Sweet Woodruff
Other Names : Galium odoratum, Asperula odorata, woodruff, Wild baby's breath, Master of the woods, herb walter, kiss-me-quick, master of the forest, master of the woods, our lady's lace, sweet scented bedstraw, Waldmeister, wood rove, wuderove, Lievevrouwebedstro, Petit Muguet, Reine-des-bois
It is native to Europe where it can be found from the Scandinavian countries to Britain. It is very popular in Germany where it is called Waldmeister or Master of the Forest. Sweet woodruff leaves are commonly used to flavor May wine in Germany and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers sweet woodruff safe when taken in alcoholic beverages.
See also : Coumarin
Special Precautions of Sweet Woodruff
- Sweet woodruff contains coumarin, which give it a sweet scent. Very high doses of coumarin can be toxic, which lead to a ban of its use in commercial food stuffs in Germany since 1981.
- Anti-coagulation medications (warfarin, heparin): Studies have shown sweet woodruff to contain coumarin derivatives. Theoretically, sweet woodruff should be avoided in patients using coagulation therapy due to possible additive effects.
- Anti-coagulation herbs: Studies have shown sweet woodruff to contain coumarin derivatives. Theoretically, sweet woodruff should be avoided in patients using other herbal medications that have anti-coagulant properties (e.g., garlic) due to possible additive effects.
Health Benefits and Uses of Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff was widely used in herbal medicine during the Middle Ages, gaining a reputation as an external application to wounds and cuts and also taken internally in the treatment of digestive and liver problems. Today, it is valued mainly for its tonic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory affects.
- wound healing
- stomach upsets
- weak veins and circulatory problems
- for strengthening the nervous system and heart function
- for blood purification.
