Galium.

The herb Galium aparine.

Therapeutic Action.—Cleavers is said to be diuretic, aperient, refrigerant and antiscorbutic. It may be used with much advantage in acute nephritis, cystitis and gonorrhoea, as it is refrigerant, lessening the irritation and inflammation of the affected parts, and diminishing the acridity of the urine. It should not be used, however, in torpid and debilitated states of these organs. It has been used with benefit as a diuretic and refrigerant drink, in acute febrile and inflammatory diseases, almost invariably increasing the flow of urine; it has the advantage of agreeing well with the stomach.

The other species of Galium possess similar virtues, and may be substituted for this.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.