Woodruff
Aspera odorata

Appearance: 10 to 30 cm tall. Stems are smooth; leaves grow in whorls of 6 to 8 and are lanceolate or spatulate, quite broad, pointy; the white flowers grow in flat clusters on long stems, not so many flowers; the fruit have hookshaped bristles, the plant smells nice.

Landscape: shadowy spots with a fertile soil.

Flowering time: Mai and June

Care: Woodruff needs lots of shadow and a fertile soil but no special care.

Use: make tea (25 gr on a liter water)of the tops and flowers, when cooled down it is a delicious summer-evening drink. Because of th lovely scent, she combines well with other herbs in teas (to cover bitter taste and smell). She pulverizes stones in the bladder and carries them off. She works against kidney and bladder troubles as well as skin diseases. A tea stops internal bleeding. It helps against epilepsy and has a relaxing effect. A decoction makes a great, relaxing foot-bath.Woodruff is a nice addition to any potpourri. It can also help with emotional problems (sadness, depression).

Special: Woodruff was also used as bedstraw, because of the nice, relaxing scent, as well as the fact that it puts of fleas.