Sweet Woodruff
Sweet Woodruff
(Galium odoratum)
Galium odoratum is native to Europe, Northern Africa, Siberia and several regions in northern Iran (Kahkeshani et al., 2013). It was used as a remedy for wounds and cuts during the Middle Ages (Grieve, 1984). The flowering tops and aerial parts are traditionally used to treat circulation and venous disorders, jaundice, hemorrhoids and nervous agitation and the crushed leaves have been topically used to reduce swelling and accelerate wound healing (Gruenwald, Brendler, & Jaenicke, 2007; Zhou, Xie, & Yan, 2011). Previous studies have shown that Galium odoratum might have anti-inflammatory properties (Mascolo, Autore, Capasso, Menghini, & Fasulo, 1987).
It has long been used in Germany to flavor May Wine (see https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/what-is-may-wine/). However, the compound (coumarin) that gives the pleasant flavor is a potent anticoagulant.
Historical Use
Historical information on the use of Sweet Woodruff can be found in Rembert Dodoens’s A Nievve Herbal, written in 1554 and published in English in 1578. This plant was used to treat wounds and some would put it into wine to relieve the heart.
Latest Research
- Induction of subindividual variation: a commentary on ‘Intra-individual variation in Galium odoratum is affected by experimental drought and shading’by Mar Sobral on February 22, 2023 at 11:00 am
No abstract
- Intra-individual variation in Galium odoratum is affected by experimental drought and shadingby Charlotte Møller on December 22, 2022 at 11:00 am
CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental results reveal correlations of intra-individual variation with soil temperature, indicating that intra-individual variation can evolve and may be adaptive. Intra-individual variation responded plastically to drought and shading, suggesting functional changes to improve light capture and reduce evapotranspiration. In conclusion, intra-individual variation makes up the majority of total trait variation in this species and can play a key role in plant adaptation to…
- Christmas article: Can gin with herbs induce the vision of Christmas elves?by Kristian Dahl Friesgaard on December 13, 2022 at 11:00 am
CONCLUSION: Sweet woodruff, St. John’s wort and angelica were unable to relieve relevant Christmas symptoms as proposed by a medieval doctor. Alcohol ingestion might have influenced results, and data should be interpreted in the light of these precautions.
- Indications of Susceptibility to Calonectria pseudonaviculata in Some Common Groundcovers and Boxwood Companion Plantsby Patricia A Richardson on February 11, 2020 at 11:00 am
Knowing the host range of a pathogen is critical to developing and implementing effective disease management programs. Calonectria pseudonaviculata (Cps) is known to attack a number of species, varieties, and cultivars in the genus Buxus as well as three Pachysandra species (Pachysandra terminalis, Pachysandra procumbens, and Pachysandra axillaris) and several Sarcococca species, all in the Buxaceae family. The objective of this study was to evaluate non-Buxaceae groundcovers and companion…
- Antioxidant and burn healing potential of Galium odoratum extractsby N Kahkeshani on September 11, 2013 at 10:00 am
This study was conducted to evaluate the burn wound healing and antioxidant activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. in rats. Second degree burn wounds were induced in six groups of six rats each. Groups 1 and 2 received eucerin and silver sulfadiazine as control and reference standard and groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were given methanolic and aqueous extracts of 15% and 30% (w/w in eucerin base) respectively. The topical treatment was done daily for 14 days. The…
References
Grieve, A. (1984). A Modern Herbal.
Gruenwald, J., Brendler, T., & Jaenicke, C. (2007). PDR for herbal medicines: Thomson, Reuters.
Kahkeshani, N., Farahanikia, B., Mahdaviani, P., Abdolghaffari, A., Hassanzadeh, G., Abdollahi, M., & Khanavi, M. (2013). Antioxidant and burn healing potential of Galium odoratum extracts. Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(3), 197-203.
Mascolo, N., Autore, G., Capasso, F., Menghini, A., & Fasulo, M. P. (1987). Biological screening of Italian medicinal plants for anti‐inflammatory activity. Phytotherapy Research, 1(1), 28-31.
Zhou, J., Xie, G., & Yan, X. (2011). Encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicines. Isolat Compound AB, 1, 455.
Other Resources
Natural Medicines record: Sweet Woodruff (Access to UI only)