sweet woodruff
Galium odoratum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Extensive (164 studies) · ★★★★☆
Sweet woodruff, scientifically known as Galium odoratum, is a fragrant perennial herb native to Europe. Renowned for its distinct vanilla-like scent, it contains coumarin, which offers medicinal properties including anti-inflammatory and sedative effects. Traditionally used in teas and flavoring, this woodland plant remains a fascinating subject in herbalism.
Names
Common Names
- sweet woodruff
- sweet white woodruff
- sweet woodruff
- sweet-scented bedstraw
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Asperilla olorosa
- Rubia menor
- Chlorostemma odoratum
- Asperula odorata
- Rubilla
- Galium matrisylva
- Asperula olorosa
- Bregandia
- Hierba de la opilada
- Reina de los bosques
- Asperula matrisylva
- Asterophyllum asperula
- Hepática estrellada
- Hepatica estrellada
- Asterophyllum sylvaticum
- Asperula odora
- Asperilla
- Asperilla
German:
- Waldmeister
- Mösch
- Maienkraut
- Mäserich
- Maikraut
- Asperula odorata
- Gliedegenge
- Herzfreud
- Schumarkel
- Waldmeisterpflanze
- Möschen
- Herzfreund
- Herzensfreund
- Echter Waldmeister
- Waldmeister
- Felsen-Meier
- Echter Waldmeister
French:
- Gaillet odorant
- Aspérule odorante
- Asperula odorata
- Belle-étoile
- Reine des bois
- aspérule odorante
- gaillet odorant
- Petit Muguet
- Reine-des-bois
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Galium odoratumSynonyms
- Chlorostemma odoratum
- Asperula odorata var. trifida
- Asperula odorata
- Asterophyllum asperula
- Asterophyllum sylvaticum
- Asperula eugeniae
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Gentianales, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Galium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Galium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, known as Galium odoratum, exhibits a specific geographical range across the northern regions of the continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Denmark. Its distribution also extends to the Scandinavian landscapes of Norway and Finland. Furthermore, the species is present across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its primary habitat within the Northern European territory.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Chemicals
Galium odoratum has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include coumarin, Anthraquinones, Asperuloside, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Coumarins.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| coumarin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthraquinones | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Asperuloside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHLOROGENIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coumarins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Monotropein | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nicotinic acid amide | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| RUTIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| TANNIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
coumarin
- Dr. Duke
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
Anthraquinones
- Dr. Duke
Asperuloside
- Dr. Duke
CHLOROGENIC ACID
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
Coumarins
- Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences
Flavonoids
- Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences
Monotropein
- Dr. Duke
Nicotinic acid amide
- Dr. Duke
RUTIN
- Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
TANNIC ACID
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Galium odoratum has 147 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic, Allergenic, Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor, Analgesic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelochemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpha-Amylase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anesthetic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiCrohn's | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiHIV | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaggregant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Galium odoratum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, urinary tract infections.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | Journal of Cancer (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| urinary tract infections | Urological research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| extracts | Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |