Cleavers are this growing vine that can be found all over the United States in poor soil, hedge rows and will be one of the first to return after a fire. It is also called bedstraw, stickyweed, sticky willy and robin-run-the-hedge, just to name a few. Its official name is Galium aparine and is considered an invasive weed, but as we have found, the ones that are considered invasive are usually the best. They have little hooks and hairs and they attach to everything. They are edible when they are cooked and the seeds can be roasted to use as a coffee substitute. They are great to use for green juices. Cleavers used to be used for cheese making and still are in some places.

Cleavers are probably the best weed to have around as an all around good thing. It works on your lymphatic system. When I say works I mean it gets it moving by pulling water from your system and flushing the lymph nodes like no other herb I have heard of. If you have any swollen lymph glands then this is the weed for you. If you have developed any kind of sickness and you notice the swelling, cleavers will clear it up. It comes out in spring just in time to clean out your system from the winter stagnation. It not only moves water through your lymphatic system but will encourage lymph to jump start its process to signal your body to take action for stressors.

Getting your lymphatic system to move then will produce a healing cascade. 

It will rejuvenate your skin, will treat acne psoriasis, eczema, kidney stones, bladder and urinary tract infections,chickenpox, measles and fevers. 

Cleavers can be used internally and externally to treat skin problems. Since it is a detoxifier it will also clean your blood, it is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It will flush out bacteria related to chickenpox,measles and help bring fevers down from those conditions. You can also use a strong wash to help with the itch.

It seems that cleaver juice is the most effective but it does not have a good shelf life. You will need to make it frequently.

You can use a tincture or a tea also. However dried cleavers do loose the effectiviness.