04/14/2026
So excited to gather, harvest and process cleavers!
Cleavers can be beneficial in many skin issues and can be used both internally and externally for the skin. Burns, including sunburns, can be relieved with
the topical application of cleavers either as a juice or a poultice.
Cleavers’ cooling and moving properties make it a good match for moist skin conditions that weep, especially with signs of heat. Robert Dale Rogers rec-
ommends it for psoriasis in combination with burdock root and yellow dock root. It can also be used for acne and boils. It is nutrient- and mineral-rich and nicely infuses into vinegar as well.
To capture the skin-healing qualities for an external application, infuse the wilted plants into oil for salves, creams, and serums.
The fresh juice can be drunk immediately or it can be preserved for later use. You can add 25% alcohol to preserve the juice, or freeze it in ice cube trays
and store in a freezer bag.
The freshly dried plant can also be made into tea.
Cleavers quickly loses its pizzazz when dried, so use the dried plant within a few months.
Dosage:
� Fresh juice (succus): 1 teaspoon to 1/4 cup per day
� Tincture or juice preserved with alcohol: 5-15 ml, three times daily
� Tea: 10-30 grams
