15th Century Life Hack

Cleavers as a spring clean for the body, an elixir for beauty, and a cocktail ingredient.

Cleavers (Galium Aparine) is also known as goosegrass, sticky willy, stick-weed, stick-a-back, bed straw and a whole host of other names.

There are many interesting botanical facts about Galium Aparine that can be discovered with some light research, however, what i’m interested in is how it can be used in day to day life for myself and other like minded individuals.

Social media algorithm’s quickly adjusted to my growing interest in foraging since moving back to the countryside. As I noticed cleavers growing in abundance amongst nettles along my dog walking route, I also noticed its rising popularity in foraging videos online.

Exactly what herbal healing properties do cleavers have? Traditionally, cleavers have been used because of their diuretic property; making them a great tool to help with UTIs. Most information websites state that cleavers boast positive benefits for the lymphatic system, kidney health, liver health and skin.

After scanning 10s of websites, cleavers medicinal benefits can be best summed up as a full body detox.₁ Due to cleavers sprouting early in the year and flowering in summer, the best time to forage them is during the spring. Thus, you can think of cleavers as a spring clean for the whole body. I made cleavers water to do so. Preparing it by: thoroughly washing the cleavers, pouring cold water over them in a covered jug and leaving it for at least 24 hours to infuse. After 24 hours you can leave the cleavers infusing for as long as you desire. The longer you leave them the stronger the flavour will be.

As well as a long list of medicinal benefits, there is folklore from the 15th century that claims “Whoever drinks cleavers water for 9 weeks shall be so beautiful, everyone will fall in love with them“₂. An ancient elixir for beauty growing in abundance right on our doorsteps! I haven’t tested the 9 week theory but having struggled with some acne issues recently, I definitely will be.

If a whole body detox, or becoming so beautiful you’ll be drowning in proposals isn’t what you’re looking for, then you can also use cleavers as unique and exciting cocktail ingredient. Cleavers’ “impart a cool, refreshing and slightly sweet flavour to cocktails, with notes of cucumber, green pea and honeydew melon”₃. Thus, it can be easily added to Pimms or most Martini cocktails. For the latter it is best to blend the cleavers with water first making a juice. Make sure you cut the cleavers into short enough pieces, so their string like stems don’t get caught around the blades.

Above are just three of the many interesting uses for the extremely beneficially and versatile cleavers. I’m sure with more searching you could find a way to integrate the widespread plant into your life. It’s easy enough to identify when foraging because of its quirky sticking characteristic most of us remember from childhood. Always be careful when foraging new plants in case of unknown allergies/intolerances.

1. https://kitchenandotherstories.com/detox-water-cleaver-infusion/
2. https://www.handmadeapothecary.co.uk/blog
3. https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/2019/cocktails/bartenders-guide-to-foraging-cleavers-stickyweed