Family: Rubiaceae
Height: 30-50cm
Easily identified by its leaves and clinging habit. Cleavers (also known as Goose Grass, Sticky Willy or Sweetheart Plant) can be found from early spring, growing over other plants or along the ground.
A useful tonic and astringent but the seed pods can get tangled up in long coats and should not be fed.
A plant with a long history of medicinal use, human and veterinary. Particularly valuable in a wide range of problems which involve the lymphatic system and in ‘dry skin conditions.
Constituents: Iridoid coumarins including glycoside asperuloside, gallotannic acid, citric acid.
Actions: Diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, tonic, astringent, may inhibit and combat development of tumours.
