Cleavers Herbal Tincture

Cleavers can be found in gardens, disturbed lands, and forest clearings. You can often find it in moist, damp environments and shady areas. It is native to North America, Europe, and Asia.

While it primarily works on the lymphatics and urinary tract, we see these affinities affecting other parts of the body as well. As an alterative, Cleavers is also considered to be a “blood” remedy, though, in reality, this refers to the extracellular fluids or the “matrix” of the cells. This is usually the result of most alteratives and is what classifies them as a blood purifier. This then reflexes into affecting the skin. Lastly, some consider Cleavers to be mild as a nervine or helpful for nerve pain.

Affinities

• Lymphatic

• Kidneys

• Urinary Tract

• Nervous System

• Blood

• Male Repro

The tissue state we see Cleavers as a remedy for is damp/stagnation. Like cold/ depression, this state has poor nutrition, metabolism, and elimination and is generally in need of detoxification.

Cleavers are indicated when there’s heat with rashes, eczema, or psoriasis and when there is also swollen lymph glands. In general with the damp/ stagnation tissue state, we also see dermatitis, jaundice, skin conditions (boils, acne), constipation, lymphatic stagnation, decreased immunity (gets sick a lot), arthritis, inflammation, and musculoskeletal pain. With a dry/atrophy state where Cleavers is indicated some symptoms can be dry red or pale skin, rashes, thinness, malnourished, weak constitution, emaciation, skin conditions due to “bad blood,” low appetite, intense thirst, constipation, weakness, and also infertility.

One of the first things everyone notices about this plant is how incredibly sticky it is. This is a very unique aspect of Cleavers and is indeed a potent signature for its physical and psycho-spiritual properties: it removes “stuckness” or stagnations in the physical body as a lymphatic, diuretic alterative (cleansing dampness) and helps to remove attachments in the emotional and psychological sphere. Cleavers work to unravel sticky situations and unhealthy relationships with attachment issues and clingy behavior, only to bring about the best possible resolution and openings for positive opportunities.

Within relationships, Cleavers restores harmony through balancing spaciousness and togetherness, the need for independence and intimacy. This plant carries a wealth of teachings around non-attachment, which may be expressed through materialism, attachment to specific outcomes, or an inability to let go of people or situations.

The signature of the clinginess is a notably Venusian correspondence as well. Cleavers can’t grow particularly tall on their own accord but rely on their relationship to other plants to grow. It leans and climbs on them. It is dependent on its relationships, which is a definite Venus quality.

This remedy is useful for people who have attachment issues, clinging to people, relationships, or material belongings when it's clear it's time to let go. They can be miserly, a notable dark side of Venus. Cleavers people often have difficulty in their relationships, repeating the same patterns over and over again from person to person.

• Ruling Element: Water. As noted previously, Cleavers is simply working on the inner waters of the body, as represented by the urinary tract, kidneys, mucosa, and lymphatic system.

• Ruling Principle: Mercury/Mutable/Vata.

Esoteric Significance

Combining our Element and Principle leads us to the sign of Pisces, which is the Mutable-Water sign. Interestingly enough, Pisces is the sign that governs the lymphatic system, so that makes quite a bit of sense for Cleavers. Venus in combination with Pisces gives us our two primary organ systems: kidneys/urinary tract and the lymphatics. In general, the mutable cross (Pisces-Virgo, Sagittarius-Gemini) governs all aspects of the nervous system.

In the tarot, there is no specific Venus in Pisces card in the minor arcana, but this plant is remedial for the Eight of Cups, Indolence, represented by Saturn in Pisces. As a challenge/difficulty card, Cleavers could be helpful when this archetype is present in someone's life. Saturn is essentially the energy of restriction, stagnation, inertia, and being stuck. This quality in a water sign is manifesting emotionally, specifically in our relationships as someone over-extending themselves and giving to the point of being drained, depleted, and emotionally taxed.

Tincture Dosage:

(A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of an herb)

1-3 drops under the tongue 3 times a day

Disclaimer: Herbal tinctures are intended for supplemental use only and are not meant to treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. Before using any herbal tinctures, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, or have any pre-existing medical conditions. Herbal tinctures may interact with certain medications, and some individuals may experience allergic reactions. Always follow the recommended dosage and do not exceed the recommended amount.

The seller of these products is not responsible for any adverse reactions or effects that may result from the use of herbal tinctures. Use at your own risk.