Cleavers

Botanical

What is it

Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a herbaceous plant traditionally used in Western herbal medicine as a 'lymphatic tonic' and mild diuretic. Common names include bedstraw, goosegrass, and clivers.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Lymphatic / skin complaints (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Long history of use in Western herbalism but essentially no controlled clinical trials supporting these traditional uses.

Mild diuretic

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use as a diuretic; modern clinical evidence is lacking.

How it works

Cleavers contains iridoid glycosides (asperuloside), tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, and small amounts of caffeic and gallic acids. Traditional herbalists describe it as 'cooling' and 'cleansing,' used for swollen lymph nodes, skin complaints, and urinary tract conditions. Mechanistic research is limited. The plant's mild diuretic effect is attributed to its iridoids and asperuloside. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity has been observed in laboratory studies. Robust clinical trials in humans are essentially absent.

Dosage

Traditional liquid extract doses are 3-6 mL three times daily; tea is prepared from 2-4 grams of dried herb steeped in hot water. DSLD label data did not include a median dose.

When and how to take it

WHEN: Traditional use is 2-3 times daily for short courses (1-3 weeks). HOW: As fresh juice, dried-herb tea, or alcoholic/glycerine tincture. Often combined with other 'cleansing' herbs in formulas.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Fresh plant tincture

Liquid extract from above-ground parts.

Many herbalists prefer fresh-plant preparations.

Dried herb tea

Traditional preparation.

Aqueous infusion extracts water-soluble compounds.

Safety

Generally considered safe at traditional doses. Mild diuretic effect may cause increased urination. May rarely cause skin contact dermatitis.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to limited safety data. People with kidney disease should consult a clinician. Diabetics should monitor blood sugar as some traditional sources suggest it lowers glucose.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with diuretics (additive effect) and lithium (altered clearance). No major clinical interactions reported.

Frequently asked questions

Does cleavers really help with the lymphatic system?⌄

This is a traditional claim with no rigorous human clinical evidence. The 'lymphatic' concept used in herbalism does not correspond to a measurable medical action.

Is it safe to take cleavers long-term?⌄

Long-term safety has not been studied. Traditional use is short-term (a few weeks at a time).

References

Cleavers on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Cleavers on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Cleavers (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.