Cleavers, Galium aparine

Just like that Spring has wrapped my world in green, again. As the days become shorter in the Autumn, I see the colorful leaves fall in the cool breezes.  I become sad when the frost kisses my botanical companions, they drift off to sleep in the winter. With that ends my opportunity to study each one and its amazing abilities to help the human species.  With the excitement of Spring, I say HELLO! once again to the wonderful beings that reflect my heavenly Father’s creativity and glory. I love green and all it represents including every color that is painted across the Spring and Summer Skies. The warmth of the sun on my skin, the beautiful blue skies, and the amazing botanical world. For a quick eight to nine months, I get to study this plant and fungi world God has made for me and you.

Let’s talk about the clever Cleavers. Do you know there exist over 100 different species of Galium. The specific species that visits my place every spring is the annual G. aparine.

Cleavers is a cheery plant that likes to stick closer than a brother with its tiny hooked hairs, which point downwards, can stick to anything that passes by. Cleavers grows to a length of about 2-3 feet but some have the potential to grow up to 6 feet. The leaves are medium-to-dark green in color and are narrow, lance-shaped, prickly, and organized in distinctive whorls numbering about 6-8.

Some Agriculturist has given the label invasive. I think that depends on how you value this unique plant. Maybe to the traditional farmer who sees it as a threat to its row crops and such, Cleavers would most definitely be an issue. To someone like myself, I see a gentle reminder, it’s time to repair and cleanse the body.

Take a moment with me to look at the phytochemical characteristics and chemical constituents of our clinging Cleavers. G. aparine is loaded with lipophilic complex. This complex is insoluble in water and water-alcohol mixtures. Cleavers contains phenols, tannins of course (what does not have tannins. Very few things), Alkaloids, anthraquinones (a neat chemical that brings in color or aromatics but also used as laxatives and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents not to forget to highlight the therapeutic actions for arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.) coumarins, iridoids, asperuloside, alkanes, flavonoids, and saponins.

Like many other plants, G. aparine contains Saponins. According to a 2012 article published in the “Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology,” saponins have specific chemical structures that help them destroy fungus, yeast, viruses, and bacteria, most notably E. coli. Saponins have the potential to destroy cancerous cells, too. The compounds might also be useful in treating and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Not only is Cleavers great for internal issues such as urinary infections, and lymphatic situations like tonsillitis to more serious diseases like lymphedema. It has external benefits as well. Applying an infusion or a decoction of the fresh herb to the skin gives support for a range of skin conditions including dry eczema, psoriasis, scrofula, scurvy, and burns. Additional indications include scarlet fever and nodular growths within the skin to be effectively improved with Cleavers.

Cleavers has blood purifying actions that rid the body of toxins. Makes you want to run out and grab a handful and throw it right into a salad, right? Take my word for it, what some texture! You could throw some in a vegetable soup. Just chop leaves and stems, add in with the other ingredients. Also, the tender shoots can be boiled and buttered as a vegetable. Think green lipophilic complex vitamin C soup goodness. Interesting history, Cleavers has been used to curdle milk to make cheese and the seeds ground for coffee.

Let’s make Cleavers Tea!

You’ll Need:

5-10 fresh cleavers plant leaves and a few pieces of stem

1.5 cup of boiled water

A tea strainer

A knife

Honey or sugar (optional)

1/2 tbsp of lemon juice (optional)

Directions

Firstly, take a teapot, kettle or a sauce pan and filled it with 1.5 cup of boiled water.

After that, properly chop the fresh cleavers leaves and stems, add them to the boiled water.

Wait for 5-10 minutes. Then, use a tea strainer to strain the Cleavers from the tea.

Pour the tea into your favorite cup, add honey or sugar, and a 1/2 tbsp of lemon juice.

Enjoy!! Cleaver Blessings to my friends!

References:

Duke, J. A. (1992). Hatfield, G. (2008). Mabey, R. & Blamey, M. (1974).

(Grieve, 1931/1971). (Wood, 2008). (Hoffmann, 1986). Winston (2003).

Al-Snafi, Ali. (2018). CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND MEDICAL IMPORTANCE OF GALIUM APARINE-A REVIEW. 10.5281/zenodo.1210517.