Description
Galium odoratum, also known as sweet woodruff, belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Sweet woodruff has been considered a medicinal and aromatic plant since the Middle Ages, mainly in European countries. G. odoratum is traditionally used to treat digestive and bladder disorders, hepatitis, and nervousness. Some of the therapeutic values of G. odoratum are listed in French and Polish Pharmacopoeia, but their properties are not yet known because research is ongoing.
Synonyms
- Asperula odorata
- Asperula eugeniae
- Chlorostemma odoratum
- Asterophyllum sylvaticum
- Asperula Matrisylva
Other Vernacular Names
- In English – Sweet woodruff, mugweed
- In French – aspérule odorante, gaillet odorant, hépatique étoilée, muguet des dames
- In German – echter Waldmeister, wohlriechendes Labkraut
- In Polish – marzanka wonna, przytulia wonna
Taxonomical Classification
- Kingdom – Plantae
- Phylum – Tracheophyta
- Class – Magnoliopsida
- Order – Gentianales
- Family – Rubiaceae
- Genus – Galium
- Species – G.odoratum
Habitat
Galium odoratum graces much of Europe, from sunny Spain and Ireland to the vast expanses of Russia. Also found in Western Siberia, Turkey, Iran, The Caucasus, China and Japan. Sweet woodruff thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, rich soils. In dry summers, it appreciates frequent watering. It can easily propagate by digging up the barely submerged perimeter stolons. It is an excellent choice as a groundcover or border accent in woody, acidic gardens where other shade plants struggle.
Morphology
Galium odoratum is a perennial herb from creeping rhizomes. Stem is 15-20 cm tall and the stem is ascending to erect. Basal leaves are few and stem leaves are 2-4 cm long, present in the whorl of 6-10, margins are entire and crushed leaves are aromatic. The leaves and foliage were used as a fragrant mattress and pillow stuffing, hence the common name bedstraw. The flowers are small white 4-petaled corollas in cymes with axillary stalks. It blooms between May and July and is found in base rich deciduous wood. Fruits are numerous, short, hooked bristles.
Ancient Text
For historical information on the usage of Sweet Woodruff, see Rembert Dodoens’ A Nievve Herbal, written in 1554 and reprinted in English in 1578. This herb was used to cure wounds, and some people mixed it with wine to reduce heartburn.
John Gerardi’s, The Heraball written in 1633
Practical Uses / Benefits
- Sweet woodruff was widely used as an external application to wounds and cuts.
- It is used to treat digestive and liver problems.
- It is used for diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Leaves are antispasmodic, cardiac, diaphoretic, and diuretic sedatives.
- Traditionally used to treat digestive and bladder disorders, hepatitis, and nervousness.
- An infusion is used in the treatment of insomnia, nervous tension, varicose veins, biliary obstruction, hepatitis and jaundice.
- The dried plant contains coumarins, and these act to prevent the clotting of blood, though in excessive doses, as they can cause internal bleeding. The plant is grown commercially as a source of coumarin, used to make an anticoagulant drug.
- Asperuloside (a terpenoid) present in galium can be converted into prostaglandins, hormone-like compounds that stimulate the uterus and affect blood vessels.
- A homoeopathic remedy made from the plant is used in the treatment of inflammation of the uterus.
- It is also used for dyeing purposes; a red dye is obtained from the root, and soft tan and grey-green dyes are obtained from the stems and leaves.
- Due to its aroma, it is used to keep rooms cool and fragrant during summer and also in the perfume industry.
- It also protects the linen cupboard from moths.
- It serves as a natural moth deterrent.
Edible Uses
The epithet “odoratum” hints at its strong scent. When wilted or dried, the plant’s sweet fragrance persists. People use it for various purposes, including:
- Potpourri: The dried plant is used in potpourri.
- Moth Deterrent: It serves as a natural moth deterrent.
- Flavouring Agent: Sweet woodruff flavours May wine, syrup for beer, brandy, jelly, jam, and even ice cream. In Germany, it was once used to flavour sherbet powder.
- Jellies: Sweet woodruff flavoured jellies, with or without alcohol, are quite popular.
Part Used
Flower & Leaves
Chemical Composition
A phytochemical analysis of the volatile compounds of Galium odoratum has identified the following:
- Coumarin is the primarily phytochemical found in Galiun odoratum, as its precursor melilotoside is the most investigated pharmacologically active substance, and its derivatives show various properties such as Warfarin (an anticoagulant), Isopteryxin (a neuroprotective), Ensaculin (a cognitive enhancer), Calanolide (an anti-HIV agent), Clauslactonan (anti cancer), and many more.
- Flavonoids: Quercetin, Kaempferol
- Phenolic Acids: Cinnamic, Coumaric, Caffeic, Hydroxybenzoic and Gallic Acids
- Iridoids: Asperuloside, Monotropein and Geniposidic acid
- Also contains Anthraquinones, Tannins, Terpenoids, and Vitamin C
Dosage
3 to 3.5 g of fresh woodruff per litre of beverage
Medicinal Properties
1. Effective in Wound healing and anti-inflammatory
Galium odoratum extract shows anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. Burn healing is the process that degenerates dermal and epidermal tissues. It stimulates inflammatory response quickly after injury, followed by an intense formation of tissue, which is mediated by leukocytes. During this phase, they generate free radicals at the inflamed site, which can cause damage to tissues and impair wound healing. Galium odoratum extract acts as scavenger for free radicals, which can help reduce inflammation and prevent fatal infections around the wound area. Therefore, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of Galium odoratum can play a major role in burn healing.
2. Antispasmodic Property And Promotes Restful Sleep
In homoeopathic tinctures, woodruff is widely used to promote restful sleep and reduce restlessness; its regular use can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches, offering a natural solution for pain relief. It also has antispasmodic properties, which make it effective in relieving spasmodic abdominal pain and improving comfort and wellbeing; it reduces sweat production; and it helps in balancing the body’s natural excretion of water.
3. Anti-Hypoxic And Sedative Activity
It is widely used as folk medicine in Ukraine as a sedative medicine for neurosis, neurasthenia, hysteria, depression and allergic rash; it is also used for metritis and colpitis in homoeopathy.
Alternative Medicinal Herbs In Ayurveda
Galium odoratum is a well known herb in European ancient texts. In Ayurveda, many herbs have the properties like sweet woodruff yet two Ayurvedic herbs Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) show similar kinds of properties.
1. Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica)
It is the best rejuvenated Ayurvedic herb used in the prevention or healing of scar tissues on small wounds, burns, psoriasis and scleroderma, as it promotes fibroblast proliferation, improves the tensile strength of newly formed skin. It reduces the inflammation associated with wounds and burns. It relieves the various disorders and promotes intelligence.
Ayurvedic Properties
- Guna (Qualities) : Laghu (light to digest)
- Rasa (Taste): Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (Bitter)
- Vipak (Post digestive effect): Madhura (sweet)
- Veerya (Potency): Sheetla (cold)
- Dosha Karma : Balances the vata and kapha dosha
Gotu kola is a potential Ayurvedic herb with an array of healthcare applications. It is widely accepted as neuroprotective activities and brain improvement. Due to the presence of wide bioactive compounds it has vast applications in inflammation, antioxidants, wound healing, improves blood circulation etc.
2. Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Yashtimadhu is commonly known as Glycyrrhiza glabra widely used in various systems of medicines i.e Ayurvedic, Allopathic and other traditional medicines. It is mainly used in the peptic ulcer, hepatitis C, and pulmonary and skin diseases.
Ayurvedic Properties
- Guna (Qualities) : Guru, Pichilam (Sticky, Heavy)
- Rasa (Taste): Madhura (Sweet)
- Vipak (Post digestive effect): Madhura (sweet)
- Veerya (Potency): Sheeta (cold)
- Dosha Karma : Balances the vata and pitta doshas
- Dhatu Karma : Balavarnkrit, Chakshushya, Kesya, Vrishya, Varnya
- Roga Karma : Chardi, Sosha, Trsna, Vrana
Yashtimadhu is a widely used classical medicinal plant and is found in various traditional formulas. The root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra relieves thirst, cough, asthma, bronchitis, abdominal colic, eye troubles and cures ulcers. Modern studies have also explicitly revealed that Yashtimadhu has a wide range of pharmacological effects such as healing, anti ulcer, anti inflammatory, skin regeneration activity, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, Anti hemorrhoidal activity, anti haemostatic activity, antimalarial activity, antioxidant, and immuno-stimulant activities.
Conclusion
Sweet woodruff plant is a unique plant mentioned in an European ancient text. This plant is known for its wound healing properties, preventing and treating lungs , heart, stomach, liver, gallbladder, and urinary tract infections. In Modern sciences, researchers are still trying to analyse the full potential of sweet woodruff and its application in human welfare.