Sweet Woodruff
OTHER NAME(S): Aspérula, Aspérule, Galii Odorati Herba, Master of the Wood, Petit Muguet, Reine des Bois, Thé Suisse, Waldmeister, Woodruff, Wordward, Galium odoratum, Asperula odorata, Aspa Dulce, Aspérule Odorante
Overview
Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a plant native to Europe, Iran, Siberia, and Northern Africa. Its leaves and flowers are used as medicine.
Sweet woodruff contains chemicals that might help heal wounds and burns.
People use sweet woodruff for high blood pressure, insomnia, migraine headache, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Sweet Woodruff overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Sweet woodruff is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. It's generally well-tolerated. Side effects might include headache.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sweet woodruff is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Sweet woodruff is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. It's generally well-tolerated. Side effects might include headache.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sweet woodruff is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if sweet woodruff is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorders: Sweet woodruff contains certain chemicals that might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Surgery: Sweet woodruff contains chemicals that might slow blood clotting. This might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using sweet woodruff at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Sweet WoodruffSweet woodruff might slow blood clotting. Taking sweet woodruff along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of sweet woodruff might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Dukes JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. first ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc., 1985.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Sulma, T. and Wierzchowska, K. [Studies on the content of coumarin in the herbs of the woodruff (Herba Asperulae odoratae) throughout the vegetative period of the plant.]. Acta Pol.Pharm 1963;20:77-82.
- Kovac-Besovic, E. E. and Duric, K. Thin layer chromatography-application in qualitative analysis on presence of coumarins and flavonoids in plant material. Bosn.J Basic Med.Sci. 2003;3(3):19-26.
- Chevallier, A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. 1996.
- Grieve. A Modern Herbal. 1984.
- Wierzchowska-Renke, K. [Study of the content of 1-ascorbic acid in the herb Asperulae odoratae L. depending on the stage of its development in the period of vegetation]. Acta Pol.Pharm 1969;26(2):181-185.
- Brown, D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. 1995.
- Stuart, M. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. 1979.
- Kahkeshani N, Farahanikia B, Mahdaviani P, et al. Antioxidant and burn healing potential of Galium odoratum extracts. Res Pharm Sci 2013;8(3):197-203.