Woodruff (Galium odoratum (L.) Scop.)
Family: Rubiaceae,

Source: Simon, J.E., A.F. Chadwick and L.E. Craker. 1984. Herbs: An Indexed Bibliography. 1971-1980. The Scientific Literature on Selected Herbs, and Aromatic and Medicinal Plants of the Temperate Zone. Archon Books, 770 pp., Hamden, CT.

Woodruff, Galium odoratum (L.) Scop., is a perennial herb native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Formerly classified as Asperula odorata L. and sometimes commonly known as sweet woodruff, the species grows to a height of about 0.3 meters with erect and spreading stems, narrow green leaves, and white flowers that bloom in the spring.

The reported life zone of woodruff is 7 to 199Cdeg;C with an annual precipitation of 0.3 to 1.4 meters and a soil pH of 4.5 to 8.5 (4.1-31). The plant grows best under shade and in a heavy mulch of organic matter that has adequate drainage. The plant is generally found and collected in moist, wooded locations, but it can be cultivated.

The main chemical constituents of woodruff include coumarin, tannin, asperuloside, fatty oil, essential oil, and a bitter principle (14.1-35). The characteristic new-mown hay aroma present in dry leaves, but not fresh leaves, comes from coumarin in the plant.

Fresh leaves are used as flavoring agents in nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages. May wine is prepared by adding fresh springs of woodruff to Rhine wine. Dried leaves have been used in sachets, and snuffs and as a bitter principle (14.1-35). Woodruff is also employed in perfume for its fragrance and as a fixative.

As a medicinal plant, woodruff has traditionally been considered an antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, and stomachic. Folk remedies include use of woodruff against jaundice and nervousness, to heal wounds, to regulate heart activity, and to improve the taste of other medicinal formulations. Coumarins present in woodruff are known to be indirect anticoagulants (11.1-96). The essential oil of woodruff is considered a carminative and mild expectorant (11.1-136). Dried leaves are used as an insect repellent.

Woodruff is generally recognized as safe for human consumption in alcoholic beverages (21 CFR section 172.515 [1982]).

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

White Willow Bark (Salix alba)

The white willow was introduced into the United States form Europe and can be found next to rivers and streams throughout the country. The bark is the part of the willow used, and is easily removed in the spring when the sap begins to flow.

Willows have been used for centuries for pain relief and reduction of fever. The leaves can be chewed, and contain salicylic acid. This compound has been synthesized into acetylsalicylic acid, otherwise known as aspirin.

Natural salicylic acid is nearly as potent as aspirin, however, the compound salicin from willow does not cause gastric or intestinal upset or bleeding as aspirin can, This is because willow does not block prostaglandins in the stomach or intestines.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa)

Wild Yam is helpful to the liver and the endocrine system. It is also used in regulation of the female system, particularly during menopause and menstrual distress, as well as used in treating infertility. Used with chaste berry and dandelion it is an effective treatment for morning sickness.

Usually found wild in the eastern half of North America, it is a perennial plant that is a low creeper, and occupies average to poor soils and full sun.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Fast facts: loosens phlegm, an airway cleaner

Early colonial settlers didn’t have the option of running down to the corner drugstore for cough syrup or an expectorant when their kids had a cold. Instead, they stripped bark from a wild cherry tree, steeped it in hot water and offered it to their children as a hot, soothing beverage.

Today, not much has changed. Parents can run down to the corner drugstore for a bottle of cough syrup, all right. But chances are that the bottle is still going to contain wild cherry.

“Wild cherry is a flavoring agent that has a slight expectorant activity,” says James E. Robbers, Ph.D., professor of pharmacognosy in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and editor of the Journal of Natural Products. It contains benzaldehyde, a substance that loosens phlegm.

Generally, other ingredients with a more intense chemical activity are included in wild cherry cough syrups to boost the cherry’s natural abilities and to provide the actual cough suppressant, says Dr. Robbers.

Loosening Things Up: Although the bottled variety of wild cherry cough syrup is more effective than wild cherry tea, the tea can be soothing to someone who’s not feeling well.

If you’d like to make some tea, place one teaspoonful of wild cherry bark or leaves in a cup of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes and strain. Add honey, sugar or lemon to taste and enjoy. When using a tincture, follow the package directions.

Just two caveats: Do not give wild cherry tea to children under age two, and do not drink more than three cups a day. Wild cherry leaves, bark and fruit pits all contain hydrocyanic acid, which can be toxic in large amounts.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.