[Herbalist] Re: goose grass / cleavers

[Corwyn and Carowyn]

>Greetings,
>Does anyone know of any medical use of goose grass, which is also
>calles cleavers? was it used in medieval europe? Has anyone tried it?

Come here book!  (_The Complete Medicinal Herbal_ by Penelope Ody.  Just
saw an entry for it the other day.)

Cleavers, _Galium aparine_: "Women do usually make pottage of
clevers...to cause lanknesse and keepe them from fatness" (John Gerard,
1597)  Best used fresh, the aerial parts are a potent diuretic and
lymphatic cleanser, effeective in many cases involving swollen or
enlarged lymph glands.  Often described as a blood purifier, they are
used for skin problems & other consitions where the body is failing to
rid itself of toxins.  They can also be cooked like a vegetable, gently
sweated in the pan like spinach.

Pulp the fresh plant to make an effective diuretic & lymphatic cleanser
for a range of conditions, including glandular fever, tonsilitis, and
prostate disorders.  Infusion or tincture is less strong than the juice;
used for cystitis & gravel; also take as a cooling drink for fevers.
Compress for burns, grazes, ulcers, & other skin inflammations.  Cream
used to relieve psoriasis.  Hair rinse for dandruff and scalp problems.

Yep, used in the MA - Gerard mentions it, and it was/ is a weed in
hedgerows in Europe and the Balkans.

Okay, I want it!  Where do I get it??

-Caro, whose tonsils *bulge* during her allergy attacks


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