What is woodruff?
Woodruff belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Woodruff is a perennial herb which can grow to 30 cm. Woodruff has narrow green leaves, and small white flowers that bloom in spring.
Parts used
All aboveground parts of woodruff are collected when flowering.
PhytochemicalsThese are typical phytochemicals found in woodruff: the main phytochemicals of woodruff include: asperuloside,
flavonoids,
tannins, coumarin.
Benefits of woodruff
Woodruff is used as antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, and stomachic. Coumarin acts as anticoagulant.
Woodruff has light sedative properties and is used to treat nervous tension and sleep problems. Other traditional uses are for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and wound healing.
Other facts
Woodruff is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Fresh woodruff leaves are used as flavouring in beverages. The characteristic hay aroma present in dry leaves comes from coumarin in the plant.
For example, May wine is made by adding springs of woodruff to Rhine. Dried woodruff leaves are used as an insect repellent and in potpourris.
Other names
Sweet woodruff, bedstraw, sweetscented bedstraw, hay plant, star grass, sweet grass.
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