Cleavers

Botanical Name Galium aparine

Family Name: Rubiaceae

Other Names, Goosegrass, Barweed, Hedgeheriff, Hayriffe, Eriffe, Grip Grass, Hayruff, Catchweed, Scratweed, Mutton Chops, Robin-run-in-the-grass, Loveman, Goosebill, Everlasting friendship.

TCM Name: Zhu Yang Yang

Meridians: Kidney, Liver, Bladder

Key TCM Actions & Medicinal Uses: Clears Damp Heat: psoriasis, eczema, swollen glands, fever, measles, scarlet fever, hepatitis. Moves Qi Stagnation: anxiety, moodiness, arthritis. Disperses Toxins/Reduces Swelling/Softens Stones: tumours, oedemas, bites, joint pain, sore throat, ear ache, swollen lymph nodes, kidney and bladder stones or gravel, wounds.

Description: Cleavers are an annual herbaceous plant in the family Rubiaceae, which contains over 3,000 species. The plant has creeping straggling stems that branch and grow along the ground and over other plants. The stems and leaves of cleavers are covered with small hooked bristles that attach to passing objects. These “hooks” are used by the plant to climb their way upwards through undergrowth to…