Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Cleavers is an herb. People use the parts that grow above the ground to make medicine.

Cleavers is used to increase urine flow to relieve fluid retention. It is also used for painful urination, enlarged or infected lymph nodes, and a skin condition called psoriasis.

People sometimes apply cleavers directly to the skin for ulcers, enlarged glands, breast lumps, and skin rashes.

How does it work?

Cleavers contains chemicals called tannins that might help reduce skin inflammation and have a drying (astringent) effect on the tissues.

Fluid retention.
Painful urination.
Psoriasis.
Enlarged lymph nodes.
Skin ulcers.
Breast lumps.
Skin rashes.

The appropriate dose of clivers depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for clivers. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Cleavers is SAFE for most people when taken appropriately by mouth. There isn’t enough information available to know whether cleavers is safe when applied to the skin.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking cleavers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: There is some concern that the juice that is squeezed out of cleavers might affect diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use cleavers.