In many cases wild uncultivated plants, often referred to as weeds are the most nutritional dense and valuable medicinal plants. This is definitely the case for cleavers. It is most prolific in the spring and early summer when the aerial part of the plant is collected before flowering and seed formation.
Cleavers because of its prostrate rambling nature has many unusual common names – Everlasting friendship, Love man, Grip Grass, Catch weed, Robin-run-in-the-Grass, Goose bill, Beggars Lice.
It is a poorly researched plant but clinically has been used for treatment of the Lymphatic system, as a diuretic, used for its astringent quality and to provide the mineral Silica for healthy skin, hair, nails and connective tissue. Silica is often referred to as the youth element and used to avoid stiffness and keep the body flexible.
Plant Preparation
A cooling Tisane: Gather the fresh plants bruise or chop roughly and add to cold water for an overnight water based preparation. It is cooling and refreshing to drink – it is slightly sweet and salty to taste.
A Plant Succus: Use a press juicer to make a fresh green, mineral rich juice. A small amount of apple can be pressed along with the cleavers to help push through the green juice.
