Clivers

Clivers (Gallium aparine) is a native British annual plant, commonly known as Goosegrass, which is well known for the small ball shaped seed pods which attach themselves to clothing and animal fur by means of small hooks, a little like ‘Velcro’.

It grows to about 1.2m and clings to other plants by means of little hooks on it stems and leaves and it is commonly found in hedgerows throughout Britain flowering in the summer.   

Culpeper said it ‘stayeth the bleeding’ and considered it helpful for jaundice.

In modern practice it is used as a soothing diuretic and can be combined with Marsh Mallow in the treatment of cystitis.

The fresh sap and aerial parts are used topically to treat skin conditions such as Eczema and Psoriasis, and can also be applied to burns and abrasions.   A wash made from Clivers can relieve the symptoms of sunburn and help freckles.   In France the crushed herb is used in a poultice for sores and blisters.  

Clivers is used together with Chickweed (Stellaria media) in the Chickweed Cream for the relief of Eczema and Psoriasis where its soothing effect helps with itchy skin.

Clivers has also been used to help deter insects.