Witnessed by: TCM · Western
Cleavers (Galium aparine), of the Rubiaceae family. Straggling annual with square bristly stems clinging by hooked hairs; native range: Europe, Asia and North America; a scrambling weed of hedge and field. Globally recognized as zhu yang yang (猪殃殃) in Chinese, and clivers, goosegrass, sticky-willy, catchweed in English. The part used is aerial herb. Weak whorled-leaved stems rough with tiny hooks that cling to the hand; grassy and faintly bitter-salt, cool and juicy when fresh.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CLEAVERS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Cleavers
- Scientific name
- Galium aparine L.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
Form
- Part used
- aerial herb
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
- Western
- salty · bitter
Temperature
TCM: cool
Western: cool
convergence: both {witness_count} witnesses call it a cooling, cleansing herb
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Bladder · Liver
- Western
- kidneys · bladder · blood · skin
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat and resolves toxicity, promotes urination and reduces swelling, cools the blood
- Western
- diuretic, lymphatic alterative, mild astringent and refrigerant; a blood and skin cleanser
Cautions
- Contraindications
- diabetic tendency (caution) and cold depleted states
- Toxicity
- none of note; the hooked hairs can irritate the skin of pickers
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