Of Epsom Salts and Cleavers...

Somehow, the cold weather has not yet killed off all the wild herbs growing in the back yard. There are still some lovely Kale plants and the large faithful Chives is dark green and healthy.  

I noticed the Cleavers that always thrives in the late spring/early summer months has returned for a last hurrah, so I am going to harvest some before it's too late.

Cleavers
Galium aparine

Other Names: Goosegrass, Amor De Hortelano, Barweed, Catchweed, Goosegrass, Cleever, Clivers, Everlasting Friendship, Gia Mara, Goosebill, Goosegrass, Grateron, Grip Grass, Hashishat Al Af'A, Hayriffe, Hayruff, Hedge Clivers, Hedgesheriff, Kaz Yogurtotu, Loveman, Mutton Chops, Robin-run-in-the-Grass, Scratweed, Sticky-willy, Stickywilly, Zhu Yang Yang

Here's what one website had to say:


Properties
   Cleavers is edible and medicinal, it has been used for centuries as an alternative medicine by indigenous peoples on many continents. It is edible raw, though it's said to be unpalatable, and is mainly used as a pot-herb or as an addition to soups. Using the plant as a vegetable has a slimming effect on the body. Cleavers seed is one of the best coffee substitutes, it merely needs to be dried and lightly roasted and has much the same flavor as coffee. 
   Cleavers has a long history of use as an alternative medicine and is still used widely by modern herbalists. It is used both internally and externally in the treatment of a wide range of ailments. The dried or fresh herb is alterative, anti-inflammatory, antiphlogistic, aperient, astringent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, tonic and vulnerary. 
   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 plant contains organic acids, flavonoids, tannins, fatty acids, glycoside asperuloside, gallotannic acid and citric acid. It has a mild laxative effect and stimulates the lymphatic system and has shown benefit in skin related problems. The fresh plant or juice is used as a medicinal poultice for wounds, ulcers and many other skin problems. An infusion of the herb has shown of benefit in the treatment of glandular fever, tonsilitis, hepatitis and cystitis. The infusion is also used to treat liver, bladder and urinary problems. 
   The plant contains the valuable constituent asperuloside, a substance that is converted into prostaglandins by the body. Prostaglandins are hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels. More scientific research is being done on the plant, since it is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry. 

Source: www.altnature.com

(I fixed some obvious typos, but I cannot vouch for the rest of the spelling or even any of the above-mentioned properties, although I did find many corroborations in Euell Gibbons' Stalking The Healthful Herbs and in Alma R. Hutchens' Indian Herbalogy of North America.)

I'm mainly interested in its abilities to improve the skin and, since the topical ointments the doctor has prescribed haven't done much to help alleviate my latest problem, I'm going to try a more natural approach, which includes bathing with Epsom salts and the juice from my Aloe plant. I'll keep you posted on the results either way...

Nap time, something they're both good at...

PS - The cats are doing fine. Silver is still very happy and content to be inside, and Copper is as spoiled as ever.