Herbs Guide

Woodruff

Family Name: Rubiaceae

Botanical Name(s): Galium odoratum (L.) Scop

Popular Name(s): Sweet Woodruff, Wild Baby's Breath, Cudweed (G. triflorum), Ladies Bedstraw

Parts Used: Leaves

Habitat: Woodruff is native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa.

Description: Woodruff is an herbaceous perennial and it grows to height of 30-50 cm. Its leaves are 2-5 cm long, lanceolate and occur in whorls of 6-9. Flowers are small with a diameter of 4-7 mm, white in colour and are joined together at the base. Its seeds are 2-4 mm in diameter.

Uses: Fresh leaves of Woodruff are used as flavouring agents in nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages. It has antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic and stomachic properties. The essential oil of woodruff is used as a carminative and mild expectorant. Its leaves are widely used as insect repellent.