© Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Galium odoratum
CautionWaldmeister · (Galium odoratum)
Madder family (Rubiaceae)
Description
Only as it starts to wilt does sweet woodruff release its characteristic scent of freshly cut hay, a fragrance owed to its coumarin content that has made the plant a classic ingredient of May wine. The herb is harvested just before and during flowering in May and June, when it also contains iridoids such as asperuloside and tannins. Folk tradition serves a mild evening infusion for restlessness and difficulty falling asleep, and the herb is traditionally used for digestive and liver complaints as well. Because dried material can contain coumarin at up to about one percent, daily intake should stay limited, since larger amounts can cause headaches and dizziness and, with frequent use, strain the liver. Herb stored while damp can also form dicoumarol, a potent anticoagulant, so sweet woodruff should always be kept dry and used only in moderation.
CONTRAINDICATED during pregnancy
Do not use during pregnancy; coumarin and iridoid glycosides may stimulate the uterus.
Critical drug interactions with:
Antikoagulanzien (Warfarin, Phenprocoumon)
Infusion of dried herb (1–2 g per cup) for nervousness, sleep disturbances, and tension headaches. Iridoid glycosides (asperuloside) and coumarin (formed from coumarin glycosides) exert mildly sedative and antispasmodic effects.
Preparation & dosage
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 4 weeks
Used in folk medicine for liver complaints, biliary obstruction, and jaundice. The antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of iridoid glycosides (asperuloside, monotropein) support this application.
Preparation & dosage
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 2×
- Max duration
- 3 weeks
Used as a mild diuretic for mild urinary tract irritation and as supportive flushing therapy. Coumarin derivatives have vasodilatory effects and promote renal perfusion.
Preparation & dosage
- Dry amount
- 1–2 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
- Max duration
- 2 weeks
Cooled infusion or freshly crushed herb as a moist compress for small wounds, skin irritation, and minor burns. In vitro studies confirm antioxidant and wound-healing properties of the polyphenols.
Briefly wilted or max. 2–24 h pre-dried fresh herb as aromatic flavouring in May wine and herbal liqueurs. Maximum 3–3.5 g fresh herb per litre (BfR recommendation, coumarin ≤ 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day). Dried herb loses some coumarin through sublimation.
Used in folk medicine for venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Coumarin and rutin stabilise capillary walls and mildly inhibit coagulation; contraindicated when taking anticoagulants.
Contains coumarin (approx. 0.28 % in fresh herb, approx. 1 % in dry matter before sublimation). Limit daily coumarin intake to max. 0.1 mg/kg body weight (BfR). Larger amounts cause headaches, dizziness, and with frequent consumption can damage the liver. Damp storage promotes formation of dicoumarin (potent anticoagulant — bleeding risk).
Do not use during pregnancy; coumarin and iridoid glycosides may stimulate the uterus.
Insufficient data; avoid as a precaution.
Due to coumarin content, use in children under 12 only on medical advice and in very small amounts.
Drug interactions
Antikoagulanzien (Warfarin, Phenprocoumon)
Coumarin and dicoumarin from damp herb may potentiate anticoagulant effect; increased bleeding risk.
Thrombozytenaggregationshemmer (Aspirin, Clopidogrel)
Additive inhibition of platelet function by coumarin derivatives possible.
Contraindications
- Concomitant use of anticoagulants (coumarin antagonism — increased bleeding tendency).
- Known hypersensitivity to Galium species or the Rubiaceae family.
- Severe liver disease (impaired coumarin metabolism).
Harvested part: herb before and during flowering
- Time of day:
- Morning after the dew has dried; harvest herb preferably just before or during flowering.
- Drying:
- For May wine: wilt for 2–24 hours (develops coumarin scent), then use fresh. For tea/drying: dry at max. 40 °C; coumarin partially sublimates with prolonged drying.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Store dry (not damp!) — damp storage promotes formation of dicoumarin. Airtight containers, protected from light.
- CumarinOtherContent: ca. 0,28 % (Frischkraut); bis 1 % (Trockenmasse vor Sublimation)Aerial parts
Formed during drying from coumarin glycosides (cis- and trans-melilotoside) through enzymatic hydrolysis; responsible for the characteristic hay-like scent. Sedative, antispasmodic, vasodilatory; hepatotoxic in overdose.
- AsperulosidGlycosideContent: ca. 0,05 %Aerial parts
Iridoid glycoside; anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory; one of the marker compounds of Galium odoratum.
- MonotropeinGlycosideContent: ca. 0,04 %Aerial parts
Iridoid glycoside; co-occurs with asperuloside; anti-inflammatory properties.
- RutinFlavonoidAerial parts
Flavonoid glycoside; stabilises capillary walls; antioxidant and venoprotective properties.
- Quercetin-DerivateFlavonoidAerial parts
Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides; antioxidant and mildly anti-inflammatory.
- Chlorogensäure (Chlorogenic acid)Phenolic acidAerial parts
Phenolic acid; antioxidant properties; detected in G. odoratum alongside neochlorogenic acid.
- Gerbstoffe (Tannine)TanninAerial parts
Hydrolysable and condensed tannins in small amounts; astringent.
- [3]MonographWoodruff, Sweet — Uses, Benefits & Dosage (Drugs.com Natural Products)(accessed: 2026-05-21)
- [4]MonographComprehensive analysis of natural products of Galium odoratum focusing on coumarin formation during drying (PubMed 40122276)(accessed: 2026-05-21)
- [5]MonographAntioxidant and burn healing potential of Galium odoratum extracts (PMC3764671)(accessed: 2026-05-21)
- [6]MonographPhenolic Content and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Galium odoratum Extracts in Murine Macrophages (PMC11672921)(accessed: 2026-05-21)
- [2]BookPlants For A Future — Galium odoratum(accessed: 2026-05-21)
- [1]WikipediaWaldmeister (Wikipedia DE)(accessed: 2026-05-21)