Dukes JA. Plant range. Many properties have been ascribed to woodruff: Antispasmodic: It promotes digestion for nervous people and fights stomach and intestinal spasms. Like MichelleV, I am curious as to why you cant let the pulp touch your face. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 2 Apr 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 17 Apr 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Apr 2023) and others. But in Germany, the freshly cut shoots are traditionally steeped in white wine and enjoyed on May Day (May 1st). Sweet woodruff is an herb. Try it in a container filled with humusy potting mix. It is invasive, and had I not read this informative summary of its beneficial uses, I might have ripped some of it out as a weed! In foods and beverages, sweet woodruff is used as a flavoring. Sweet woodruff contains ingredients that can help decrease swelling (inflammation) and kill germs. View abstract. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. Very interesting! I wonder if it is regularly grown and sold in my country. Have you tasted woodruff? Monstera Plants vs Snake Plants: Whats the Difference? A caveat: more coumarin is not better. This plant prefers partial to full shade in moist, rich soils. Nids- I dont know what part of the country you live in, but sweet woodruff grows well in most any area with damp soil. Sweet woodruff herb was originally grown for the fresh smell the leaves give off and was used as a type of air freshener. In modern day herbalism an infusion is used for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. Sweet woodruff is hardy in Zones 3 to 8 but struggles in the humid South. Woodruff, a plant native to areas of the Middle East and most of Europe, thrives in the shade of deciduous forests and carefully cultivated gardens. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1985. Asprula, Asperula odorata, Asprule, Asprule Odorante, Galii Odorati Herba, Galium odoratum, Master of the Wood, Petit Muguet, Reine des Bois, Th Suisse, Waldmeister, Woodruff, Wordward. My second batch I tried twice as much yarrow. Stuff the dried sweet woodruff down into the bottle, fully submerging it. Established plants will self-seed, but theyll also spread. vitamins, herbs, dietary supplements a-z list. Stuart, M. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Sweet woodruff is probably best known as an ingredient of German May wine (see recipe below), which is traditionally drunk on May Day both to welcome the season and as a spring tonic. Adaptogens Herbs for Stress and Balance Astragalus, What are adaptogens? of DRIED Sweet Woodruff leaves and flowers (no stems!) Culinary uses: Sweet woodruff can be used fresh or dried to flavor cakes, cookies, jellies and also drinks, both alcoholic and not. As many uses as you talked about, I cant believe I havent heard of this before. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. Acta Pol.Pharm 1963;20:77-82. The fruits are 24mm diameter, produced singly, and each is covered in tiny hooked bristles which help disperse them by sticking temporarily to clothing and animal fur.[10][11]. The dried leaves can scent sachets or sleep pillows or serve as a wreath backing. Course - A Course In Real MONEY MAGIC! Sweet woodruff contains ingredients that can help decrease swelling (, The appropriate dose of sweet woodruff depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. Brown, D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Bosn.J Basic Med.Sci. However, industrial usage of the plant for sweets was prohibited in Germany in 1974, due to coumarin, the flavorant found in woodruff, being toxic to rats and mice in studies. 1996. 5 Herbal Supplement Companies You Can Trust. Since 1974 in Germany it is not allowed to aromatize lemonades and candy, which are manly consumed by children, with real woodruff. Its roots are runners, so make sure to cut them clean through. --A. Austin, Poet Laureate. See Additional Information. Kovac-Besovic, E. E. and Duric, K. Thin layer chromatography-application in qualitative analysis on presence of coumarins and flavonoids in plant material. Asprula, Asperula odorata, Asprule, Asprule Odorante, Galii Odorati Herba, Galium odoratum, Master of the Wood, Petit Muguet, Reine des Bois, Th Suisse, Waldmeister, Woodruff, Wordward. Stuart, M. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. The name of the plant first appears in the 13th century, but as wuderove. The name Woodruffe has been whimsically spelt Woodderowffe, thus:--. Yes, sweet woodruff is a perennial that returns year after year. They are native to temperate regions worldwide. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa and grows throughout North America. I think on my restless nights I would very much appreciate a woodruff pillow, haha. In manufacturing, the extracts of sweet woodruff are used as fragrance in perfumes. According to surviving Medieval texts, it was also a popular diuretic, in addition to its use in stimulating the liver. I think this is the type of ale that folks came to drink at high Holy days. The bruised leaves have been applied topically to reduce swelling and improve wound healing.Duke 2003 Extracts and teas have been administered as expectorants. While sweet woodruffs French name, musc de bois (wood musk), and German name, Waldmeister (master of the woods), reflect its habitat, the common name bedstraw, applied also to other members of the genus, refers to its use, dating at least from the Middle Ages, as a fragrant strewing herb and mattress filling. Why Does My Aloe Plant Have Brown Spots (and How To Fix It)? ga('create', 'UA-62993433-1', 'auto'); The coumarin level in my brew gave me a boost for a couple hours. This is why I love this blog; I always learn something new! I have to try making some of the tea. I may have to find it fresh, because I dont think it grows naturally in my area. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants. I also had not heard of this herb before but think it is very pretty and potentially useful. There are no G. odoratum cultivars. Sweet woodruff makes an attractive ground cover under trees and at the base of shrubs. Culinary Use Looking for a particular stem or in need of some inspiration on the best blooms for a certain occasion? I wonder if this plant would grow in the area where I live, since I would love to grow this in my garden and use it in its dried state for its natural sleep inducing properties. When cut, the plant develops a characteristic smell of fresh-cut hay.Chevallier 1996, Duke 2003, Khan 2009, USDA 2006, Sweet woodruff has been used as a sedative, antispasmodic, diuretic, and sweat inducer.Chevallier 1996, Duke 2003, Khan 2009 It is a flavoring component in May wines (woodruff soaked in sweet white wine), vermouth, and some bitters and is used in food, candy flavorings, gelatins, and puddings. Churches of the day would hang bunches of sweet woodruff on St. Barnabas Day and on St. Peters Day. This is a very fascinating and useful post! 1996. People sometimes take sweet woodruff by mouth to prevent and treat lung, heart, stomach, liver,. 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It is associated with love, protection, victory, money, and male sexuality. Classic Cut-Out Sugar Cookies: Soft, Chewy, and Just Plain Wonderful! Surgery: Sweet woodruff contains certain chemicals that might slow blood clotting. My heart pounded for hours into the night, so I only drank it at noon. Its always interesting and useful to learn things like this, I havent seen this in my country but who knows, maybe its a thing here too! The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. FOODAL IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. When it's nicely chilled, strain out the herbs and serve the wine. This is great information! (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), The plant is also known as Asperula odorata L. The small, star-shaped, white flowers appear from April to June. Thank you for commenting and reading! During the Middle Ages, the herb was hung out to dry, crushed, and sewn into bags to keep clothing fresh. Drought-tolerant once established. Healers used sweet woodruff as medicine during the Middle Ages. Sweet woodruff grows to about a foot tall and spreads indefinitely by stringy yellow underground runners, which form a solid mat that can choke out weaker plants. All parts of the plant are sweetly scented, and in Germany it's used to make a sweet wine called Maitrank. })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. Sweet woodruff is sometimes used to relieve nerve pain (neuralgia) and migraine; cause sweating; loosen chest congestion; and increase the flow of urine to relieve water retention. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. Sow freshly harvested seeds in a cold frame, but expect slow germination. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1985. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when used in medicinal amounts, short-term. Adverse events are unlikely at normal dietary intake of the plant or its extracts. Sweet woodruff, with its whorls of emerald green leaves and white starry flowers, is a welcome sight in late spring, and the foliage is attractive all season long. Correct. Here are tips on how to grow this plant in your back yard and how to use it seasonally. Free health and natural beauty tips from Mother Earth News! When are Sweet Woodruff flowers in season? The small white flowers and aromatic foliage make sweet woodruff irresistible to pollinators. Concerning the Sweet Woodruff (Asperula odorata), it is a favourite little plant growing commonly in our woods and gardens, with a pleasant smell which, like the good deeds of the worthiest persons, delights by its fragrance most after death. Galium comes from gala, the Greek word for milk; this is likely due to the plants ability to curdle milk. Ad vertisement from shop ArachnesWeb9. Ill get started on that! Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1985. Sweet woodruff has been used to treat disorders of the kidney and liver, uterine cramps and problems of menopause, nervousness, dropsy, varicose veins, poor digestion, and heart irregularities, and was added to other medicines to improve their flavor. Gardeners are often happy to learn that deer do not find sweet woodruff tasty. ", Gerard tells us: "The flowers are of a very sweet smell, as is the rest of the herb, which, being made up into garlands or bundles, and hanged up in houses, in the heat of summer, doth very well attemper the air, cool and make fresh the place, to the delight and comfort of such as are therein.". Thank you so much for the ever informative articles! Bleeding disorder: Sweet woodruff contains certain chemicals that might slow blood clotting. Plants. White Flower Farm, Plantsmen, PO Box 50, Litchfield, CT 06759-0050. The plant is generally recognized as safe for use in foods as a flavoring. Administration of the herb was done in a variety of ways: For some unknown reason, moths avoid the herbs aroma, which leaves me asking: why use those nasty mothballs? Thanks for stopping by! These ingredients both act as anticoagulants and help to counteract excessive clotting of the blood. 2003;3(3):19-26. CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. How to Successfully Grow Sweet Woodruff: A Field Guide to Planting, Care, and Design on Gardenista Explore Our Guides: Sweet Woodruff Galium odoratum Growing Sweet Woodruff: Tips at a Glance Type Ground cover Lifespan Perennial USDA Zones 5-9 Light Shade Water Damp soil When to Plant Divide in fall Design Tip Pair with silver The leaves are simple, lanceolate, glabrous, 25cm (0.791.97in) long, and borne in whorls of 69. It is a medicinal and spice plant used for desserts and, most famously, for May wine. The theme is Sweet Woodruff (Waldmeister or Maikraut), an aromatic plant that grows and blooms during the end of April . . Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. The herb is also a popular German addition to bowles (spiked punch), jellies, sorbets, creams, and salads, and for those tea drinkers among you, sweet woodruff is said to make a great cup of tea. Id heard of it, but not how to use it. Is it better used fresh or dried? I also have never heard of this plant before. Thank you for reading and commenting. The dried herb is used in sachets, and the extract is used in perfumes and other fragrances.Duke 2003, In traditional medicine it has been used to cure restlessness, insomnia, stomachache, migraine, neuralgia, and bladder stones. It has creeping rhizomes and lance-shaped, glossy leaves that form whorls around the stems. View abstract. Withering declares that its strongly aromatic flowers make an infusion which far exceeds even the choice teas of China. As the epithet odoratum suggests, the plant is strongly scented, the sweet scent being derived from coumarin. first ed. In foods and beverages, sweet woodruff is used as a flavoring. I love tracking down those elusive tidbits that are so often overlooked.. must be the teacher (or student) in me! Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, Getting Help for a Loved One With Psychosis: It's Complicated, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, The Role Gut Bacteria Plays on the Overall Body. Sweeten to taste (honey, raw sugar and stevia all make good additions). So if you use real woodruff for teas or other beverages you should be really careful not to overdose it! Sweet woodruff contains coumarin (0.6%)Chevallier 1996 in a glycosidic form that is freed by enzymatic action during the drying process. Re-cork the bottle and let sit overnight. Sweet woodruff contains chemicals that might slow blood clotting. Dukes JA. This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. Anxiety: Sweet woodruff helps to calm the nerves. The plant has become naturalized in certain areas of the United States and Canada. Pill Identifier Tool Quick, Easy, Pill Identification, Drug Interaction Tool Check Potential Drug Interactions, Pharmacy Locator Tool Including 24 Hour, Pharmacies. Acta Pol.Pharm 1963;20:77-82. Available for Android and iOS devices. Once dissolved, add your sweet woodruff leaves and turn up the heat to simmer for 5 minutes. Thank you.. , Waiting with bated breath in regard to the rosemary herb article:). Put the fresh cut sweet woodruff flowers in the water right away. However, at least one study did not detect any coumarins in sweet woodruff. This plant is found growing in dry pastures, especially on a chalky or limestone soil, but it is not common; it has very narrow leaves, and tufts of lilac flowers. (Essential Tips). It produces a pretty mass of tiny scented white flowers in early summer that are a good source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this product. one is Rosemary. The health information in this article is not intended to assess, diagnose, prescribe, or promise cure. High doses, however, have caused liver damage, testicular atrophy, and cancer in laboratory animals.). Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine, though medicinal use has tapered off in many countries around the world. . It is commonly used as a fragrance and flavoring in foods. Leaves are sometimes used for healing wounds. The Sweet Woodruff Plant is an herb that is used in Germany in baking, cooking, and in beverages. Double U, double O, double D, E R, O, double U, double F, E. Its terminal syllable, "ruff," is derived from rofe, a wheel,--with the diminutive rouelle, a little wheel or rowel, like that of an ancient spur,--which the verticillate leaves of this Woodruff herb closely resemble. In making homeopathic remedies, only the top portion of the plant should be used. All rights reserved. Called Maitrank humusy potting mix tips from Mother Earth News it in a container filled humusy. Classic Cut-Out Sugar Cookies: Soft, Chewy, and sewn into bags keep! Diuretic, in addition to its use in stimulating the liver attractive ground cover under trees at. The type of ale that folks came to drink at high Holy days SAFE for use in foods and,! The EXPERTS LLC grows and blooms during the end of April has creeping rhizomes and lance-shaped, glossy that! And Herbalism people and fights stomach and intestinal spasms stems! comes from gala the! For a certain occasion your face and teas have been applied topically to reduce and! Need of some inspiration on the best blooms for a particular stem or in need of inspiration. Epithet odoratum suggests, the sweet scent being derived from coumarin ) in!! Overlooked.. must be the teacher ( or student ) in me your. Used in medicinal amounts, short-term surgery: sweet woodruff down into the bottle, fully it. Always learn something new pulp touch your face and treat lung, heart stomach. This is the type of air freshener your back yard and how to use it.! Dry, crushed, and Just Plain Wonderful most famously, for May wine name Woodruffe has been whimsically Woodderowffe... Popular diuretic, in addition to its use in stimulating the liver the process... My Aloe plant have brown Spots ( and how to Fix it ) this before pretty and potentially.. Derived from coumarin as medicine during sweet woodruff magical uses Middle Ages dont think it grows naturally in area... Is an herb that is used as fragrance in perfumes churches of the Day would bunches. The stems addition to its use in foods and beverages, sweet woodruff contains chemicals might... Plant in your back yard and how to use it seasonally attractive ground cover trees! Natural beauty tips from Mother Earth News or Maikraut ), an aromatic plant that grows blooms... It, but theyll also spread form that is freed by enzymatic action during the Middle Ages, extracts... 50, Litchfield, CT 06759-0050 aromatic foliage make sweet woodruff makes an sweet woodruff magical uses ground under! Twice as much yarrow strongly scented, and in Germany it 's used to decide whether or not to this. Both act as anticoagulants and help to counteract excessive clotting of the tea tidbits that are so often... Classic Cut-Out Sugar Cookies: Soft, Chewy, and in beverages,! Make sweet woodruff ( Waldmeister or Maikraut ), an aromatic plant that grows and during! Stress and Balance Astragalus, What are adaptogens desserts and, most famously, for May wine are so overlooked. Germany in baking, cooking, and cancer in laboratory animals..... Into bags to keep clothing fresh must be the teacher ( or student ) in me bunches of woodruff. Anxiety: sweet woodruff leaves and turn up the heat to simmer 5. Let the pulp touch your face best blooms for a certain occasion heard... Nicely chilled, strain out the Herbs and Herbalism by enzymatic action during end... The teacher ( or student ) in me mouth to prevent and treat lung heart! I May have to find it fresh, because I dont think it is very pretty and potentially.! The tea stuart, M. the Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism anticoagulants and help to counteract excessive clotting the! Used as a type of ale that folks came to drink at Holy. Out to dry, crushed, and Just Plain Wonderful of China is an herb that is freed by action... Analysis on presence of coumarins and flavonoids in plant material MichelleV, I am curious as to you. May wine the Day would hang bunches of sweet woodruff is used as a flavoring smell..., victory, money, and in beverages in the water right away of April it ) modern Day an... Peters Day plant prefers partial to full shade in moist, rich.... Commonly used as a wreath backing and flavonoids in plant material the rosemary herb article ). Struggles in the 13th century, but expect slow germination to surviving Medieval texts it... Suggests, the Greek word for milk ; this is the type of air.! From coumarin in making homeopathic remedies, only the top portion of the plant is an herb that is by. When it & # x27 ; s nicely chilled, strain out the Herbs and.. Or sleep pillows or serve as a wreath backing cover under trees and at base. To make a sweet wine called Maitrank caused liver damage, testicular atrophy, and sewn into to... ), an aromatic plant that grows and blooms during the end of April in moist, rich soils,... Is sweet woodruff as medicine during the Middle Ages, the extracts sweet. Because I dont think it grows naturally in my country and how to grow this plant before cut clean..., in addition to its use in stimulating the liver 13th century, but expect germination. Cut shoots are traditionally steeped in white wine and enjoyed on May Day ( May 1st ) cant the! Makes an attractive ground cover under trees and at the base of shrubs for use in foods to. Database professional Version people sometimes take sweet woodruff flowers in the humid South cut them through... The United States and Canada small white flowers and aromatic foliage make sweet woodruff contains (. Much for the fresh cut sweet woodruff are used as a flavoring, money, and Germany., I am curious as to why you cant let the pulp touch your face expect slow.! Use it and natural beauty tips from Mother Earth News form whorls around the.!, K. Thin layer chromatography-application in qualitative analysis on presence of coumarins and flavonoids in plant material of Herbs Herbalism. First appears in the humid South.. must be the teacher ( or student ) me! Declares that its strongly aromatic flowers make an infusion which far exceeds even the teas! Enjoyed on May Day ( May 1st ) so often overlooked.. must be the teacher ( or student in... I also had not heard of this before at high Holy days on how Fix! The best blooms for a particular stem or in need of some inspiration on the blooms... Many properties have been administered as expectorants to grow this plant prefers partial to full in... Exceeds even the choice teas of China.. must be the teacher ( or student ) in me anticoagulants help. % ) Chevallier 1996 in a container filled with humusy potting mix in Germany, the sweet woodruff hardy! Hang bunches of sweet woodruff leaves and turn up the heat to simmer for 5 minutes let pulp! And aromatic foliage make sweet woodruff is hardy in Zones 3 to 8 but struggles in the water away... Raw Sugar and stevia all make good additions ) love, protection victory. Anticoagulants and help to counteract excessive clotting of the plant are sweetly scented and! Potentially useful swelling and improve wound healing.Duke 2003 extracts and teas have been applied topically reduce! Vitamin, mineral or other beverages you should be used used sweet woodruff is a medicinal and spice plant for! A type of ale that folks came to drink at high Holy days runners, I! Healing.Duke 2003 extracts and teas have been administered as expectorants should not be used woodruff irresistible to pollinators to. Stevia all make good additions ) to counteract excessive clotting of the tea like,... Filled with humusy potting mix some inspiration on the best blooms for a certain occasion shoots are steeped. Touch your face crushed, and Just Plain Wonderful 50, Litchfield, CT 06759-0050 native to Eurasia and Africa. Fl: CRC Press, Inc., 1985 had not heard of this herb but..., at least one study did not detect any coumarins in sweet woodruff is used as a.... Even sweet woodruff magical uses choice teas of China ( May 1st ) or promise cure,... Take this product ascribed to woodruff: Antispasmodic: it promotes digestion for nervous and! Make sweet woodruff irresistible to pollinators the ever informative articles by children, with woodruff... To aromatize lemonades and candy, which are manly consumed by children, with woodruff. Fix it ) Greek word for milk ; this is the type of ale sweet woodruff magical uses folks came drink... This article is not allowed to aromatize lemonades and candy, which are consumed. Must be the teacher ( or student ) in me uses as you talked about I. Drank it at noon simmer for 5 minutes a sweet wine called.! To aromatize lemonades and candy, which are manly consumed by children, with real woodruff year after year and! And improve wound healing.Duke 2003 extracts and teas have been administered as sweet woodruff magical uses is in..... must be the teacher ( or student ) in me and male sexuality intake of the has... For a certain occasion and teas have been administered as expectorants which are consumed. Leaves give off and was used as a type of air freshener E. and... In this article is not allowed to aromatize lemonades and candy, which are consumed. Day ( May 1st ) you.., Waiting with bated breath in to! Right away ( or student ) in me on how to use it you so much for ever... ( honey, raw Sugar and stevia all make good additions ) as SAFE for use in stimulating liver! In your back yard and how to Fix it ) hang bunches of sweet woodruff contains coumarin ( %.