Galium odoratum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64403c7563dfa434259922 |
| Scientific name | Galium odoratum |
| Authority | Scop. |
| First published in | Fl. Carniol. , ed. 2, 1: 105 (1771) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
The sweet-scented herb of Galium odoratum, a low-growing woodland plant with tiny white flowers, has long been valued in Europe for calming teas. Historic sources, including Madaus’s 1938 materia medica and 16th–17th century herbals such as Gerard (1597) and Culpeper (1653), describe infusions of the aerial parts for restlessness, nervous tension, and mild digestive upset. Indigenous practitioners of the southern Andes also use it: among the Mapuche of southern Chile, Bennett et al. (2021) record that a weak tea of the leaves and stems is taken for insomnia and agitation, while a leaf poultice is applied to bruises. In parts of Central and Eastern Europe, folk practitioners still prepare decoctions of the whole herb for skin inflammations, and in the Caucasus and western Russia macerations of the fresh herb in oil or alcohol are used externally as liniments for bruises and rheumatic aches, as noted by Toguzov and colleagues (2000) in their ethnomedical surveys.
A simple and safe preparation is a mild sleep-support tea. Place 1 to 2 teaspoons (about 1.5 to 3 grams) of dried aerial herb in a cup, pour 200 milliliters of just-boiled water over it, cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. A 1:5 ethanol tincture can be made by macerating 20 grams of dried herb in 100 milliliters of 45% ethanol for two weeks, shaking daily and filtering. Use no more than 2 to 4 milliliters of the tincture, or 1 to 2 cups of tea, per day for short periods, and avoid excessive, frequent use. Because the plant contains coumarin, long-term use, high doses, and concurrent anticoagulants or medications that affect liver enzymes are not recommended; it is not used internally during pregnancy or lactation.
The characteristic aroma of the herb comes chiefly from coumarin, formed when the glucoside coumarin is enzymatically released after cutting or drying. Anthraquinones such as alizarin and rubiadin, iridoids, and flavonoids like luteolin have also been documented for G. odoratum (European Medicines Agency monograph on Galium odoratum, 2014; ESCOP Monographs, 2003). These compounds plausibly underpin the gentle sedative, antispasmodic, and mild anti-inflammatory actions recorded in traditional use.
Interest in sweet woodruff remains steady in modern herbal practice and niche commerce. Current research focuses on its coumarin profile and antioxidant constituents, and the herb continues to be sold as a dried tea herb and specialty tincture, with the caution that products must declare coumarin content and that high, prolonged dosing should be avoided.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Dried aerial parts (herbage) for potpourri and scented sachets.
- Coumarin extract (obtained by solvent extraction of fresh or dried plant material) for use as a fragrance and flavor ingredient.
Industrial and craft applications:
- Inclusion in natural fragrance blends for soaps, detergents, and candles.
- Use as a component of scented craft items (e.g., potpourri blends, scented candle wax) to provide a sweet aroma.
- Coumarin‑rich extracts are used as reference standards in analytical chemistry for quantification of coumarin in plant materials.
- The plant’s transcriptome is publicly available in genomic databases, serving as a model system for coumarin biosynthetic pathway studies.
- Used in solid air‑freshener formulations, such as scented sachets and reed diffusers, to impart a sweet, hay‑like aroma.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Flavoring of May wine (Maiwein) and similar German‑style wines by steeping fresh or dried herb.
- Incorporation into syrups, fruit preserves, and confectionery as a flavor component (e.g., woodruff‑infused syrup).
Colorants and tanning:
- Extracts of the aerial parts produce a yellow‑green natural dye for protein fibers (wool, silk) when mordanted with alum; dye chemistry based on flavonoids such as quercetin and luteolin.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- Coumarin isolated from the plant is used as a top‑note in fine fragrance and household products.
- Dried herb placed in sachets releases a sweet, hay‑like scent used in personal‑care items such as scented soaps.
- Coumarin functions as a fixative in perfume formulations, extending the longevity of lighter fragrance notes.
Properties relevant to use:
- Coumarin content typically 0.2–0.8 % (w/w) of dry weight, providing the characteristic sweet odor used in flavor and fragrance applications.
- Volatile profile dominated by coumarin, phenolic aldehydes, and terpenoids, offering a stable scent base.
- Flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin) confer yellow‑green coloration to extracts under alkaline conditions, enabling natural dye production.
- Soluble fiber content low (≈ 5 % of dry weight), limiting application as a structural material.
- Coumarin is soluble in ethanol and diethyl ether, enabling efficient solvent extraction from plant material.
Standards and regulation:
- Coumarin as a food flavoring is regulated by the EU (Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008) with a maximum level of 2 mg kg⁻¹ in certain food categories.
- Fragrance use of coumarin follows IFRA guidelines; typical maximum concentration in skin‑contact products is 0.25 % (w/w).
- Natural textile dyes for commercial use must comply with EU REACH regulation and relevant national textile safety standards.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- The species is cultivated in Central Europe and parts of Asia for commercial herb production; sustainable wild‑harvesting practices are employed to avoid depletion.
- Cultivation yields moderate biomass (≈ 2 t ha⁻¹ dry herb) and can be integrated into small‑holder agro‑forestry systems, supporting local economies.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Asperula eugeniae | K.Richt. | Abh. K. K. Zool.-Bot. Ges. Wien 38: 219 (1888) |
| Asperula odorata | L. | Sp. Pl. : 103 (1753) |
| Asterophyllum asperula | K.F.Schimp. & Spenn. | Fl. Friburg. 3: 1077 (1829) |
| Asterophyllum sylvaticum | K.F.Schimp. & Spenn. | Fl. Friburg. 3: 1077 (1829) |
| Chlorostemma odoratum | Fourr. | Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon , n.s., 16: 398 (1868) |
| Asperula matrisylva | Gilib. | Exerc. Bot. : 5 (1782) |
| Asperula odora | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 57 (1796) |
| Galium matrisylva | F.H.Wigg. | Prim. Fl. Holsat. : 13 (1780) |
| Galium odoratum var. eugeniae | (K.Richt.) Ehrend. | Fl. Wien, Niederöst. & Nordburg. , ed. 2: 470 (1977) |
| Asperula odorata var. trifida | Sennen | Exsicc. (Pl. Espagne) 1928: n.° 6580 (1929) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | woodruff |
| English | sweetscented bedstraw |
| English | sweet woodruff |
| English | sweet scented bed straw |
| Spanish | asperilla |
| Spanish | asperilla olorosa |
| Spanish | asperula olorosa |
| Spanish | bregandia |
| Spanish | hepatica estrellada |
| Spanish | hepática estrellada |
| Spanish | hierba de la opilada |
| Spanish | reina de los bosques |
| Spanish | rubia menor |
| Spanish | rubilla |
| Arabic | جويسئة عطرة |
| Arabic | جويسة عطرة |
| Arabic | اسبرولة العطرية |
| Azerbaijani | Ətirli çətiryarpaq |
| Azerbaijani | Ətirli qatıqotu |
| azb | عطیرلی چتیریارپاق |
| ba | Яҙғы бөрмәкәй |
| Belarusian | дзярачка пахучая |
| Bulgarian | Лазаркиня |
| Bulgarian | Ароматна лазаркиня |
| Bulgarian | Благовонен брош |
| Bulgarian | Бодисора |
| Bulgarian | Лазаркиня миризлива |
| br | menoued |
| Catalan | espunyidella d'olor |
| Czech | svízel vonný |
| Czech | mařinka vonná |
| Welsh | briwydd bêr |
| Danish | skovmærke |
| Danish | bukkar |
| German | waldmeister |
| German | echter waldmeister |
| German | möschen |
| German | mösch |
| German | gliedegenge |
| German | herzensfreund |
| German | herzfreud |
| German | herzfreund |
| German | maienkraut |
| German | maikraut |
| German | mäserich |
| German | schumarkel |
| German | waldmeisterpflanze |
| Esperanto | asperulo |
| Estonian | lõhnav madar |
| Basque | ziabelar usaindun |
| Persian | زبرینه |
| Persian | زبرینه (گیاه) |
| Finnish | tuoksumatara |
| French | aspérule odorante |
| French | reine des bois |
| French | belle-étoile |
| French | gaillet odorant |
| frr | möösken |
| Irish | lus moileas |
| Galician | Áspera |
| Hindi | वुडरफ |
| Croatian | lazarkinja |
| Upper Sorbian | wonjaty sydrik |
| Upper Sorbian | jadrowe zelo |
| Upper Sorbian | wonjata serlica |
| Upper Sorbian | wumara |
| Upper Sorbian | Žerlica |
| Hungarian | szagos müge |
| Armenian | Գետնաստղ բուրավետ |
| Icelandic | anganmaðra |
| Italian | asperula |
| Japanese | クルマバソウ |
| Cornish | kala hweg |
| lb | meekraitchen |
| Lithuanian | kvapusis lipikas |
| Lithuanian | kvapioji krūnė |
| Latvian | smaržīgais miešķis |
| Latvian | smaržīgā madara |
| Macedonian | Лазарка |
| Macedonian | миризлива брошт |
| Norwegian Bokmål | myske |
| nds | möösch |
| nds | määsch |
| nds | maehsch |
| nds | maesch |
| nds | meesk |
| nds | meusch |
| Dutch | lievevrouwebedstro |
| Dutch | lievevrouwenbedstro |
| Dutch | onze-lieve-vrouwe-bedstro |
| os | Хæрздæф цъиувæдис |
| Polish | przytulia wonna |
| Polish | marzanka wonna |
| Polish | marzanna wonna |
| Romanian | mireasa vinului |
| Russian | Подмаренник душистый |
| Kinyarwanda | asiperile ihumura |
| Slovak | lipkavec voňavý |
| Slovak | lipkavec marinkový |
| Slovak | marinka voňavá |
| Slovenian | dišeča perla |
| Serbian | Лазаркиња |
| Swedish | myskmadra |
| Swedish | myska |
| Turkish | kokulu yoğurt otu |
| Ukrainian | Маренка запашна |
| Walloon | rinne-des-bwès |
| Chinese | 车轴草 |
| Chinese | 香猪殃殃 |
| Chinese | 香豬殃殃 |
| Chinese | 香车叶草 |
| Chinese | 香車葉草 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Northern Africa
- Algeria
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Northern Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Caucasus
- North Caucasus
- Transcaucasus
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China
- China North-central
- China South-central
- Inner Mongolia
- Manchuria
- Qinghai
- Xinjiang
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Korea
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Russian Far East
- Primorye
- Sakhalin
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Siberia
- Altay
- Krasnoyarsk
- West Siberia
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Western Asia
- Iran
- Turkey
-
Caucasus
-
Europe click to expand
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Eastern Europe
- Baltic States
- Belarus
- Central European Russia
- East European Russia
- Krym
- North European Russia
- Northwest European Russia
- South European Russia
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
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Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Finland
- Great Britain
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
-
Southeastern Europe
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Greece
- Italy
- Romania
- Sicilia
- Turkey-in-Europe
- Yugoslavia
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Southwestern Europe
- Corse
- France
- Spain
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Eastern Europe
-
Northern America click to expand
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Minnesota
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- New York
- Vermont
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Northwestern U.S.A.
- Colorado
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North-central U.S.A.
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000969693 |
| UNII | RWA42WS5A6 |
| Canadensys | 9012 |
| USDA Plants | GAOD3 |
| Tropicos | 27900095 |
| INPN | 99488 |
| Flora of Italy | 4119 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:750339-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-87028 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 286666 |
| PFAF | Galium odoratum |
| Open Tree Of Life | 598872 |
| Observations.org | 6814 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 35899 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000004306 |
| Nature Serve | 2.133376 |
| IPNI | 750339-1 |
| iNaturalist | 56065 |
| GBIF | 2914642 |
| Freebase | /m/04k1xv |
| EPPO | GALOD |
| EOL | 1107990 |
| Elurikkus | 4838 |
| USDA GRIN | 103279 |
| Wikipedia | Galium_odoratum |
| CMAUP | NPO17395 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones | |||||
| 1-Methoxy-2-methyl-anthraquinone | 3534338 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)OC | 252.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| Alizarin 2-methyl ether | 80103 | Click to see | 254.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones | |||||
| 1,3-Dihydroxyanthraquinone | 196978 | Click to see | 240.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| 2-Hydroxyanthraquinone | 11796 | Click to see | 224.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| Alizarin | 6293 | Click to see | 240.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| Lucidin | 10163 | Click to see | 270.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Purpurin anthraquinone | 6683 | Click to see | 256.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives | |||||
| 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid | 135 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O | 138.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids | |||||
| Gallic Acid | 370 | Click to see | 170.12 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols | |||||
| Vanillin | 1183 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=O)O | 152.15 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Diosgenin | 99474 | Click to see CC1CCC2(C(C3C(O2)CC4C3(CCC5C4CC=C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)C)C)OC1 | 414.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroidal alkaloids / Spirosolanes and derivatives | |||||
| Solasodine | 442985 | Click to see CC1CCC2(C(C3C(O2)CC4C3(CCC5C4CC=C6C5(CCC(C6)O)C)C)C)NC1 | 413.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| [(4S,7S,8S)-4-methyl-2-oxo-8-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,9-dioxatricyclo[5.3.1.04,11]undeca-1(10),5-dien-6-yl]methyl acetate | 11968866 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1=CC2(C3C1C(OC=C3C(=O)O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)C | 428.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoic Acid | 2518 | Click to see | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| 4-Coumaric acid | 322 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| Caffeic Acid | 689043 | Click to see | 180.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| P-Coumaric Acid | 637542 | Click to see | 164.16 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/J39680000854 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| Coumarin | 323 | Click to see | 146.14 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/ARDP.19252631103 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / 8-prenylated flavans / 8-prenylated flavanones | |||||
| [(4S,12R,15S,16S)-14,14-dimethyl-6-oxo-4-phenyl-3,11,13-trioxatetracyclo[8.6.0.02,7.012,16]hexadeca-1(10),2(7),8-trien-15-yl] acetate | 42607797 | Click to see | 394.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |