Lady’s Bedstraw
|
Botanical Name |
Galium verum |
|
Family |
Rubiaceae |
|
Other Names |
Cheese rennet, maiden’s hair, wild rosemary, yellow bedstraw |
|
Habitat |
Meadows, hedges, footpaths, roadsides |
|
Description |
Perennial spreading up to 40cm/16in Four angled slender stem Leaves: whorls of 8-12, downy underneath revolute margins. Flowers small numerous yellow and white which smell of honey June –September |
|
Native to |
Britain, Europe, North America |
|
Parts Used |
Herb |
|
Actions |
Alterative, diuretic, insecticide, nervine, sedative, tonic |
|
Constituents |
Glycosides, tannins, aucubin, flavonoids Iridoids –asperuloside, galioside Flavonoid glycosides –quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin 7 glucoside, quercitin 3 rutinoside, luteolin 7 glucosides |
|
Nervous system |
Nervousness |
|
Other Uses |
Insect repellent, curdling milk |
|
Other Notes |
It was once used to stuff mattresses with hence the name Used as a rennet in cheese |