Getting Unstuck with Cleavers
Spring is when frozen water begins to flow, when the soil begins to warm and awaken. This time is uncurling like a seed and moving out the gunk we have collected throughout the harsh winter. Whether you live in a cold climate or not, our bodies naturally contract and hold onto things in the winter; it is an evolutionary impulse. If you look at this from a holistic perspective, as I always do, cleavers help us move out the emotional and energetic gunk too. Winter is a time for introspection and still when a lot gets collected in the cauldron of our psyche. Cleavers (Galium Aparine) bring a joyful, spirited energy that moves stagnation along and encourages flow both physically and spiritually.
Plants have the amazing ability to show us how they can support our health. Cleavers’ velcro like stickiness shows us how it can help us with stuck energy and physical stagnation. Ever walked through a field of Cleavers? You’ll end up with them all over your clothes. They are saying “please take me with you! Let me help you get unstuck!”
Cleavers is one of the great spring weeds that supports our lymphatic system in the spring. In the winter, the lymph slows down and can have the tendency to get sluggish. Spring is the time to get our inner waters flowing. Cleavers encourages healthy lymphatic function, eliminating waste and ultimately revitalizing our entire body. When the lymph is flowing optimally, it removes toxins and brings fresh nutrients to our tissues. It is a big part of our immune system as well. Spring is the time to refresh our systems; Cleavers is here to clear out the stuck yuck and make way for flow. When our physically bodies are flowing, our spiritual bodies can be in flow as well.
The optimal time to harvest Cleavers is in the spring when it’s in flower. The above Cleaver is actually just a bit past, as you can see the seeds forming. I decided to harvest anyway because much of them were still in flower, which is when the medicine is the most potent. When it goes to seed, it loses a bit of it’s vitality. Always harvest Cleavers from a place where you are certain there is no pesticide use. It is also not optimal to harvest from a road side but if that’s your only option, try to chose a road that is not super busy. I harvested from my backyard. Chances are you might have some too. They’re everywhere! I love and prefer to harvest plants that are abundant and generous. It is as if Cleavers are begging to come with us as they grab onto our pant legs.
You can use the entire above ground plant if you choose, though I always prefer to use the top half as it feels more vital. I like to harvest them with scissors instead of pulling the root out but again, they are so abundant, it would not be terrible to pull out a few. I harvested mostly flowers because it felt like the energy I wanted was in the flowering tops. Use your intuition!
Making a cleavers tincture is fun and easy! I made mine with the “folk method” which basically means using your intuition more than exact weight and volume. I of course know how to use exact measurement to create an optimal tincture, but sometimes I enjoy letting my intuition and folk wisdom of my ancestors lead the way.
To make a folk tincture:
Chop your herb finely with a knife or scissors. As you can see above, I used both. I find the scissors helpful the get the pieces really small, which is ideal
Fill a clean jar with you herb and press it down a bit
Cover with vodka (what I used) or brandy
Label with plant name and date. Shake daily and strain with cheesecloth or muslin in 2-4 weeks
Now, ideally for fresh plant you want to use a higher proof 95% alcohol to get the optimal extraction. I intuitively felt that I wanted a bit gentler of a medicine so I used 40% vodka. A teacher of mine in Olympia, Washington uses 40% brandy for everything. Everyone has their individual methods.
95% grain alcohol also tastes entirely terrible. I wanted something more pleasant. Medicine can be really powerful but it won’t do anything if you don’t take it because it tastes gross. Haha.
For you plant nerds like me who want to make a potent extraction of fresh cleavers, here’s a more precise method:
Get a kitchen scale and a liquid measuring cup
Weigh your plant material (ex. 10 grams)
Multiply this by 2 and measure out that much 95% alcohol (ex. 20 ml)
Fill a clean jar with plant material and press it down
Pour alcohol over it (may not completely cover. If not press down more. If it still barely covers you can add a smidge more alcohol)
Label with plant and date. You do not have to shake this one.
In addition, you can dry cleavers and drink as a tea. I prefer tincture but if alcohol is not preferable, you can use the above method with apple cider vinegar and/or drink as a tea.
It is not necessary to make medicine from Cleavers in order to receive healing benefit. Taking time to sit with the plants can bring a lot of insight about what we need to bring flow into our lives. I always find that the best way to get to know a plant is to give it an offering. Is there a crystal or biodegradable gift you believe Cleavers would like to receive. Perhaps bring an offering and ask Cleavers to help you with something that feels stuck. Medicine is always more powerful when it is made from a place of relationship.
I hope you are excited to work with Cleavers! Happy spring and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to learn more! I am developing some exciting herbal class soon. Stay tuned and happy foraging!
Want more witchy content? Click any square below to check out my Instagram!
