Botanical Name: Galium aparine
Energetics: Cooling, moistening
Major Properties: Lymphatic, relaxing, detoxifier
Examples of Uses: easing issues with urination, kidney and prostate issues, lymph mover, dryness
Parts Used: Aerial parts early in season while still vibrant
Preparations:
Tincture (I've only used it as a tincture)
Can also be used as a cold infusion - pour cold water over freshly gathered aerial parts, cap
tightly, let sit overnight and sip through next day.
Personal Observations:
Gentle lymphatic cleanser, fantastic spring tonic, helping clean up our system after winter. Promotes lymphatic flow and helps rid the lymphatic system of of metabolic waste.
Great for issues with adenoids and tonsils Often useful for leaky bladder, excessive nighttime peeing
Issues with urination, prostate, kidneys Kidney stones – breaks stone, dissolves deposits, clears tubules Folk remedy for mouth sores, canker sores, wash for canker sores - wash of tea. Hair tonic - high in silica
I've had some success with using cleavers for seasonal allergies, also.
Great article by local herbalist, Erin Piorier:
This brief overview merely highlights my observations. There is, of course, a great deal of information that you can find on the Internet or in books. Or better yet - get together with other herbalists and share your experiences!
Please add your own experiences so that together we can create a more comprehensive overview.
As always, if you have a chronic ailment that is not resolving itself or an acute issue, seek the attention of your physician.