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Common Name: Goosegrass

General Information

Galium aparine is an annual plant that can grow up to 1.20 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

The sap of the plant can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

Range

Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, N. and W. Asia.

Habitat

Hedgerows and as a weed of cultivated land[]. Moist and grassy places on most types of soil[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Flies, Beetles, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[]. Plants tolerate dry soils, but they quickly become scorched when growing in full sun[]. They do not thrive in a hot climate[]. Another report says that plants succeed in most soils in full sun or heavy shade.
A scrambling plant, the stems and leaves are covered with little hooked bristles by which it can adhere to other plants and climb into them[].
A good species to grow in the wild garden, it provides food for the larvae of many butterfly species[].

Edible Uses

The tender young shoot tips - raw or cooked as a pot-herb[, , , , , , ]. A rather bitter flavour that some people find unpalatable[], they are best used in the spring[]. They make a useful addition to vegetable soups[, ]. It is said that using this plant as a vegetable has a slimming effect on the body[].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[, , ]. One of the best substitutes, it merely needs to be dried and lightly roasted and has much the flavour of coffee[, , ].
A decoction of the whole dried plant gives a drink equal to tea[, ].

Medicinal

Goosegrass has a long history of domestic medicinal use and is also used widely by modern herbalists. A valuable diuretic, it is often taken to treat skin problems such as seborrhoea, eczema and psoriasis, and as a general detoxifying agent in serious illnesses such as cancer[].
The whole plant, excluding the root, is alterative, antiphlogistic, aperient, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, tonic and vulnerary[, , , , , , ]. It is harvested in May and June as it comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried for later use[, ]. It is used both internally and externally in the treatment of a wide range of ailments, including as a poultice for wounds, ulcers and many other skin problems[, , ], and as a decoction for insomnia and cases where a strong diuretic is beneficial[]. It has been shown of benefit in the treatment of glandular fever, ME, tonsillitis, hepatitis, cystitis etc[]. The plant is often used as part of a spring tonic drink with other herbs[].
A tea made from the plant has traditionally been used internally and externally in the treatment of cancer[, , ]. One report says that it is better to use a juice of the plant rather than a tea[]. The effectiveness of this treatment has never been proved or disproved[].
A number of species in this genus contain asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of new-mown hay as the plant dries[]. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry[].
A homeopathic remedy has been made from the plant[].

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from a decoction of the root[, , ]. When ingested it can dye the bones red[].
The dried plant is used as a tinder[].
The plant can be rubbed on the hands to remove pitch (tar)[].
The stems are placed in a layer 8cm or more thick and then used as a sieve for filtering liquids[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as the seed is ripe in late summer[]. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate[]. Once established, this plant does not really need any help to reproduce itself.