Cleavers

Cleavers is a creeping plant with tiny hairs, clinging leaves, and sticky seeds that cling to passers-by. Found growing around the world, Galium aparine is an herbaceous annual in the Rubiaceae family. Cleavers is also called bedstraw after one of its historical uses as mattress stuffing. While the leaves and stems are eaten fresh on spring salads, dried cleavers herb is commonly tinctured, steeped as tea, or used topically.

Cleavers is a pasture plant of Britain and North America easily recognized by its clinging leaves and sticky seeds that attach themselves to passing people and animals. The entire plant is used in herbalism, harvested just before it blooms in early summer. Cleavers is related to both quinine and sweet woodruff. It has no odor, and a slightly bitter taste. Usually taken as a tea but can be eaten or ground fresh. Equally as suitable as an extract or capsule and may be lightly sprinkled on food as it has a fresh taste.