You can see baby Cleavers (Galium Aparine) popping up just about everywhere now. It’s another of our wild herbs, considered by most to be nothing more than an invasive weed, that’s easy to recognise and which has many health benefits. Colloquially known as ‘sticky Willy’, (sometimes called ‘goose grass’ because apparently geese love it) its most obvious characteristic is its ability to stick to your clothes, or to your cat or dog’s fur due to the little hairs which coat its surface. In fact it’s this aspect that inspired the invention of Velcro. There’s not many plants that look like Cleavers and any that do are edible and safe to eat. However, one lookalike (Sweet Woodruff) can be toxic if eaten in large amounts. Cleavers, technically, is also edible, it’s just not very palatable. Even when young, Cleavers’ hairs are a bit too much for most people. You can still enjoy the benefits of raw Cleavers by juicing it, adding it to smoothies, or, my preferred method, making a cold-water decoction. Make sure to give it a rinse to get rid of bugs, then cover with cold water and leave overnight. Drink first thing in the morning. I guarantee that you will find it one of the healthiest, most refreshing and cleansing drinks you‘ve ever tried. Another remarkable thing about Cleavers is that it’s a member of the coffee family, so the seeds can be harvested, roasted and ground for use as a coffee substitute. They even contain small amounts of caffeine too! There are now numerous studies which support and confirm many of the health claims made about Cleavers.

- In studies Cleavers was found to contain chemicals which reduce cytokine inflammation and helps with many inflammatory conditions.

- It is particularly rich in antioxidants which scavenge for free radicals, boosting health and reversing signs of aging.

- The main health benefit attributed to Cleavers, apart from its anti-inflammatory properties is its capacity for lymphatic drainage and support of the immune system.

- There are now studies which conclude that Cleavers can kill cancer cells (by apoptosis and necrosis) without also damaging healthy cells. It was found to be of particular benefit to people with cancers of the breast and colon, amongst others.

- Cleavers is also a wound herb which can be used on inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis. It can be taken internally or used topically for skin conditions.

- Its diuretic properties flush toxins and waste from the kidneys, preventing a build-up of kidney stone causing minerals.

- Protects the liver from new damage as it helps the liver heal from previous damage.

- Its demulcent properties help protect the bladder from irritation and urinary tract infections. Ideal for soothing an inflamed urethra.

*Please note:

After centuries of use as a medicinal herb, so far, there are no known contraindications associated with using Cleavers. It’s really safe. However, as we’ve said before, everyone is different, and just because there are no reports of any problems with a herb, that doesn’t mean you can disregard safety concerns. Always start slow and dose low, until you know…

There is however, one very serious concern when harvesting Cleavers. It very often grows right beside plants like Hemlock - which will kill you. They don’t look alike, that’s not the issue. But if you harvest Cleavers by just ripping and pulling away clumps of it in your hands you may end up with some rather deadly plants hiding in amongst your Cleavers. When harvesting Cleavers we always do it VERY carefully in the first place, especially If we can see Hemlock growing nearby. Sometimes even by single strands. If that sounds like too much work, trust me, this is much less tedious than trying to prise apart the strands in a clump of Cleavers looking for Hemlock after you’ve harvested it. Check again before drying or turning it into medicine even though you harvested with a lot of care. Remember, you only need to wrong once to suffer serious, perhaps deadly, consequences.

We do not make any attempt to diagnose anyone’s condition or give individual health advice. Please check with your healthcare provider before adding any new herbs to your daily health regimen. We will not accept liability for any harm, loss or injury which may occur as a result of choosing to act upon the information provided. Please understand, you do so at your own risk.