Cleavers Cleanse

Another fabulous wild plant to bring to your attention!
Here is the well known Sticky Willy, Goose Grass or Cleavers!
I remember this plant from my childhood, it certainly suits its name, it sticks to everything!!
We used to have lots of fun sticking it to unsuspecting people!
So a few years ago I discovered that this is a medicinal plant with some rather awesome qualities!
I had lots of it in the garden and with my new attitude of using any wild plants, rather than seeing them as weeds, I googled it!
Who knew that this is a fabulous cleanser of the lymphatic system, it soothes irritated membranes of the urinary tract, it's a spring tonic, it can bring down fevers, good for swollen glands & tonsillitis and it treats burns!
I was most interested in the immune boosting effects! Consider it like a pipe cleaner clearing out the lymph vessels of any blockages/debris.
It also stimulates the flow & productivity of the lymph, which is an important part of the immune system.
Quite an impressive list of benefits for what most of us consider a weed!!
And all you need to do is fill a jug with freshly picked cleavers, fill it with water and leave it to infuse overnight, then drink it throughout the day. It tastes of cucumber & is really pleasant to drink!
You can fill it again, using the same cleavers, then just compost it and pick fresh.
You can also juice it and freeze it in ice cube trays to add to your green juices.
It is best picked before it flowers so now is the time to use it!
Initially I made the mistake of calling it Sticky Willy Water, so wasn't surprised when no one wanted to try it!!

I renamed it Cleavers Cleanse, which has a nice ring to it!

Here is a close up photo, but never ingest anything you are not 100% sure of. If in doubt, leave it out!

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