Galium aparine also known as cleavers, catch weed, sticky weed, goosegrass, bedstraw or sticky willy is one of the best, first spring medicinal plants. It is growing everywhere, very easy to find, and safe to use. The angles of its stalks and leaves are covered with little hooked bristles, which attach themselves to passing objects.
In herbal medicine it belongs to a class of herbs called alteratives, which means that it acts on the mechanisms that help with the detoxification. This is one of the reasons why Cleavers are so abundant in early spring, when we need to move some energy through our stagnant bodies, and when we are in need of fresh, green plants. It is traditionally used as a tea for a cleansing spring tonic. It is cool and dry, so is cooling heat and clearing toxins.
This plant is helping the body clear out toxins through the lymphatic system. One of the best herbs for inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes. It can also be used as a diuretic- aids the elimination of fluid toxins via the kidneys. Its cleansing properties are helpful in chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, acne vulgaris and rosacea, and eczema. It combines well with Calendula and Red Clover when it comes to skin health. Cleavers can be used in skin washes and as a hair rinse for dandruff.
Tincture and dried herb can be used, but Cleavers are the best as cold infusion. Use a small handful of fresh herb per cup. Or you can add a couple of springs to your green juice or smoothie.