Amazing Cleavers Vulnerary Benefits That Help You Heal
If you’re battling mold and looking for a natural way to boost your detox, you’re in for a treat! Dr. Jill Crista, author of Break the Mold here, and I’m excited to share the amazing benefits of cleavers, a sticky little herb that’s a powerhouse for mold recovery. I’ll show you how to use it to clear mycotoxins and feel better. Ready to conquer mold and take back your health? Let’s explore cleavers!
What Are Cleavers and Why They’re Great for Mold
Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a wild herb that gets its name because it grabs onto stuff and hangs on. Its sticky nature isn’t just fun—it’s a lymph-moving superhero for mold detox. Here’s why it shines:
- Lymphagogue Power: Cleavers move mycotoxins from your extracellular matrix (pre-lymph system) into your lymph system for elimination.
- Mold Recovery Ally: It helps reduce symptoms like swelling, heat intolerance, and blood pressure issues caused by mold toxins.
- Natural and Accessible: You can find cleavers in the wild or order them dried from places like Frontier Herbs in Iowa.
Learn more about mold detox in my book, Break the Mold.
How Cleavers Support Lymph and Detox
I love cleavers for their ability to help with venous return and clear mold-related symptoms. Here’s how they work:
- Reduces Swelling: Eases leg, ankle, foot swelling, and “sausage fingers” by moving lymph fluid.
- Stabilizes Blood Pressure: Helps with blood pressure instability common in mold-sick folks.
- Helps Cell Turnover: Aids in replacing infected or dying cells with fresh healthy cells, the action of a vulnerary.
- Mycotoxin Flush: Moves toxins out of tissues into the lymph system, aiding your body’s natural detox pathways.
Cleavers can help! Check out Break the Mold for more mold recovery tips.
How to Harvest and Prepare Cleavers
You just take the tops in the spring – before it flowers is best. Here’s how to use cleavers for maximum benefit:
- Harvesting:
- Pick the tops of cleavers in spring before flowering for best potency.
- Late-season cleavers with fruiting bodies are okay but may contain caffeine. Remove fruiting bodies if caffeine-sensitive.
- Keep an eye out for look-alikes like sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), which doesn’t stick or move lymph as much, but is better for flavoring drinks with a sweet vanilla flavor.
- Preparation:
- Don’t Eat Fresh: They’re kind of yuck, like a fish hook in the throat. Use in tea instead.
- Dried Cleavers: Use 1–2 tablespoons dried cleavers (or double the amount if fresh) per tea serving. Source from Frontier Herbs for quality.
- Tea Method: Add cleavers to a teapot with green tea, jasmine tea, hibiscus, or wild sweet orange tea. Steep green tea for 4–5 minutes, but leave cleavers in “forever” (until the tea’s gone) for lymph benefits.
- Sip throughout the day for continuous detox.
- Pro Tip: Cleavers’ sticky texture makes them inedible raw, so always brew them or use them dried.
Grab a copy of my book Break the Mold for more herbal detox ideas.
Tips for Using Cleavers Safely
Cleavers are powerful, but you can use them wisely for mold recovery. Here’s how to do it right:
- Start Slow: If new to cleavers, begin with a small amount to test tolerance.
- Caffeine Caution: Remove fruiting bodies from late-season cleavers if you’re caffeine-sensitive, as they may contain trace amounts.
- Combine with Bitters: Pair cleavers with Bile Movers and bitters (e.g., coffee) to trap mycotoxins cleared from lymph.
- Work with a Pro: Consult a mold-literate doctor to tailor your detox plan, like those listed at NAEM and ISEAI.
- Avoid Mold Exposure: Keep your home dry to reduce mycotoxin load.
Dive into my book, Break the Mold for a full guide to herbal and lifestyle detox strategies.
You’re Ready to Heal with Cleavers!
Cleavers are a sticky, lymph-moving hero for mold detox, helping clear swelling, stabilize blood pressure, and flush mycotoxins. Brew them with green tea, source them from Frontier Herbs, and pair with bile movers and bitters. Want the full mold recovery plan? Grab my book, Break the Mold. Now go break the mold and heal! Save this guide and share it with someone fighting mold.
Join my newsletter for more mold recovery tips.
Disclaimer This content is health information and not intended as personal medical advice. Viewing will not establish a doctor-patient relationship. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. The information discussed is not intended to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Reliance on information provided by Dr. Jill Crista, employees, or others appearing at the invitation of Dr. Crista is solely at your own risk.