Family Name: Rubiaceae
Botanical Name(s): Galium aparine
Popular Name(s): Goosegrass, Catchweed, Stickyweed, Coachweed.
Parts Used: The complete herb
Habitat: Cleavers is abundantly found in Europe and in North
America.
Description: Cleavers has long stem which sprawls over the
ground and other plants and generally reaches a height of 1-1.5 m. The
leaves of the stem are simple, lance-shaped and borne in whorls of six
to eight. The leaves have fine hairs tipped with tiny hooks. The
flowers, occurring two or three together, spring from the axils of the
leaves and are small, star-like and are either white or greenish-white.
The fruits are clustered together and each seed possesses a diameter of
4-6 mm.
Uses: Cleavers has diuretic, alterative and aperient properties.
It is used to cure scurvy, scrofula, psoriasis and skin diseases and
eruptions. Its use is recommended in dropsical complaints as it operates
with considerable power upon the urinary secretion and the urinary
organs. The herb is used against the cancerous growths and allied
tumours. The ointment made from the leaves and stems of the plant is
used to dress the ulcerated parts.
