Cleavers – dietary fibre, silicon and naturally occurring plant compounds for horses and dogs

Cleavers (Galium aparine) is a traditionally used plant whose use in animal feeding is based on its diverse nutrient and phytochemical composition. Dried cleavers is suitable for use as part of a varied and plant-based diet for horses and dogs, especially when you want to supplement the diet with the plant's natural compounds, minerals and dietary fibres.

In feeding, cleavers is often incorporated into periodic or seasonal herbal regimens as part of a varied and balanced diet. The plant is used judiciously, not as a base feed.

The plant's natural compounds as part of nutrition

Cleavers naturally contains several of the plant's own compounds, such as flavonoids, tannins, coumarins and phenolic compounds. These compounds are part of the plant's own structure and occur naturally together with vitamins, minerals and fibres.

In a plant-based diet, flavonoids and phenolic compounds are part of a diverse nutritional profile.

Dietary fibre and plant structure

Cleavers contains dietary fibres as well as astringent tannins and the plant's own bitter compounds. These compounds are part of the plant's natural composition and contribute to its structure and flavour.

Minerals and silicon

Cleavers contains several minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and copper, as well as naturally occurring silicon. In the dried plant, the silicon content is typically around 0,5–1,5 % of dry matter according to the literature, depending on the growing site. Silicon occurs naturally in many plants as part of their mineral composition.

An animal's metabolism is part of normal physiology, and a varied diet forms its nutritional foundation. From this perspective, plants containing minerals are incorporated as part of a varied and balanced overall diet.

Vitamins as part of the overall diet

Cleavers naturally contains small amounts of vitamins A, C and K. These vitamins complement the diet as part of a varied and plant-based nutrition.

Combinability in feeding

Cleavers is suitable for use together with other plants, such as calendula. The different nutrient and compound compositions of the plants complement each other and the diversity of the diet.

Combinations are typically used on a seasonal or periodic basis.

Dosage:

Horses (approx. 500 kg):
1/3 dl – 1 dl per day as part of the diet.

Dogs:
1 tsp – 2 tbsp per day depending on the dog's size.

Measurement info:
1 dl ≈ 20 g

Nutrients (naturally, approximate): Dried cleavers (Galium aparine) naturally contains, among others: flavonoids and phenolic compounds (approx. 0,3–1,5 %), tannins and coumarins in total (approx. 0,5–3 %), dietary fibres and the plant's own bitter compounds (total fibre typically approx. 25–40 g/100 g), minerals such as calcium (approx. 300–600 mg), magnesium (approx. 80–150 mg), potassium (approx. 800–1 500 mg), sodium (approx. 20–60 mg), copper (approx. 0,5–1,5 mg), silicon as part of the plant's mineral composition (approx. 20–80 mg), vitamins such as vitamin A precursors (carotenoids) (approx. 2–6 mg), vitamin C (approx. 15–40 mg), vitamin K approx. (200–400 µg).

Natural variation in content typical of natural products is possible depending on the growing site, harvest, plant parts and drying method.

Composition: 100 % dried and ground cleavers (Galium aparine).
No additives.

Cleavers and calendula as part of a balanced diet

Cleavers (Galium aparine) and calendula (Calendula officinalis) have traditionally been used together as part of a plant-based and varied diet. The combination is based on the plants' different, complementary nutrient and compound compositions.

Cleavers naturally contains flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, dietary fibres as well as minerals such as potassium, magnesium and silicon. Calendula, in turn, is rich in carotenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides and triterpenoids. Together, these plants form a diverse plant-based nutrient profile as part of the diet for horses and dogs.

The combination is used especially on a seasonal basis and in situations where the diet is to be supplemented with the plants' own compounds and fibre-rich raw materials. The use of the plants is based on their natural composition and variability, not on individual compounds or efficacy claims.

Background information and research references

The composition and phytochemical properties of cleavers (Galium aparine) have been discussed in numerous pharmacognostic and botanical publications. The sources listed below provide background information on the bioactive compounds, nutrients and their role in nutrition contained in the plant. They should not be used as a basis for claims regarding the treatment of diseases in individual animals.

Phytochemistry and bioactive compounds

Kitanov, G.M. & Nikolova, M. (2001). Iridoid glycosides from Galium species. Phytochemistry.

Gudej, J. & Tomczyk, M. (2004). Determination of flavonoids, tannins and phenolic acids in Galium species. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis.

Pharmacognosy and medicinal plants

Schütz, K. et al. (2006). Taraxacum officinale and related species – phytochemical profiles. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

Hiltunen, R. & Holm, Y. (1994). Farmakognosia. Yliopistopaino.

Holm, Y. & Hiltunen, R. (2003). Lääkkeitä luonnosta. Edita.

Fibre and plant-based nutrition

Bisset, N.G. & Wichtl, M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Medpharm Scientific Publishers.