Woodruff is a herb. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine, though medicinal use has tapered off in many countries around the world.
Contents
Uses
- Used internally, on the skin, as flavouring and in perfumes.
Benefits
People take sweet woodruff for preventing and treating lung, stomach, liver,gallbladder, and urinary disorders. They also use it for heart problems, “bloodpurification,” “weak veins,” and other circulation problems.
Other uses include treating restlessness, agitation, hysteria, and trouble sleeping(insomnia). Sweet woodruff is sometimes used to relieve nerve pain (neuralgia) andmigraine; cause sweating; loosen chest congestion; and increase the flow of urine to relieve water retention.
Some people apply sweet woodruff directly to the affected areas for skin diseases, wounds, vein problems, hemorrhoids, and swelling.
In foods and beverages, sweet woodruff is used as a flavoring.
In manufacturing, the extracts of sweet woodruff are used as fragrance in perfumes.
Cautions
Sweet woodruff is LIKELY SAFE in when consumed in amounts normally found in food. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when used in medicinal amounts, short-term. Sweet woodruff can cause headaches, blackouts, and liver damage when used long-term.
Not enough is known about the safety of putting sweet woodruff on the skin.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking sweet woodruff if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorder: 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 certain chemicals that might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using sweet woodruff at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
No interactions are known. Please consult your pharmacist.
Other names
Aspérula, Asperula odorata, Aspérule, Aspérule Odorante, Galii Odorati Herba, Galium odoratum, Master of the Wood, Petit Muguet, Reine des Bois, Thé Suisse, Waldmeister, Wordward