Many people are reluctant to collect herbs and medicinal plants in the wild because they are afraid of confusion. Due to its characteristic appearance, the woodruff usually does not pose a major danger.
How do I recognize woodruff in nature?
Woodruff can be recognized by its thin, square stems, lance-shaped whorled leaves, small cross-shaped white flowers and its characteristic smell, which intensifies as it withers.
The growth habit and flowering of the woodruff
The plant Galium odoratum, also known as Mayweed, not only has a very special aroma, but also a visually quite attractive appearance. The plant, which grows to a maximum height of around 30 centimeters, often forms extensive carpets in sparse forests as it reproduces by self-sowing its seeds and via its network of roots. This also makes this medicinal herb a popular ground cover for particularly shady places in the garden. On the thin, square stems of the woodruff, the lance-shaped, narrow leaves are arranged in a whorl shape in a circle on different levels. During the flowering period from around mid-April to mid-May, you can recognize the woodruff even more easily by its many white flowers, which are shaped like small crosses.
Smell and taste of the woodruff
The typical smell and taste of woodruff was or is traditionally used for the following products, for example:
- Maibowle
-
Waldmeister lemonade
- green bobblehead
- Waldmeisterbrause
- Berliner Weisse
It can also be noticed on the fresh stems, but the smell becomes more intense after a short drying phase of one to two days. If you are not entirely sure about a plant population in the forest, you can first let a few stems wither and then, if necessary, collect larger quantities from the location in question.
Healing effects and poison potential of woodruff
Woodruff has been mentioned as a medicinal plant since the Middle Ages, which is mainly due to the coumarin contained in its stems and leaves. Eating certain amounts of woodruff is said not only to combat headaches, but also to aid digestion and relieve cramps. However, its use in children's confectionery and soft drinks has been banned in Germany for several decades, as regular consumption in large quantities is said to lead to permanent liver damage. In the short term, an overdose may also cause headaches, malaise and vomiting.
Tips & Tricks
To avoid an overdose of the coumarin, which breaks down during drying, you should only pour over the woodruff when making May punch and not soak it.