Cleavers, also known as sticky weed or goose grass, are starting to appear everywhere. They are a nuisance to gardeners, but a joy to have for foragers! We use them in teas and tonics for wonderful support to our bodies.
We spend our winters moving less, keeping warm indoors. Our lymphatic system does not have its own pump, so it is movement that helps circulate the lymph fluids. With less movement in the winter, our bodies welcome the assistance that cleavers can bring. They appear just when our bodies need them most. Cleavers support the lymphatic system’s ability to flush out toxins as well as enhance the immune system.
Cleavers are also a diuretic. Drinking cleaver tea or tonic can flush out waste and excess fluid from the kidneys, aiding it to releasing sodium into the urine, and prevent the buildup of other minerals that may lead to kidney stones.
Cleavers can also protect the liver as well as help heal the liver from damage due to alcohol, drugs, and other chemicals with its cleansing properties, promoting healthy liver function.
So how do you make cleaver tea and tonic? For tea, just grab a bunch of cleavers, roughly chop, then add to a tea pot with hot water, let it steep for a few minutes and enjoy! For cleaver tonic, again, grab a bunch, roughly chop, then add to a jug and fill with water. Leave this in the fridge overnight, then strain and drink this as your water throughout the day. It tastes similar to cucumber water, very refreshing! It will last in the fridge for one day.
If you are patient, you can also make coffee with their seeds later in the summer. Wait until those pesky seeds turn brown, harvest, dry roast, then grind them up and use as coffee. Cleavers and the coffee plant are related!
So next time you see these plants in your garden, don’t throw them into the the compost, keep them for your natural apothecary.
Happy foraging!
