Clivers Goosegrass vs Stillingia sebifera

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Clivers Goosegrass

Galium aparine var.

Skin and Topical

Skin and Topical

Clivers Goosegrass

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Stillingia sebifera

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Spring annual with highest potency when harvested young, used as lymphatic tonic and kidney herb.

Chinese tree whose seed coating provides vegetable tallow; used in TCM for skin diseases and cough.

Active Compounds

citric acid, gallotannic acid, flavonoids, phenolic acids, iridoids

stillingia factor, flavonoids, fatty acids, tannins, resins

Traditional Uses

European spring blood cleanser, kidney cleanse, skin tonic spring herb

skin diseases, cough, constipation, liver, edema

Modern Uses

lymphatic drainage, urinary cleanse, skin conditions, anti-inflammatory

topical antimicrobial, expectorant, laxative, anti-inflammatory

Adult Dosage

25-50ml fresh plant juice daily or 2-4g dried

Topical application or 3-9g decoction

Contraindications

blood thinners, iron deficiency anemia

pregnancy, internal large doses

Side Effects

generally very safe, mild diuresis, iron chelation

GI irritation, topical skin irritation

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E