Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Cleavers
Galium aparine
This monograph compiles 5 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 14 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from vulnerary action
more plants for bruising →detailed sources →inferred from emollient action
more plants for eczema →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →inferred from emollient action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →inferred from diuretic action
more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →inferred from diuretic action
more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →inferred from diuretic action
more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →inferred from antimicrobial action
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Duke (2002) describes cleavers as a diuretic, lymph tonic, and depurative with experimental support (score 1). The plant has been used in traditional medicine for swollen lymph nodes, urinary complaints, and skin conditions. Diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities are supported experimentally. No Commission E approval. Safety rating is ++ (relatively safe), with no known significant contraindications at usual herbal doses (Duke, 2002).
References
REF-0818, REF-0819, REF-0820, REF-1718, REF-1719, REF-1720, REF-1721, REF-1722, REF-1723, REF-1724, REF-1725References & Sources
- Laanet, P.R., Saar-Reismaa, P., Jõul, P., Bragina, O. and Vaher, M (2023) 'Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Selected Estonian Galium Species', Molecules, 28(6), pp. 2867. doi:10.3390/molecules28062867 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062867 - Antoniak, K., Studzińska-Sroka, E., Szymański, M., Dudek-Makuch, M. et al (2023) 'Antiangiogenic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Bidens tripartita Herb, Galium verum Herb and Rumex hydrolapathum Root', Molecules, 28(13), pp. 4966. doi:10.3390/molecules28134966 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28134966 - Razzivina, V., Vasiljeva, A., Kronberga, A., Skudrins, G. et al (2024) 'Phenolic Content and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cultivated and Wild-Type Galium odoratum Extracts in Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages', Antioxidants (Basel), 13(12), pp. 1447. doi:10.3390/antiox13121447 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13121447 - Sahin, B., Karabulut, S., Filiz, A.K., Ozkaraca, M., Gezer, A. and Akpulat, H.A (2022) 'Galium aparine L. protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats', Chemico-Biological Interactions, 366, pp. 110119. doi:10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110119 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110119 - Lee, S.Y., Park, S.Y. and Park, H.J (2024) 'Immuno-Enhancing Effects of Galium aparine L. in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Animal Models', Nutrients, 16(5), pp. 597. doi:10.3390/nu16050597 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16050597 - Beirami, A.D., Akhtari, N., Noroozi, R., Hatamabadi, D., Hasan, S.M.F. and Ayatollahi, S.A (2024) 'Bringing back Galium aparine L. from forgotten corners of traditional wound treatment procedures: an antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in-vitro wound healing assay along with HPTLC fingerprinting study', BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), pp. 279. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04355-y Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04355-y - Ilina, T., Kashpur, N., Granica, S., Bazylko, A., Shinkovenko, I. and Kovalyova, A (2019) 'Phytochemical Profiles and In Vitro Immunomodulatory Activity of Ethanolic Extracts from Galium aparine L', Plants, 8(12), pp. 541. doi:10.3390/plants8120541 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants8120541 - Atmaca, H., Bozkurt, E., Cittan, M. and Dilek Tepe, H (2016) 'Effects of Galium aparine extract on the cell viability, cell cycle and cell death in breast cancer cell lines', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 186, pp. 305-310. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.04.007 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.04.007 - Bokhari, J., Khan, M.R., Shabbir, M., Rashid, U., Jan, S. and Zai, J.A (2012) 'Evaluation of diverse antioxidant activities of Galium aparine', Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 102, pp. 24-29. doi:10.1016/j.saa.2012.09.056 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2012.09.056 - Shi, G., Liu, J., Zhao, W., Liu, Y. and Tian, X (2016) 'Separation and purification and in vitro anti-proliferative activity of leukemia cell K562 of Galium aparine L. petroleum ether phase', Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 24(3), pp. 241-247. doi:10.1016/j.jsps.2016.04.005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2016.04.005 - Quinlan, F.J (1883) 'Galium Aparine as a Remedy for Chronic Ulcers', British Medical Journal, 1(1172), pp. 1173-1174. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.1172.1173 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.1.1172.1173 - British Herbal Medicine Association (1983) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine'. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org
Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio