Admittedly, the gardeners and allotmenteers amongst you have probably cursed it as a rather tenacious weed, but as we all know a weed is simply a plant trying to live its life in the wrong (according to us) spot. Kids love it in the autumn as it produces its small round green or purplish sticky seed capsules, which they throw at each other, or at least they did when I was a lass - no computer games then! This is part of its rather clever dispersal strategy, it sticks its seed to the coats of passing animals and to us if we let it, which helps the plant spread its offspring far from the parent.
It is a very clingy plant all over, this effect achieved by downward pointing prickly hairs on the leaves and many of its common names, Stickie Willie and Cleavers included, refer to this characteristic. The Greeks knew it as the philanthropis (love of humanity) because, as herbalist Julain Barker says, it rather affectionately clings to you. The second part of its Latin name aperine, is derived from the Greek aparo, to 'seize', which gives its behaviour a bit more of a purposeful slant - obviously, it all depends on how you look at things.
It has had many domestic uses over the centuries, aside from its medicinal ones, its sticky stems were apparently used to strain milk, it was gathered as fodder for geese, who seem to be very fond of it and whose preference is marked by its most widespread common name. The roasted seeds, Mrs Grieve in her Modern Herbal, tells us, can make a good coffee substitute, although I have never tried this. The ancient Welsh Physicians of Myddfai held it in great esteem, as one of our most important indigenous herbs, however it is widespread throughout Europe and has been used as a remedy since classical times. A wash made from an infusion of the fresh herb was used for sunburn and freckles, and as part of a healing ointment for ulcers and tumours. The herbalist Gerard believed that eating Cleavers with 'a little mutton and oatmeal is good to cause lankness and keepe from fatnesse' interesting 16th Century slimming advice. This reputation for weight loss is echoed elsewhere and indeed was used as a slimming aid until relatively recently, but I am unable to attest to its efficacy in this area. In the old tradition of astrological/herbal associations, it is a herb under the rulership of Saturn, a planet not renowned for its largesse and expansiveness in astrological lore, so perhaps these reputations are intertwined.
In modern herbal medicine Goosegrass is still a widely used herb. It is perhaps one of the best herbal tonics for the lymphatic system and is employed for this reason by medical herbalists who use it extensively, mainly for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, as it helps with elimination of toxins through the lymphatic system, taking the load off the skin. It is also a diuretic (again an eliminative process) and can be helpful for cystitis and other painful urinary tract conditions, especially when combined with demulcent and soothing herbs, for example marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) as it is anti-inflammatory and astringent, both properties potentially helpful for combating bacterial infection in the urinary tract. It can also be used alongside marigold (Calendula officinalis) another powerful and anti-microbial lymphatic herb for swollen lymph nodes where there is bacterial infection, such as tonsillitis.
Sources:
Barker, J. (2001), The medicinal flora of Britain and Northwestern Europe. Kent, Winter Press
Mrs Grieve (1931) A Modern Herbal (available on line at www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.htm).
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Take care when using wild plants or herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable and uncontaminated source.
Catherine Schofield BSc MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine