Sweet Woodruff Plant

This lovely plant has beautiful star like white, fragrant flower in early Spring with pointy, starry type green leaves and reaches about 12 - 18" (30 - 45 cms) tall. The leaves have a hay like scent which is said to be good as an insect repellant, when eaten is said to have a vanilla flavour to it.

It grows as a ground cover and particularly likes a shady position so idea for growing under trees.

Sweet Woodruff is popular in Germany and can be found in their 'green Berliner Weisse' it is also used to flavour one of the Haribo sweets!

In Catholic mytholody bunches of sweet woodruff were hung in churches over the holidays, not only because it is sacred to the Virgin Mary but also to disguise the smell of unwashed people in the congregation! It is also believed that it was used in the bedding for baby Jesus.

Whilst this herb has many medicinal benefits and has traditional be used to treat just about everything (particularly if mixed with wine!) it should not be taken in large doses as it can cause liver damage or death!

Also known as Hay Plant, Kiss-me-quick, Mugwet, Rockweed, Sweet Grass, Fragrant Bedstraw, Our Lady's Bedstraw, Waldermeister and Woodruff; it's former botanical name is Asperula odorata.

• Perennial.
• Ground cover.
• Reaches 12 - 18" (30 - 45 cms) tall.
• White scented flowers in early Spring.
• Fragrant foliage.
• Will require water in a particularly dry Summer.
• Likes a shady or part shade position.
  
  
• Medicinal Uses
• To prevent & treat lung, stomach, liver, gallbladder and urinary problems.

• Culinary Uses
• Used in ice-cream and jelly.
• Herbal tea.
• Can make a syrup for beer,
• Makes a delicious sweet juice punch.

• Other Uses
• Pot pourri.
• Air freshner.
• Herb pillows.
• Deters moths.
• Insect repellant.

Disclaimer
As with all alternative medicines and plants with purported medicinal benefits it is important to inform your health care providers that you are using them; this helps to ensure safe and coordinated care. We can accept no liability for any side effect or contingency from any allergy or any other cause or harm that may arise. If in doubt please do consult a medical practitioner before using.