Sticky Willy, aka Cleavers or Goose Grass, grows prolifically in summer. Remember as a child picking off all those fuzzy little buds and sticking them on your friends? Anyway, there are other uses for this plant, in fact, cleavers was well known down the centuries as the slimming herb.

Cleavers help to drain the lymphatic system and is good for skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.

It is a mild diuretic and used to be sauteed and served like spinach. I have tried this and find it too stringy. It does make a good tea though if you add some honey to it.

Cleavers Tonic Tea For Weight Loss;

Take a good handful of the plant and chop it up. Place in a jug or teapot and cover with boiling water. Put a plate over the jug and leave to infuse.

Strain off the plant matter through a small sieve or tea strainer and stir in a teaspoon of natural honey to sweeten the cleavers tea.

Now you can either drink this as a tea or chill it in the fridge and use as a tonic type drink.

Serve your cleavers tonic tea (or sticky willy tea) in a tall glass over ice with a slice of lemon. Maybe an acquired taste but a healthy one.

Cheers!

Karon x