Last verified: today
Cleavers
Also known as: Galium aparine, Galium spurium, goosegrass, sticky willy, catchweed bedstraw
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Traditional herb with no clinical trial evidence supporting any health benefit in humans.
-
What it does
Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a common weedy plant used in traditional herbal medicine, sometimes marketed for urinary tract support, lymphatic health, or detoxification. The provided research...
-
Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
-
Clinical dose
No established dose
-
Found in
What the Science Says
Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a common weedy plant used in traditional herbal medicine, sometimes marketed for urinary tract support, lymphatic health, or detoxification. The provided research papers contain no clinical trials or human studies on cleavers as a supplement. One paper briefly mentions it in the context of herbal remedies for overactive bladder, but provides no efficacy data. There is no established effective dose or timeframe based on the available evidence.
What It Doesn't Do
No clinical evidence it supports lymphatic drainage. No proof it detoxifies the body. No human trial data showing it helps with urinary tract issues. The 212 registered supplement products containing it don't reflect clinical proof — just market popularity.
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no human pharmacokinetic or absorption data in the provided studies.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Zero clinical trials exist in the provided evidence base — all health claims are based on traditional use only
- 212 supplement products on the market despite no human efficacy data — popularity does not equal proof
- No established safe dosage range for human consumption based on available research
- Often combined with other herbs, making it impossible to attribute any observed effects to cleavers specifically
Products Containing Cleavers
See how Cleavers is used in these analyzed products:
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25