Sweet Woodruff or Galium odoratum is from the family Rubiaceae. It likes damp rich soils (and it spreads!) it is very hardy and can grow in full shade. It flowers from May to July and seeds ripen from July to August. Use it as a ground cover in parts of your garden other plants won’t grow in.

Edible uses: You can make a tea from the green dried leaves and flowers. You can also use the leaves as a flavouring in cooling drinks (as uou would use mint)

Medicinal Properties:

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 In current day herbalism it is valued mainly for its tonic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory affect

·              The leaves are antispasmodic, cardiac, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative  - take as infusion

·               An infusion is used in the treatment of insomnia and nervous tension, varicose veins, biliary obstruction, hepatitis and jaundice

The plant is harvested just before or as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use]. One report says that it should be used with caution whilst another says that it is entirely safe

Warning : Excessive doses can produce dizziness and symptoms of poisoning. The dried plant contains coumarins and these act to prevent the clotting of blood - though in excessive doses it can cause internal bleeding. Do not use this remedy if you are taking conventional medicine for circulatory problems or if you are pregnant

Other interesting information

A number of species in this genus contain asperuloside, a substance that produces coumarin and gives the scent of new-mown hay as the plant dries. Asperuloside can be converted into prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels), making the genus of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry..

Other uses

Although the fresh plant has very little aroma, as it dries it becomes very aromatic with the scent of newly-mown grass and then retains this aroma for years It was used in the linen cupboard to protect from moths etc.

It was also formerly used as a strewing herb and is an ingredient of pot-pourri. It was also hung up in bunches in the home in order to keep the rooms cool and fragrant during the summertime.