Cleavers
A cooling, moistening lymphatic and eliminative herb traditionally used to clear heat and stagnation from the lymphatic, urinary, and integumentary systems. Cleavers supports kidney function, reduces edema, soothes irritated tissues, and promotes gentle detoxification through improved lymphatic and urinary flow.
A cooling, moistening lymphatic and eliminative herb traditionally used to clear heat and stagnation from the lymphatic, urinary, and integumentary systems. Cleavers supports kidney function, reduces edema, soothes irritated tissues, and promotes gentle detoxification through improved lymphatic and urinary flow.
Cleavers reduces swelling and edema in the hands, feet, face, eyelids, and breasts, and offers long-term support for dysuria, bladder irritation, benign prostatic hypertrophy, nephritis, and other urinary inflammatory conditions. As a mild diuretic, it can help manage UTIs when paired with antimicrobial herbs. It assists in clearing metabolic byproducts such as uric acid and may be beneficial in long-term protocols for gout, arthritis, and kidney stones. Cleavers supports detoxification through the lymphatic system, reducing tender or enlarged lymph nodes associated with colds, flu, mononucleosis, or herpes infections when combined with antimicrobial herbs. Internally and externally, it supports tender breasts, fibrocystic changes, and benign breast lumps, and can serve as adjunct support during and after conventional breast cancer treatment.Topically, the fresh succus reduces inflammation, itching, and irritation from abrasions, burns, cuts, bites, stings, rashes, dermatitis, eczema, and poison oak. Its cooling, moistening energetics help soothe skin conditions aggravated by systemic heat or impaired elimination.
Across Scandinavia, cleavers was used to filter milk. Roasted seeds have been noted to resemble coffee in flavor. The herb was rubbed on hands to remove pitch and used dried as a fire starter. The Ditidaht used cleavers as a hair rinse for thick, lustrous hair, while the Cree used the dried herb as a perfume. Young shoots were often eaten as a spring pot herb.
An annual, scrambling herb with slender quadrangular stems 20–200 cm long, covered in backward-hooked prickles that allow the plant to cling to surrounding vegetation. Leaves arise in whorls of 6–8 per node, narrow and linear-lanceolate with hooked hairs along the margins and underside midrib. Small white to greenish-white four-petaled flowers appear in axillary cymes. The fruit is a paired, bristly schizocarp with hooked hairs that easily adhere to fur and clothing.
No major contraindications. Individuals with significant edema or underlying medical conditions should consult a healthcare practitioner.
Fresh foliage 1:2–1:3 (70–95% ethanol).
Dose: 30–90 drops up to 4× daily.
Fresh juice preserved with 10–20% alcohol; refrigerate.
Dose: 1–2 teaspoons up to 3× daily or applied topically as needed.
Fresh foliage 1:2 in apple cider vinegar.
Dose: 30–90 drops up to 4× daily.
Hot or cold infusion.
Dose: 4–12 ounces, 2–4× daily.
Wilted leaves infused in oil, then used as a salve, wash, or oil.
Dose: As needed.
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, all relevant CHSHS lectures.