29/07/2026
I've been making a last minute green smoothie and have been turning to the garden to fill up the "green" portion. Kale is always a classic but the star here is the clivers. I always feel inspired when harvesting so I wanted to share some thoughts.
A herb I use regularly in my dispensary, it is cooling and can be used as a lymphatic, diuretic as well as topically. One of my favourite historical herbalists Nicholas Culpeper in the mid 17th century mentioned this as a spring herb and said "it is a good remedy in the Spring, eaten (being first chopped small, and boiled well) in water-gruel, to cleanse the blood, and strengthen the liver"
Other traditional sources back this use up, as well as it said to be used topically for spider or other venomous bites. A wonderful herb that grows freely in our backyard, and a good reminder that the right plants will appear when we need them according to the state of nature and the seasons. If you'd like to learn more please get in touch.
Cgherbalist.com.au