SO DYK
SKIN BARRIER & MOISTURE

Cleavers

Galium aparine

also known as goosegrass, stickyweed

Weak (modern) / moderate (traditional)

A common roadside weed with sticky little hooks that cling to clothes — also called goosegrass, sticky willy, or bedstraw. Traditional Western herbalism has used cleavers for centuries as a 'lymphatic' herb, supporting the body's drainage and elimination pathways. Modern clinical evidence is limited; the traditional use is the main story.

  • Long traditional Western herbal use to support the lymphatic system and the body's elimination pathways
  • Mild diuretic action — supports clearance of fluid
  • Traditional use for skin conditions when used as a tea or topical wash
  • Traditional use for swollen lymph nodes during minor infections
  • Generally very safe — used as a spring tonic across European folk medicine
  • Best prepared as a fresh-juice or cold-infusion preparation, which traditional herbalists prefer
  • Cleavers is in the same family as coffee — the dried, roasted seeds were used as a coffee substitute historically
Generally well tolerated; modern safety data is limited because the herb hasn't been extensively studied
Use caution with diuretic medications — additive water-loss effect
Use caution with blood pressure medications — mild lowering effect
Skip during pregnancy at medicinal doses
May cause skin irritation in sensitive people on contact with the fresh plant

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro

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