This time of the year is such a wonderful and mystical time — all sorts of new babies and sprouts begin to appear – from birds to butterflies to wild herbs and plants just awakening from their deep winter sleep.
Here on PENZANCE I am always on the prowl for weeds and such that benefit the horses as well as the humans. One particularly beneficial herb is CLEAVERS — a great spring tonic that has the properties to cleanse and detox the entire body from head to hoof — erm — toe.
Herbalists have long regarded cleavers as a valuable lymphatic tonic and diuretic. Cleavers is widely used by Western herbalists to treat edema and other forms of swelling due to its stimulating effect on the lymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing extracellular waste from the body; passing toxins to the liver and the kidneys for cleansing.
Conditions such as psoriasis and arthritis are soothed by this purifying of the blood.
Cleavers is also known for its beneficial properties in aiding the treatment of urinary infections and is particularly helpful for a long-term and safe aid of feline lower urinary tract disease. It helps clean out gravel and urinary stones. The herb may also be useful for chronic low-grade kidney inflammation.
In studies cleavers extract lowered blood pressurewithout slowing heart rate or having any health-threatening side effects.
Cleavers is considered a vulnerary herb. This means that the herb helps to heal wounds – specifically tumors and ulcers in the mouth and throat. Cleavers can also be used as a wash or poultice for skin irritations, sunburn and cancerous growths, according to Tierra in “Planetary Herbology,” although no direct evidence for its efficacy in skin irritation or cancer is available at this time.
Cleavers may be an effective addition to healing salves and ointments due to its cooling, soothing and wound-healing properties.
I love to gather up Cleavers this time of year to add to the freshly picked Dandelions and adding them as a base to my horses’ ‘salads’.
They love ’em, too! (Oh, and PS — I add ’em to Hubby’s and my salads, too! Mmmmmmm. )
Stay tuned for I’ll be adding more wild ‘weeds’ as the weeks go on …