Approx. 944g of flour
  • Salt
  • Olive Oil

Method:

  1. Blanch cleavers in boiling water for 10-20 seconds, just until they turn dark green, then remove and place in an ice bath.
  2. Once cooled, place cleavers in the strainer and squeeze as much water out of them as possible. Cut the bunch roughly into 1” segments.
  3. Place cleavers in a blender and pulse a few times to break them up a bit. Add in 2 eggs, then blend until fairly smooth.
  4. In a large bowl, make a mound of flour into a volcano shape (roughly 4 cups of flour) and add a pinch of salt and a few splashes of olive oil to the centre.
  5. Add in the egg/cleaver mixture to the center. Use a fork to work in flour from the sides of the bowl, and continue until the dough doesn't take up any more flour. Scrape aside any excess flour.
  6. Work the dough for a few minutes until you have the right consistency- the edges should not look dry or crumbly and the dough shouldn’t be sticking to your hands. Add a few drops of cold water as needed if the dough is too dry, add a small amount of flour if the dough is too sticky.
  7. Once dough is the right consistency, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight. The dough needs to rest for an hour minimum for best results.
  8. Roll out dough and cut to desired shape.
  9. Cook pasta as you would normally and garnish the pasta to your preference.

References


Immunomodulatory/Immunostimulant

Immunomodulatory Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Infusions from Cleavers Herb
It was shown that both the raw extract and fractions show significant immunostimulatory and scavenging activities. The obtained data partially justify the traditional use of cleavers as topical remedy for skin infections and for wounds.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32824103/

Immunomodulatory

Phytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L
All G. aparine herb ethanolic extracts stimulate the transformational activity of immunocompetent blood cells, with 96% ethanolic extract being the most active.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31775336/

Breast Cancer

Effects of Galium aparine extract on the cell viability, cell cycle and cell death in breast cancer cell lines
Our study suggests that GA MeOH extract may have potential anti-cancer effects against breast cancer cells without impairing normal breast epithelial cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27085941/

Antioxidant

Evaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine
These results suggested that aqueous fraction can be a good source of antioxidant therapeutic in oxidative stress damages.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23211618/

Leukaemia Cells

Separation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase
Experimental results show that G. aparine L. petroleum ether contains mainly β-sitosterol, daucosterol and dibutyl phthalate and other substances. Under experimental conditions, the three could inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cell K562 with dose-effect and time-effect relationship, of which dibutyl phthalate has strongest activity.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27275108/

Back to top