Description: Cleavers has long stem which sprawls over the ground and other plants and generally reaches a height of 1-1.5 m. The leaves of the stem are simple, lance-shaped and borne in whorls of six to eight. The leaves have fine hairs tipped with tiny hooks. The flowers, occurring two or three together, spring from the axils of the leaves and are small, star-like and are either white or greenish-white. The fruits are clustered together and each seed possesses a diameter of 4-6 mm.

Family Name: Rubiaceae
Botanical Name(s): Galium aparine
Popular Name(s): Goosegrass, Catchweed, Stickyweed, Coachweed.
Parts Used: The complete herb
Habitat: Cleavers is abundantly found in Europe and in North America.

Uses: Cleavers has diuretic, alterative and aperient properties. It is used to cure scurvy, scrofula, psoriasis and skin diseases and eruptions. Its use is recommended in dropsical complaints as it operates with considerable power upon the urinary secretion and the urinary organs. The herb is used against the cancerous growths and allied tumours. The ointment made from the leaves and stems of the plant is used to dress the ulcerated parts.