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
- Comprehensive analysis of natural products of Galium odoratum (Rubiaceae), focusing on the formation of coumarin during the drying processby Isabelle Herre on March 23, 2025 at 10:00 am
Changes in the contents of coumarin and its precursors were monitored during the post-harvest drying process of Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. (Rubiaceae) to get scientific support for the traditional preparation of “Maibowle” (an alcoholic beverage made of white wine, sparkling wine, and G. odoratum shoots and sometimes additional ingredients) in Germany, which involves pre-drying of the freshly harvested herb for two to 24 h. The contents of coumarin, cis-melilotoside, and trans-melilotoside in G….
- Phenolic Content and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cultivated and Wild-Type Galium odoratum Extracts in Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophagesby Valerija Razzivina on January 8, 2025 at 11:00 am
Galium odoratum, commonly known as sweet woodruff, is a perennial herbaceous plant that contains coumarin and is recognized for its medicinal properties. In this study, the influence of sunlight exposure on the phytochemical composition and anti-inflammatory potential of G. odoratum extracts is assessed. The extracts from cultivated and wild-grown plants were analyzed via chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods. In addition, the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and effects on…
- Correction to: Intra-individual variation in Galium odoratum is affected by experimental drought and shadingon December 10, 2024 at 11:00 am
No abstract
- Plant roots affect free-living diazotroph communities in temperate grassland soils despite decades of fertilizationby Marlies Dietrich on July 10, 2024 at 10:00 am
Fixation of atmospheric N(2) by free-living diazotrophs accounts for an important proportion of nitrogen naturally introduced to temperate grasslands. The effect of plants or fertilization on the general microbial community has been extensively studied, yet an understanding of the potential combinatorial effects on the community structure and activity of free-living diazotrophs is lacking. In this study we provide a multilevel assessment of the single and interactive effects of different…
- 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
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)