Wise Mind Herbs

The information on this page has been prepared with reference to published scientific literature, not by a medically qualified expert. It is not medical advice. Any decision to use a supplement or herb-based product is your responsibility. Consult a suitably qualified medical professional, especially if you have underlying conditions. Remember, nothing is for everyone, and not everything sold is what it claims to be. Some things work for some people, some of the time.

Cleavers - Gallium aparine

Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a herbaceous annual plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is known by several common names including goosegrass, catchweed, sticky willy, grip grass, and robin-run-the-hedge. The plant is native to Europe, North America, and Asia and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

Image source and license: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flowers_February_2008-4.jpg.
Modified by Peter Jorgensen.

Botanical Classification and Related Species

Scientific name: Galium aparine L. (Linnaeus). It's important to note that Galium aparine should not be confused with other Galium species that may have different properties, such as Galium verum (lady's bedstraw) or Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff). Sometimes Asperula species (woodruffs) are mistakenly identified as cleavers due to similar appearance.

Reported Health Benefits

Scientific research on Cleavers is relatively limited compared to more extensively studied medicinal plants. Most claims about its medicinal properties are based on traditional use rather than rigorous clinical trials. The following represents the current state of research:

• Lymphatic system support: Traditional use suggests potential benefits for lymphatic drainage, but clinical evidence remains limited.
• Diuretic properties: Some preliminary research indicates mild diuretic effects, which may support kidney and urinary tract health.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: In vitro studies have shown modest anti-inflammatory activities attributed to flavonoids and polyphenols present in the plant.
• Antioxidant capacity: Extract of Galium aparine has demonstrated antioxidant properties in laboratory settings.
• Mild antimicrobial activity: Some research indicates potential against certain bacterial strains, though efficacy is modest compared to conventional treatments.

It's crucial to note that despite traditional claims, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support Cleavers as a "cure" for any specific condition. Most benefits remain theoretical or based on preliminary research.

Active Compounds

Cleavers contains several bioactive compounds including:

• Iridoid glycosides (primarily asperuloside)
• Polyphenolic compounds
• Flavonoids
• Tannins
• Organic acids
• Vitamin C (in fresh plant material)

Recommended Dosages

Due to limited standardization and clinical trials, there are no universally accepted evidence-based dosage recommendations for Cleavers. Traditional preparations vary widely:

• Dried herb: 2-4 grams daily, typically consumed as tea
• Tincture (1:5 in 25% alcohol): 2-4 mL, three times daily
• Fluid extract (1:1): 0.5-2 mL, three times daily
• Fresh juice: 5-10 mL, daily

No standardized extract potency exists in scientific literature. Most commercial preparations lack standardization for specific active compounds, making consistent dosing challenging.

Safety Profile and Side Effects

Cleavers is generally considered safe when consumed in amounts typically found in foods or as traditional herbal preparations. However, documented side effects include:

• Contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
• Potential gastrointestinal discomfort
• Possible hypotension with high doses

Contraindications include pregnancy and lactation (due to insufficient safety data), diabetes (may affect blood glucose levels), and scheduled surgery (potential anticoagulant effects).

High-Dose Studies

There is a significant knowledge gap regarding high-dose administration of Cleavers. No comprehensive toxicology studies have been conducted to establish upper safety limits or dose-response relationships. The absence of research on doses exceeding traditional recommendations represents a critical limitation in understanding both potential benefits and risks of higher concentrations.

Knowledge Gaps and Research Limitations

Several significant knowledge gaps exist in the scientific understanding of Cleavers:

• Absence of large-scale, well-designed clinical trials
• Limited pharmacokinetic data on active compounds
• Poor standardization of extracts used in existing studies
• Insufficient research on potential drug interactions
• Lack of comprehensive safety evaluations

References

Barros, L., Dueñas, M., Carvalho, A. M., Ferreira, I. C., & Santos-Buelga, C. (2012). Characterization of phenolic compounds in flowers of wild medicinal plants from Northeastern Portugal. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 50(5), 1576-1582.

Bokhari, J., Khan, M. R., Shabbir, M., Rashid, U., Jan, S., & Zai, J. A. (2013). Evaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 102, 24-29.

Deliorman, D. İ. D. E. M., Calis, I., & Ergun, F. (2001). Iridoids from Galium aparine. Pharmaceutical Biology, 39(3), 234-235.

Ilić-Stojanović, S., Nikolić, V., Kundaković, T., Savić, I., Savić-Gajić, I., Jocić, E., & Nikolić, L. (2018). Thermosensitive hydrogels for modified release of ellagic acid obtained from Alchemilla vulgaris L. extract. International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, 67(9), 553-563.

Semenescu, A. D., Moacă, E. A., Chioibaş, R., Iftode, A., Tchiakpe-Antal, D. S., Vlase, L., ... & Dehelean, C. A. (2023). Phytochemical and biological screening of aqueous Galium verum L. extract. The Annals of the University of Dunarea de Jos of Galati. Fascicle VI. Food Technology, 47(2), 172-189.

Vlase, L., Mocan, A., Hanganu, D., Benedec, D., Gheldiu, A., & Crisan, G. (2014). Comparative study of polyphenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of four Galium species (Rubiaceae). Digest journal of nanomaterials and biostructures, 9(3), 1085-1094.