Cleavers (Galium aparine) is an annual herb seen in the edges of woods. It retards the growth of other plants by depriving light and water. The plant is also known as goosegrass, catchweed and bedstraw.
It is characterized by prickly stems bearing small, white scattered flowers. The juice of the herb and seed is a powerful diuretic, and is also useful in wound healing. A decoction of the herb is used in fluxes. Cleavers is given in psoriasis, eczema and other skin diseases.
