Galium odoratum or woodruff

Galium odoratum begins to bloom in my garden, April 2011

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Articles

• "Galium odoratum is a perennial plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia" - Wikipedia
  

1. the plant is strongly scented, the sweet scent being derived from coumarin
2. the dried plant is used in pot-pourri and as a moth deterrent... to flavor May wine, in syrup for beer, brandy, sausages, jelly, jam, a soft drink, ice cream, and a herbal tea with gentle sedative properties
3. High doses can cause headaches, due to the toxicity of coumarin. Very high doses of coumarin can cause vertigo, somnolence or even central paralysis and apnoea while in a coma
   

• Sweet Woodruff - "Sweet woodruff is an ideal plant to use for under planting trees and shrubs. It also makes a pretty foil for growing tulips and late spring/early summer bulbs. It prefers a rich, moist, alkaline soil, but will happily grow in dry shade under trees and shrubs." - Herb Society

• Woodruff, sweet - A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve

1. Woodruff was much used as a medicine in the Middle Ages
2. The fresh leaves, bruised and applied to cuts and wounds, were said to have a healing effect, and formerly a strong decoction of the fresh herb was used as a cordial and stomachic
3. It is also said to be useful for removing biliary obstructions of the liver
   

Notes

• Use as ground cover plant in the bright shade
• Use in potpourri
• Use as tea, in sweet drinks or in wine

Videos

• Research topics: Sweet woodruff - playlist

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