Cleavers

Related Terms

Acumin, amor-de-hortel? (Portuguese - Brazil), amor de hortelano (Spanish), anthraquinon, aparine (Italian, Portuguese - Brazil), asperuloside, asperulosidic acid, attacca mano (Italian), attacca veste (Italian), aucubin, barweed, bed-straw, bedstraw, Burre-Snerre (Danish), cafeic acid, caglio asprello (Italian), campestrol, catchweed, chlorogenic acid, citric acid, coachweed, cleever, clivers, coumarin, eriffe, erva-pegavosa (Portuguese - Brazil), everlasting friendship, flavonoid, gaillet (French), gaillet gratteron (French), gallotannic acid, Galium aparine, Gew?hnliches Kletten-Labkraut (German), gia mara, glucosides, goosebill, goosegrass, grateron, Grepagras (Norwegian), grip grass, harmine, hashishat al af'a (Arabic), hayriffe, hayruff, hedge clivers, hedgeheriff, iridoid glucosides, iridoidasperulosidic acid, Kaz Yogurtotu (Turkish), Kierumatara (Finnish), Kleber (German), Klebkraut (German), Klebriges Labkraut (German), Kleefkruid (Dutch), Klenge (Norwegian), Klengemaure (Norwegian), Klengjemaure (Norwegian), Kletten-Labkraut (German), Kletternde Labktaut (German), Klifurma?ra (Icelandic), Klimmendes Labkraut (German), Kr?kama?ra (Icelandic), Kr?kin steinbr? (Faroese), loveman, mutton chops, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, pega-pega (Portuguese - Brazil), philanthropon (Greek), Przytulia czepna (Polish), Pr?stelus (Danish), protopine, Ragad?s galaj (Hungarian), Robin-run-in-the-grass, Roomav madar (Estonian), rough bedstraw, Rubiaceae (family), rubichloric acid, saponins, scratweed, silicic acid, sitosterol, Sn?rjm?ra (Swedish), Sn?rm?ra (Swedish), stickyweed, sticky-willy, stickywilly, stigmasterol, Sv?zel pr?tula (Czech), tannins, Tene (Norwegian), Tirmanici yogurtotu (Turkish), Vitblommig sn?rjm?ra (Swedish), zhu yang yang (Chinese).
Note: Other Galium species, such as Galium spurium L. (False cleavers), will not be discussed in this monograph.

Background

Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a climbing plant native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It has been used to coagulate milk. According to some herbalists, cleavers is a good lymphatic and blood purifying tonic and is often used to treat swollen glands and skin eruptions caused by lymphatic congestion. It has also been recommended as a diuretic for chronic cystitis (inflamed bladder) and prostatitis (enlarged prostate), and has been used traditionally as a treatment for epilepsy. Currently, there is insufficient evidence in humans to support the use of cleavers for any indication.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Although not well-studied in humans, a version of the red clover combination tea modeled after the Hoxsey formula that contains equal parts red clover, burdock, dandelion root, sarsaparilla, Oregon grape, cleavers, buckthorn, poke, echinacea, licorice, ginger, and wild yam (1 tablespoon of the herbal combination simmered in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes) has been used at a dosage of 1/2 cup every 1-2 hours for one week.
Secondary sources claim that medium-strength doses of cleavers formulated using 2-4g of the dried herb, 2-4mL of a 1:1 25% fluid extract, or 4-10mL of a 5:1 25% tincture, may be taken three times a day.
Traditional practitioners have recommended that a tea made from the cleavers plant may be used internally and externally for the treatment of cancer. Other secondary sources claim that the juice of the plant may be more useful than a tea. There is insufficient evidence in humans, however, to support the use of cleavers for any indication.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Although not well studied in humans, cleavers may have diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antigout, antineoplastic, laxative, and hormonal properties. Caution is advised when taking cleavers with other agents that have these effects.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Ergun F, Deliorman. D, Velioglu A,. Sener. B. Antimicrobial activities of Galium species. GUEDE J Fac Pharm. Gazi. 1999;16: 7-11.
Lans, Turner N, Khan T, et al. Ethnoveterinary medicines used for ruminants in British Columbia, Canada. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2007 Feb 26;3:11. PMID: 17324258
Morningstar, H. W. Eat Your Weeds! Sentient Times: Alternatives for Personal & Community Transformation 1999;7(4):14-15.
Sener, B. and Ergun, F. Isolation and structural studies on the alkaloids of Galium aparine L. GUEDE J Fac Pharm Gazi 1988;5:33-40.
Temizer A, Sayin F, Ergun F, et al. Determination of total flavonoid in various Galium species by differential pulse polarography. 1996.
Tierra, M. American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter 1990;7(2):10.
Tzakou O, Couladi MM, Philianos S. Fatty acids and sterols in spring and winter samples of Galium aparine. Fitoterapia 1990;61:93.
Wisdom of an Elder: Dr. Douglas Kirkbride. Medical Herbalism: A Journal for the Clinical Practitioner 1996;8(3):14-15.