Practical
Plants

Galium aparine

Goosegrass

an annual member of the Galium genus in the family Rubiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rubiaceae
Genus
Galium
Life cycle
annual
Height
1.2 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Flies, Beetles, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Beetles, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The sap of the plant can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people[12].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The tender young shoot tips - raw or cooked as a pot-herb[18][22][19][20][21][5][7]. A rather bitter flavour that some people find unpalatable[14], they are best used in the spring[6]. They make a useful addition to vegetable soups[22][14]. It is said that using this plant as a vegetable has a slimming effect on the body[13]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[8][19][21]. One of the best substitutes, it merely needs to be dried and lightly roasted and has much the flavour of coffee[17][1][7]. A decoction of the whole dried plant gives a drink equal to tea[8][17].

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[15]. The whole plant, excluding the root, is alterative, antiphlogistic, aperient, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, tonic and vulnerary[17][22][23][10][2][11][12]. It is harvested in May and June as it comes into flower and can be used fresh or dried for later use[17][13]. 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[17][22][14], and as a decoction for insomnia and cases where a strong diuretic is beneficial[17]. It has been shown of benefit in the treatment of glandular fever, ME, tonsillitis, hepatitis, cystitis etc[13]. The plant is often used as part of a spring tonic drink with other herbs[17]. A tea made from the plant has traditionally been used internally and externally in the treatment of cancer[17][11][12]. One report says that it is better to use a juice of the plant rather than a tea[15]. The effectiveness of this treatment has never been proved or disproved[22]. 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[13]. 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[13]. A homeopathic remedy has been made from the plant[22].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A red dye is obtained from a decoction of the root[17][22][3]. When ingested it can dye the bones red[17]. The dried plant is used as a tinder[24]. The plant can be rubbed on the hands to remove pitch (tar)[24]. The stems are placed in a layer 8cm or more thick and then used as a sieve for filtering liquids[17][1][5].

Product or use
Cleanser
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Water filtration
Product or use
Tinder

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, N. and W. Asia.
Habitat
Hedgerows and as a weed of cultivated land[22]. Moist and grassy places on most types of soil[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as the seed is ripe in late summer[9]. The seed can also be sown in spring though it may be very slow to germinate[9]. Once established, this plant does not really need any help to reproduce itself.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a loose moist leafy soil in some shade[9]. Plants tolerate dry soils, but they quickly become scorched when growing in full sun[9]. They do not thrive in a hot climate[9]. 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[17]. A good species to grow in the wild garden, it provides food for the larvae of many butterfly species[16].

References

  1. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  2. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  5. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  10. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2

  12. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  14. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  16. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11↩12

  18. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

    ↩

  19. De. Bray. L. The Wild Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  20. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩

  21. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩1↩2

  22. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  23. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩

  24. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩1↩2

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