Health Benefits of Sweet Woodruff Sweet woodruff has been traditionally used to treat stomach disorders, gallbladder, heart, circulatory vessels, liver, lungs and … In spring, the plants are smothered with white flowers and the foliage has a sweet, haylike fragrance. Mowing around the area where you want sweet woodruff contained is generally sufficient to confine it. Sweet woodruff is a native plant from Europe, Africa, and Asia, but it grows throughout many regions of North America as well. is a creeping perennial plant in the Rubiaceae family, that thrives in the shade. - Tall and thick enough to block out weeds Sweet woodruff makes a big statement in the shade garden. Sweet woodruff herb is used for prophylaxis and therapy of diseases and discomforts of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, liver and gallbladder, as well as the kidney and urinary tract, also for circulatory disorders, venous complaints, weak veins, hemorrhoids, as an antiinflammatory and for dilation of the blood vessels. Sweet Woodruff Leaf Whorl. The plant typically blooms with white starry flowers in the late spring. In sandy, nutrient poor soil it may need fertilization in early spring, but in most places it does not need fertilizer. The plant has a sweet, hay-like fragrance derived from coumarin. Sweet woodruff, Galium odoratum, is a hardy perennial species with a wide native range, including the UK. How To Plant Your Sweet Woodruff Plants. Sweet woodruff, with its whorls of emerald green leaves and white starry flowers, is a welcome sight in late spring, and the foliage is attractive all season long. The aromatic intensity of woodruff intensifies when it is dried, making it a popular addition to sachets and potpourris. The "sweet" part of this delicate-looking beauty's name refers to the refreshing hay-like scent of its leaves and flowers. Another use for sweet woodruff is as a natural plant dye. Sow the seeds in the spring (note that if your are saving the sweet woodruff seeds for the next year, then the current years crop of seed would be fully ripe in July/August, the percentage of seeds to germinate can be increased by exposing the seeds to the cold. The leaves produce a light brown dye and the roots a … Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.) When dried, the leaves smell pleasantly of new-mown hay, honey, and vanilla. As far as I can tell, Sweet Woodruff is not bothered by any insects or diseases. That foliage stays clean and green throughout much of the year. Sweet Woodruff can be used as an insect repellent. Propagate by seed, cuttings, division or separation. It’s a woodland plant that is often grown for ground … Not enough is known about the safety of putting sweet woodruff on the skin. Sweet woodruff can cause headaches, dizziness, blackouts, and possibly liver damage when used long-term or in large amounts. Place the leaves in sachets and put in drawers, wardrobes and the kitchen. Plant it where you can control it easily. Sweet woodruff, or Galium odoratum (formerly classified as Asperula odorata), is a low-maintenance perennial long cultivated in shady gardens. Sweet woodruff contains a volatile oil that is made up of compounds such as hexanal, limonene, cineole, terpinene and borneol. Sweet woodruff has no major pests or diseases. Researchers agree that sweet woodruff can be used for treating several diseases and disorders such as; heart irregularities, kidney problem, varicose veins, indigestion, swelling, liver disorder, migraine, uterine cramps, insomnia and menopausal problems. 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