Galium
aparine L.
1.
Nomenclature
Common
Name:
Cleavers
Irish
Name:
Garbh
Lus
Synonyms:
Clivers, Goose Grass, Sticky Willie, Barweed.
Hedgeheriff. Hayriffe. Eriffe. Grip Grass. Hayruff. Catchweed.
Scratweed. Mutton Chops. Robin-run-in-the-Grass. Loveman. Goosebill.
Everlasting Friendship, Sticky-backs (Dublin).
Family:
Rubiaceae
Parts
Used: Aerial
Parts, Freshly expressed juice
Classification:
Kingdom
Subkingdom
Superdivision
Division
Magnoliophyta–
Flowering plants
Class
Magnoliopsida–
Dicotyledons
Subclass
Order
Family
Rubiaceae–
Madder family
Genus
2.
Description
Habitat
& Distribution:
Galium aparine grows profusely in lowland thickets, road side verges,
railway embankments, scree slopes, shingle, along hedgerows, in
valleys and on waste ground, particularly in places where the earth
has been disturbed. It is a native plant of Ireland and is also
commonly found across Europe, the United States
and some parts of Asia, and occurs as far north as Alaska and
Greenland. It has been introduced as far south as Australia, New
Zealand, and the sub-Antarctic Islands. It can be a troublesome weed
of cereal crops (especially in Europe and North America). Heavy
infestation can cause significant yield losses, and its seeds can be
difficult to separate mechanically from those of crops such as
oilseed rape (canola).
Description:
Invasive,
creeping herbaceous annual with square stems reclining to ascending,
to +/-1.5m long, 4-angled, with retrorse prickles on margins of
angles, hollow, multiple from base, and branching. The leaves occur
in whorls of typically 8, sessile, linear-oblanceolate, mucronate to
cuspidate, scabrous, to +7cm long, -1cm broad, with retrorse
strigillose to retrorse prickle margins, midrib with prickles below.
Inflorescence - Axillary 2 to 5-flowered pedunculate cymes. Pedicels
elongating in fruit, glabrous to scabrous. Flowers - Corolla white,
4-lobed, tiny, to 3mm broad. Corolla tube to .5mm long. Lobes acute,
1.2mm long and broad, glabrous. Stamens 4, included, alternating with
lobes. Styles 2, included, pale yellow. Stigmas capitate,
pale-yellow. Ovary 2-carpellate. Calyx globose, hispid, 2mm in
diameter. Fruit biglobose, uncinate-hispid, to +/-5mm in diameter,
each carpel one seeded.
Two
forms have been determined - the rarer G.
aparine f. intermedium Bonnet
with smooth or tuberculate fruits without spiny hairs while the more
common G.
aparine f. aparine
has spiny hairs (Moore 1975.)
Conservation
Status:
Not threatened, species is widespread, occasionally known as a
'botanical hitch-hiker' it's ability to attach itself to fur and
clothing allows it to maintain wide distribution. It is found
throughout the British Isles (except in some places in the far north)
and appears to be increasing in abundance in recent years despite the
use of species-specific agricultural herbicides.
3.
Cultivation
The
herb is not generally cultivated owing to its horticultural
reputation as a weed and is harvested by wildcrafting. (See
Appendices). It might be gathered and used while still fresh for best
results. The whole plant is edible though generally only the aerial
parts are used. This weedy species is an annual that can be grown in
temperate regions, in parts of the garden managed for wildlife, as
either a summer or winter annual (or occasionally as a biennial). The
seed is thought to be viable for around 2-6 years unless frozen.
Seeds should be sown in moist soil, preferably a rich loam, with
above-average fertility and pH of 5.5-8.0. Seeds must be buried to
germinate, ideally at a depth of 2-10 mm. Seeds that have passed
through the gut of a herbivore are thought to have a higher
germination rate. Development is rapid with flowers appearing as soon
as eight weeks after germination. Ripe seeds develop from summer
through to autumn, depending on the region in which plants are grown.
Supports such as pea sticks can be provided, as this plant likes to
scramble. Plants will die down after the fruits are released at which
point seeds must be collected for next year’s plants. Each plant
can yield 300-400 seeds.
Note
that this plant can be invasive. In some parts of the world it is a
serious weed of crops and native vegetation, where it can out-compete
indigenous species. For this reason, if cultivating cleavers, care
should be taken to prevent its spread into farmland or sensitive
areas of conservation importance.
Harvest:
Aerial parts can be harvested in early summer just before flowering
to preserve sweet taste or following flowering and just as seeds are
forming and still succulent but before becoming too fibrous.
Ecology:
Cleavers are important in the regeneration of forests. The herb
thrives on soils rich in nitrogen though phosphorus is thought to
limit its spread (Journal
of Ecology 1999).
It prefers mildly acid to base-rich damp soils though is scarce in
sedge-swamp, reed bed and salt marsh ecosystems. It is also scarce in
certain woodlands, notably Salix
spp
and Quercus
spp.
The plant supports at least 40 different phytophagous insect species
(Taylor 2001).
4.
Mythology
Maud
Grieve tells us “ We
learn from Dioscorides that the Greek shepherds of his day employed
the stems of this herb to make a rough sieve, and it is rather
remarkable that Linnaeus reported the same use being made of it in
Sweden, in country districts, as a filter to strain milk; the stalks
are still used thus in Sweden.”
Used
as a love medicine by American First Nations, an infusion was used as
a bath by women to be successful in love. Also used as a hair tonic,
said to be good for the hair, making it grow long. Several tribes
used an infusion of the plant for gonorrhea. A red dye is obtained
from a decoction of the root, it is said to dye bones red. It was
also believed to remove freckles.
Allen
and Hatfield inform us that “Ireland's
uses have been largely different but even more diverse. While
tumours have been similarly among those (Derry), unlike Britain it
has produced records for burns (Westmeath, Wicklow), whopping cough,
swellings (Wicklow), inflammation in the bowels of children
(Donegal), stomach ache (Limerick) and 'softening the joints'
(Tipperary).”
In
many places cleavers were involved in various games, with the
tenacity of the plant to cling to clothing and hair suggesting
various references to love. Clumps were made into rough balls and
thrown at clothing. The number of stickers left on one’s clothing
indicated the number of suitors one could expect for example. Most of
its popular names concern its clinging nature. The Anglo-Saxon
hedgeherriff
means a tax gatherer or robber. The specific name of the plant,
aparine,
also refers to the plant's habit, being derived from the Greek aparo
(to
seize).
In
Native American cultures cleavers are also known as 'deer medicine'
as the animals are known to sleep or give birth in clumps of the
herb. It is considered a birthing remedy in that tradition.
Culpeper
tells us the galiums come under the influence of the Moon, though
Scott Cunningham suggests it is influenced by Saturn.
5.
Energetics
Taste:
Sweet, moist, aromatic, slightly bitter and salty, very slight
vanilla flavour noted.
A
cooling herb for detoxification and heat patterns.
6.
Medicinal Uses
Classification:
Diuretic
Actions:
Diuretic, lymphatic, nervine (Matthew Wood), hypotensive, mild
laxative, alterative, aperient, tonic, non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, astringent, antilithic,
antibacterial, nutrient, refrigerant, vulnerary, hepatic,
antinodular, adaptogen, anti-obesity (Thomas Bartram)
Uses:
Used for swollen glands, tonsillitis, tumours, cysts, cystitis,
eczema, psoriasis, cramps, cancer adjunct, nervousness, UTI,
prostatitis, epilepsy , oedema, calculi, gout, prostaglandin
modulation (due to asperuloside content), sunburn, gonorrhea (Dr
Christopher)
Galium's
alterative and diuretic actions make it an effective lymphatic tonic
and it is used in the treatment of a wide range of problems involving
the lymphatic system, including lymphadenitis, tonsillitis, glandular
fever and enlarged adenoids. It is particularly useful in the
treatment of toxic conditions associated with tissue oedema and water
retention. There is a long tradition for the use of Galium in the
treatment of ulcers and tumours, which may be due to lymphatic
drainage. It is also used internally and topically to treat skin
conditions, particularly dry conditions such as psoriasis. An
infusion of the herb may be used as a hair rinse for dandruff or
seborrhea. It may also be applied to burns and abrasions.
Galium
can be used to treat cystitis and other urinary conditions where
there is pain, such as calculi, colic or strangury, where it is
combined with demulcent herbs. The red dye galiosin is similar to the
dye in Galium’s relative, Rubia
tinctoria (madder);
this has specific anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic effects on the
urinary tract and may contribute to Rubia’s litholytic action in
the urinary system (it stains the urine red). Galium is also reputed
to help reduce blood pressure and to cool the body during fevers. The
iridoid asperuloside is a mild laxative.
Gerard
recommends Clivers as 'a
marvellous remedy for the bites of snakes, spiders and all venomous
creatures'
and, quoting Pliny, suggests: 'a
pottage made of Clivers, a little mutton and oatmeal is good to cause
lankness and keepe from fatnesse.'
Culpeper recommended the herb for earache.
Thornton's
New
Family
Herbal
of 1810 offers:
"Dioscorides
mentions an ointment of great efficacy made from the expressed juice
of this plant mixed with hog's lard for discussing tumours in the
breast; and Gaspian, an Italian, adopted the same with great success.
After some eminent surgeons have failed, I have ordered the expressed
juice mixed with linseed meal, to be applied to the breast, with a
teaspoon of the same to be taken while fasting in the morning; and
this plan after a short time has removed very frightful and indolent
tumours of the breast. It is supposed to be useful in scurvy and for
hemorrhages of the nose and spitting of blood. Boerhavve says its
leaves made into teas are an excellent remedy in epilepsy and gout."
The
American eclectic Dr John Scudder in Specific
Medication
(1884) tells us:
"The
first use of Galium is to relieve irritation of the urinary
apparatus, and to increase the amount of urine. For this purpose it
will be found one of our best remedies. In dysuria and painful
micturation it will frequently give prompt relief. It has recently
been employed in cancer, used locally and internally. A case of a
hard nodulated tumor of the tongue is reported in the British Medical
Journal as having been cured with it."
Specific
Indications:
Lymphatic system, kidney, itching skin, cancer adjunct
Combinations:
Combines with Field Cranesbill (Geranium
spp)
for kidney issues
Phytolacca
decandra
and Echinacea
angustifolia
as a general lymphatic tonic
Marshmallow
(Althea officinalis)
for renal calculi
Ground
Ivy (Glechoma
hederacea)
and Bladderwrack (Fucus
vesiculosis)
for blood and glandular issues
Bearberry
(Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi and
Buchu (Barosma
betulina)
for kidney issues
Iceland
Moss (Cetraria
islandica)
and Marshmallow (Althea
officinalis)
for cystitis
Rumex
crispus
and Arctium
lappa
for skin complaints.
Preparations:
Fresh tincture (1:5 25%)/(1:3 45%)/(1:1 25%), infusion, fresh juice,
poultice, compresses. There are current investigations concerning the
seed heads.
7.
Other Uses
The
seeds of Cleavers form one of the best substitutes for coffee; they
require simply to be dried and slightly roasted over a fire, and so
prepared, have much the flavour of coffee. They have been so used in
Sweden. The whole plant gives a decoction equal to tea, according to
Grieve. Bartram mentions the plant is used as a vegetable in China.
Cleavers can be eaten as a vegetable, gently sweated in a pan like
spinach. The juice is a popular spring tonic in Central Europe, the
Balkans and elsewhere. In France, the crushed herb is applied as a
poultice to sores and blisters. Geese are fond of this herb, also
known as goosegrass, and it is often fed to poultry. Greek shepherds
used the stems to make sieves for straining milk, and Linnaeus
reported the same use being made of them in Sweden as mentioned
earlier.
The
roots are used as a red dye and if eaten by birds will tinge their
bones.
Homeopathy:
In homeopathy used as Gal-A
in adjunct cancer therapy. According to Boercke Galium
acts on the urinary organs, is a diuretic and of use in dropsy,
gravel and calculi, dysuria and cystitis. Has power of suspending or
modifying cancerous action. Has clinical confirmation of its use in
cancerous ulcers and nodulated tumors of the tongue. Inveterate skin
affections and scurvy. Favors healthy granulations on ulcerated
surfaces. Galium
aparine treatment
for Dose ailments: Fluid extract; half-dram doses, in cup of water or
milk, three times a day.
Aromatherapy:
Not used.
8.
Phytochemistry
Iridoid
glycosides, phenolic acids (caffeic, gallic), anthraquinone
derivatives (roots), flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, alkanes, citric
acid, rubichloric acid, galitanic acid, red dye (including galiosin).
Monotropein,
asperuloside, acumin, aucubin, protopine, harmine, (±)-vasicinone,
(-)-l -hydroxydeoxypeganine, (-)-8-hydroxy-2,3-dehydrodeoxypeganine,
p-hydroxybenzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, silicic acid, caffeic acid,
p-coumaric acid, flavonoid, anthraquinon, cholesterol, campestrol,
stigmasterol, sitos-terol, DELTA[5]-avenasterol,
DELTA[7]-stigmasterol, DELTA[7]-avenasterol, asperulosidic acid, and
10-deacetylasperulosidic acid have all been isolated from the aerial
parts of Galium
aparine.
Other
constituents isolated from the aerial parts include anthraquinon,
iridoid glucosides, saponins, citric acid, coumarin, rubichloric
acid, gallotannic acid, galiosin, and tannins.
9.
Dosage
- Tincture (1:5 25%) 4-10ml
- Fluid Extract (1:1 25%) 2-4ml
- Infusion (2-4g TDS) in adjunct cancer therapy as much as can be tolerated
- Fresh juice (15-45ml expressed)
10.
Contraindications
Regarded
as non-toxic and safe. Mills and Bone - pregnancy category B2,
lactation category C – compatible with breast feeding. No
contraindications or adverse reactions have been noted in published
data. Depuratives may be provocative in skin conditions. Care
required to avoid exacerbation. It is suggested diabetics only use
the expressed juice with caution though there is no data to support
this. Those with a known sensitivity to Rubiaceae should avoid this
plant.
Some
medicines may interact with Galium, so they should not be taken
together. When taking this herb, avoid these substances, as the
combination may cause undesirable interactions.
Bendroflumethiazide;
Chlorothiazide;
Chlorthalidone;
Hydrochlorothiazide;
Hydroflumethiazide;
Indapamide;
Methyclothiazide;
Metolazone;
Polythiazide;
Spironolactone;
Triamterene;
Trichlormethiazide.
Although
not well studied in humans, cleavers may have diuretic,
anti-inflammatory, anti-gout, antineoplastic, laxative, and
hormonal properties. Caution is advised when taking cleavers with
other agents that have these effects.
There
are a number of theoretical interactions. Theoretical
interactions are based on the mechanisms of individual
constituents in isolation, and do not necessarily reflect the
action of the whole herb.
Some
interactions between this supplement and certain medicines
require more explanation to the patient before taking these
substances. Bumetanide;
Furosemide;
Torsemide.
11.
Research
Dr.
William Cook's 1869 Herbal suggests Galium "is
a peculiarly soothing relaxant, acting upon the kidneys and bladder.
It secures a goodly increase of the watery portion of the urine, thus
rendering this secretion less irritating than it sometimes gets to
be. Its action is light and diffusive, and it is suited only to acute
cases; but is among the truly valuable agents in all forms of
scalding urine, as in oxalic acid gravel, irritation at the neck of
the bladder, and the first stages of gonorrhea. It is apparently
somewhat soothing to the nervous system. It has been lauded for skin
diseases, but probably without good grounds".
Very
little modern research has been carried out on this herb in respect
of its medicinal potential, although a number of bioactive
constituents have been isolated (Li Juan et al). Like Arctium
lappa
(burdock), however, it has a strong reputation among traditional
herbalists as a blood purifier and lymphatic herb. It is used today
as a cooling remedy in fevers and inflammations, for swollen glands,
and for urinary tract infections. It’s lymph promoting properties
are partly responsible for its “blood purifying” effects. An
increased flow of lymph promotes enhanced circulation of the immune
components of the lymph glands, including T-cells and antibodies.
R.
Elwyn Hugh’s' 1990 Medical
History
refers to the anti-scorbutic properties of Galium.
In
horticulture various auxins have been isolated for use in herbicides
and other harmful preparations. (Grossman et al). Research by Trim in
1952 revealed the concentrations of asperuloside in various parts of
the plant, especially in the roots and aerial shoots).
Frances
et al in a 2003 study found the herb was useful as an adjunct in
psycho-emotional disorders. In 2009 Elizabeth Mazzio and her team
looked at the reputed anti-tumour effect of a number of herbs
including Cleavers, noting a weak tumorcidal effect. Romero et al
(Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 99, Issue 2, 3 June 2005, Pages
253-257) investigating the antibacterial of 23 herbs including
Galium aparine
for potential anti-bacterial action noted positive effects against
Staphylococcus
aureus.
Research in 2008 by Khan et al demonstrated the hepato-protective
effect of Galium
aparine
noting the herb was more effective as a curative agent rather than a
preventive agent. F. Quinlan, as far back as 1883, demonstrated its
efficacy in the treatment of leg ulcers in a Clonmel man. Thring et
al in an investigation of 21 herbs for anti-oxidant activity and
inhibition of proteinases gained positive results from Galium
aparine.
Further research is deemed necessary to elaborate on the various
virtues of this plant, however its long traditional use is testament
to its efficacy.
12.
Sources
- Tierra, M. American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter 1990;7(2):10.
- Lans, C., Turner, N., Khan, T., Brauer, G., and Boepple, W. Ethnoveterinary medicines used for ruminants in British Columbia, Canada. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 2007;3:11.
- 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.
- Tzakou, O., Couladi, M. M., and Philianos, S. Fatty acids and sterols in spring and winter samples of Galium aparine. Fitoterapia 1990;61:93.
- Bartram, T. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Bone, K & Mills, S, Encyclopedia of Herbal Safety
- Nutri – Online website
- Frances D. Botanical Interventions in the Treatment of Psychoemotional Disorders Journal of the American Herbalists Guild. 2002;Fall/Winter:12-18.
- William Cook, The Physio-Medical Dispensatory, 1869
- Deliorman, D., Çaliþ, Ý., and Ergun, F. Iridoids from Galium aparine. Pharmaceutical Biology 2001;39(3):234-235.
- Muhammad Aman Khan, Jehanzeb, Shafiullah, Salman A Malik, Muhammad Shafi, Hepatoprotective effects of Berberis lycium, Galium aparine and Pistacia integerrima in Carbon tetrachloride (ccl4)-treated rats, J Postgrad Med Inst Apr - Jun 2008;22(2):91-4. http://www.pakmedinet.com/14389
- Christopher David Romero, Suzzette Fontenelle Chopin, Gregory Buck, Elvia Martinez, Michelle Garcia, Lisa Bixby, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 99, Issue 2, 3 June 2005, Pages 253-257
- R. Elwyn Hughs, Med Hist. 1990 January; 34(1): 52–64. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1036000/?tool=pmcentrez
- F. J. B. Quinlan, Galium aparine as a Remedy for Chronic Ulcers, Br Med J. 1883 June 16; 1(1172): 1173–1174. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2372573/
- Scudder, John, 1884, Speficic Medication and Specific Medicines 4th revision, 11th Edition (Baldwin & Co)
- Thornton, Robert John, 1812, The New Family Herbal, (Richard Philips Edition)
- Tamsyn SA Thring, Pauline Hili and Declan P Naughton, Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants, BMC Complement Altern Med. 2009; 9: 27. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2728709/?tool=pmcentrez
- Elizabeth A. Mazzio and Karam F. A. Soliman, In Vitro Screening for the Tumoricidal Properties of International Medicinal Herbs, Phytother Res. 2009 March; 23(3): 385–398. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2650746/?tool=pmcentrezCompiled by Belfast Herbalist
Wow! Thank you. This is the most informative cleavers monograph I have ever read!
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