Galium aparine
 Galium aparine/1) Galium apparine.jpg "Galium aparine, Rubiaceae, Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes")
 Galium aparine/2) Galium apparine.jpg "Galium aparine, Rubiaceae, Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes")
 Galium aparine/3) Galium apparine.jpg "Galium aparine, Rubiaceae, Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes")
 Galium aparine/4) Galium apparine.jpg "Galium aparine, Rubiaceae, Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes")
 Galium aparine/5) Galium apparine.jpg "Galium aparine, Rubiaceae, Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes")
 Galium aparine/6) Galium apparine.jpg "Galium aparine, Rubiaceae, Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes")
 Galium aparine/7 ) Galium apparine.jpg "Galium aparine, Rubiaceae, Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes")
| Botanical Nomenclature | Galium aparine |
| Common Name | Catchweed, Cleavers, Goosegrass, Grip Grass, Robin-Run-The-Hedge, Stickyjack, Stickyweed, Velcro Weed |
| Taxonomy- Family | Rubiaceae |
| Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Galium apparine is an annual plant, with square shaft, growing up to 120cm. The leaves are narrow and small and the small flowers are white or yellow. It blossoms from May to October. |
| Region Found | Epirus |
| Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves, seeds |
| Active Substances | Asperuloside (glycoside), iridoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, alkanes |
| Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant has antispasmodic, cholagogue, hypotensive, astringent, antirheumatic and diuretic properties. Also, it is administered orally for the treatment of neurological disorders, rheumatism, the bladder disease, nephrolithiasis and involuntary urination. Finally, it is reccomended to be consumed either as a herbal tea, or as a tincture by cancer patients to reduce pain (particularly in France). |
| Method of Administration | The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (15g of dried herb in 100ml of boiling water, 2-3 cups a day) for the treatment of kidney stones and gallstones. A tincture (herbal extract in ethyl alcohol 70%, 1:10, 2-8g fresh plant) is reccomended as a painkiller to cancer patients. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
| Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Vomiting and diarrhea may occur. |
| References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, A' τόμος, σελίδες: 177-178 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 130-131, 3)http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/galium-aparine-cleavers 4)http://www.health-from-nature.net/Cleavers.html 5)http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/Cleavers.html 6)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Galium+aparine 7)http://www.altnature.com/gallery/cleavers.htm |