Cleavers Powder

Also Know 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.

Wild Crafted in the USA

Overview - A popular herb in folk medicines throughout the centuries, cleavers or goosegrass is a vigorously growing weed that twines through hedges or garden shrubberies producing long sticky stems. The young shoots are some of the first weeds to appear in spring and make an excellent cleansing tonic, a remedy widely used in central Europe and the Balkans. Also cooked as a vegetable, like spinach.

•  A medical herbalist reported the case of an overweight woman who took daily infusions of cleavers. During the first month nothing happened, but on the fifth week she began slowly losing weight, and at the end of 6 months her weight was down to normal. She had lost a total of 32 lbs. and has not put them back on again.

Parts Used - The above ground parts of the plant, dried and ground into powder. Color may vary from lot to lot from brownish green to tan.

Medicinal Uses - Irritations of mucous membranes, tonsillitis, including those of the urinary tract, arthritis, jaundice, dropsy. The juice of the fresh plant or a tea made from the dried plant is popular for skin problems. The juice or tea is applied daily and allowed to dry (before each application, wash the affected area with rectified alcohol, burning the cloth each time). If preferred, make a salve for the skin by mixing the fresh juice with butter (renew every 3 hours and burn the cloth used to apply it). Applying the crushed fresh leaves directly is also said to be helpful for skin problems and for stopping bleeding. Cleavers is used in Europe for healing wounds and sores, psoriasis, cysts, boils, swellings or for treating skin infections, swollen lymph glands, snakebites. Makes a good face wash to clear the complexion.

• An infusion can be used to stimulate the kidneys, to help the body eliminate excess water, help cure cystitis, and to expel kidney stones. Juice of fresh herb used for scurvy. Juice contains citric acid, reported to have antitumor activity. The cold infusion removes freckles when applied externally.
• Due to its refrigerant properties it is excellent in all cases of fever, scarlet fever, measles, and all acute diseases.
• Good in scrofula and inflammatory stages of gonorrhea.
• Cleavers (Galium aparine) which the Chinese call Chu-yang-yang, was considered by the ancients as an excellent remedy for obesity and also for cleansing the blood.
• Used as a lotion it makes a first-rate tonic for the scalp, which clears it of dandruff, and the skin. It was once held to cure leprosy and is still used to treat skin cancer.
• The ancient Greeks matted it together to make a natural, rough sieve, supposedly for straining milk. 

Suggested Preparations - Usually taken as a tea, but can be eaten or ground fresh.

• Infusion: steep 1 oz. dried herb in 1 pint warm (not boiling) water for 2 hours. Take 2 to 8 tbsp., 3-4 times a day. May sweeten with honey.
• Fluid extract: half-dram doses in a cup of water or milk, 3 times daily.
• Tincture: take 20-30 drops in water, as required. 

Precautions - None known. This herb may be used freely. But it should be taken for only 2 weeks at a time, and then skip 1-2 weeks.

Disclaimer - These products are not intended to diagnose, treat cure or prevent any disease. Reviews are not intended as a substitute for appropriate medical care or the advice of a physician or another medical professional. Actual results may vary among users. Mountain Maus Remedies LLC makes no warranty or representation, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or validity of the information contributed by outside product review submissions, and assumes no responsibility or liability regarding the use of such information. The information and statements regarding the dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. If you have a medical condition or disease, please talk to your health care provider. If you are currently taking a prescription medication, you should work with your health care provider before discontinuing any drug or altering any drug regimen, including augmenting your regimen with any herb or dietary supplements. Do not attempt to self-diagnose any disease or ailment based on the reviews and do not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Proper medical care is critical to good health. If you have a health concern or suspect you have an undiagnosed sign or symptom, please consult a physician or health care practitioner.