Description

The hedge bedstraw (Galium mollugo), the sticky weed (G. aparine) and the yellow bedstraw (G. verum) are herbaceous plants of the family Rubiaceae, widespread across our country.  The sticky weed is an annual, climber or lying, 30-150 cm high plant. It is sticky. The hedge bedstraw and the yellow bedstraw are perennial plants, reaching up to 30-100 cm.

According to the legend the cradle of Jesus was lined with bedstraw. It was one of the sacred plants named after our Lady. The plant was used in the bed of pregnant women in order to save them and their new-born children from hex.

Active substances

The drug contains mostly flavonoids, galiozine, asperuloside, tannins and volatile oils.

Wildcrafting

We usually pick the shoots shorter than 40 cm, in June-July, when the flowers emerge (Galii molluginis herba; Galii aparinis herba; Galii veri herba). We will receive 1 kg of dry drug from 3-4 kg fresh green plant.

Curative effects

The bedstraw is very useful, protects our whole endocrine system. It is a good depurator, also recommended for kidney diseases and prostate. It is also effective in case of hyper- and hypothyroidism.  

In the old times the fresh juice of the plant was used for treating epilepsy. It is also good for insomnia and acne in puberty.

Use

We can make a tea through infusion. In case of thyroid problems use one cup of hedge bedstraw tea for rinsing several times a day, then swallow it. Externally can be used for rinsing the mouth, it prevents the formation of tumors.  Bedstraw is also used for skin diseases. Everyone should drink at least one cup of bedstraw tea per week.

In traditional medicine the hedge bedstraw is used for preventing and treating cancer.