Cleavers

Cleavers, Galium aparine, aka sticky willy, bidibid, goosegrass, bedstraw and my favourite, velcro plant. Whatever you call it, it is popping up in springtime gardens.

Some people find it just annoying and when it dries off the seeds stick to our cats' fur. The hens love it and it's good ground cover to prevent other weeds coming through. It’s frost hardy and tends to die down once hotter drier weather kicks in.

Before you get rid of it all, it is actually a useful edible weed. Historically the flowers were used to curdle milk in cheesemaking. The fruits (seeds) when dried and roasted can be used as a coffee substitute. It is a member of the coffee family.

It is also a wonderful medicinal herb.

It is known for being a diuretic, as a mild astringent and having benefits for the lymphatic system. It has been shown to have antibacterial actions against Staphylococcus aureus. It has an affinity for the urinary system and for relieving kidney stones.

In practice the most common uses would be for swollen lymph glands and skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea.

Some good ways to use cleavers are:

🌱Infusion: pour boiling water over a large jar packed full of the leaves and leaving it to steep 4-6 hours.

🌱 Juice: freeze some as ice cubes for the hot or wintry months.

🌱Vinegar: is a large jar pack the leaves in and cover with apple cider vinegar. Leave in a cool dark place for 4 weeks, strain and use in salads or water.

🌱Externally: as a poultice mixed with ground linseed. Por boiling water over 1/2 cup ground linseed, mix in chopped cleavers. Place on inflamed skin after wrapping it in muslin.