Cleavers - Galium aparine: Common Weed with a Long History of Use

Cleavers is one of many common names for Galium aparine, a member of the Rubiaceae family or Madder family. Native to Central Europe and Western Asia, it found its way to North America via settlers who, no doubt, knew of its healing powers. Cleavers or Clivers has many common names including Sticky Willy owing to the bristly hairs on the leaves and stalk that allow the plant to cling to clothing or hair like Velcro. Used as a spring tonic herb, it is also an ingredient in formulas for urinary track infections and as a lymph mover. Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech is a good source for making medicinals. Herbal Remedies for Women by Amanda McQuade Crawford is another dependable resource. The video demonstrates how to identify, gather and dry Cleavers.
Books mentioned in the video:
"Making Plant Medicine" Richo Cech: amzn.to/42s052K
"Herbal Remedies for Women" Amanda McQuade Crawford: amzn.to/3CzRwZn

[@amandasshadow9605]

I live in Norfolk, VA and these plants started popping up for the first time in my backyard at the end of September! They're all over the place! It's now Oct. 2nd and holy crap! I've lived here for almost 7 years and have never seen these plants before now! So weird! Well, maybe not so weird. I live very close to the Botanical Gardens and we have new plants pop up every single year. Pretty sure it's from birds that eat at the gardens and poop in our yard. Well, a lot of birds must have pooped it because it's taking over the shady parts of the backyard! It's cool to know what it is! I just subscribed to you- thanks for this video! I will be adding some of it to my compost bin!

[@band1tt]

if you take cleavers and stinging nails, blend them together, sift it through a cloth or something and drink it, it's a miracle drug for eczema and psoriasis

[@szbyzan]

I just found it growing in my tomatoes

[@posgarden8828]

I have to make sure none is on me when I come inside. My cats loose it for this suff, I'm talking claws and all.

[@Herbalist-Pak]

Good information, thank you

[@sophrosyne3760]

Cleavers have taken over my yard and suffocates everything in its way. Good to know it can be repurposed.

[@debrahultgren4236]

It also pulls out very easily. Almost no roots.

[@reclaimingmypower]

Thank you for your information. Where can we buy cleavers making sure it's organic and not over priced.

[@user-sk9wy2vg2c]

What can you use in place of vodka

[@lindafisher6171]

Debra, do you know if one can make cleaver infused tea? The kind where you put one ounce of herb in a quart jar, fill with hot water, let cool down put in fridge, overnight strain then strain next day?

[@g.m.robertson8700]

Do I understand the drying is necessary,before any use,or that if you eat them do you cook them ?as in 'steaming'.

[@debrahultgren4236]

I make tea from fresh cleavers, tinctures from fresh and oils from dry. Tea in the winter from dry

[@meggiel.512]

Need to wash before drying?

[@debrahultgren4236]

I don’t wash as a rule if I am gathering plants that have not touched the ground. I cut them high enough off the ground so I am getting the clean parts. Sometimes I let the plant material lay out on a screen or table so any stray insects can escape. And… with other herbs I am preserving it depends on what my intended use is. I might rinse an herb I was going to use fresh in salad.

[@meggiel.512]

@@debrahultgren4236 Thank you so much for your detailed explination.

[@user-sk9wy2vg2c]

What can you use in place of vodka

[@kfitz192]

Glycerin or Apple cider vinegar.