S P R I N G · C L E A V E R S
Cleavers begins to sprout when our immune systems may be tired and sluggish from a long winter. With its square-shaped stem and sticky hairs, they manage to stick to whatever passes them, earning them nicknames like velcro plant, and catch weed, or kleefkruid in Dutch. The fun thing is you can find them almost anywhere and they make a wonderful herbal drink.
Cleavers is mostly considered a weed. When my son was small we used to look out for it, because it was always fun to stick it to each others’ backs while running around. Since a few years, when I see a small patch in the garden I protect it from being extracted and now and then harvest from it for a refreshing infusion. When making the seasonal transition from winter to spring, cleavers can be a useful force in stimulating the lymphatic system. The lymph help remove waste products from the blood stream and maintain the immune system. By taking herbs like cleavers, we can help support the lymph system’s natural detoxification of the body.
Some traditional uses of cleavers:
- to relieve temporary water retention
- as a cooling herb to help clear heat and stagnation and to increase flow
- Native American tribes used them to promote kidney health
- for urinary tract infection. Cleavers’ diuretic properties coupled with its soothing, demulcent action make this herb ideal for calming an inflamed urinary tract. Regular drinking of Cleavers tea can act as a preventative measure for the incidence of recurring UTI’s.
R E C I P E · Cleavers infusion
You can make a cold or warm infusion from freshly picked cleavers. To keep the beneficial properties of the plant intact it is best to make a cold infusion.
method cold infusion
· wash a hand full of cleavers and cut them in smaller pieces
· put the cut pieces in a bottle with a wide-neck or mason jar and fill with cold drinking water
· cover and leave to infuse overnight
· the next morning simply filter and drink
method warm infusion
· wash a hand full of cleavers and cut them in smaller pieces
· put the cut pieces in a tea pot or thermos and fill with boiled water
· cover and let it steep for 15 minutes
· strain and enjoy!