Galium verum – cut yellow bedstraw

Yellow bedstraw is recognizable by its clusters of small golden flowers and its characteristic honeyed fragrance. It grows wild in meadows and along roadsides. Handpicked and then dried, it retains its aromatic properties and natural components, making it ideal for versatile use in homemade preparations.

Description

Dried plant cut into small green and yellow fragments, fine and light texture. Pleasant, slightly honeyed and herbaceous odor.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Yellow bedstraw, bedstraw, yellow bedstraw, lily of the valley
• Latin name: Galium verum
• Family: Rubiaceae
• Part used: Aerial part (stem, leaves, flowers)
• Form: Cut, dried
• Origin: Europe, Western Asia
• English name: Lady's bedstraw
• Name in German: Echtes Labkraut
• Name in Spanish: Cuajaleche amarillo
• Name in Italian: Caglio giallo
• Name in Arabic: عشبة اللبن (ʿUshbat al-Laban)

Main virtues

Traditionally used for its gentle purifying properties, bedstraw is also known for its softening cosmetic uses. Its colorful flowers are sometimes used in the creation of artisanal natural products. It is also enjoyed as a light infusion to accompany a daily wellness routine.

Main constituents

Iridoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, natural yellow pigments (luteolin), coumarins.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1 to 2 tablespoons for 250 ml of water, infuse for 5 to 10 minutes, filter.
• External care: decoction in facial steam bath or skin compress.
• Vegetable dye: flowers used as a soft yellow pigment.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• No known side effects at traditional doses.
• Not recommended for people allergic to Rubiaceae.
• Prolonged or concentrated use should be avoided without specialist advice.

History and origin

Used since ancient times to curdle milk (hence its name), bedstraw has always been valued for its digestive properties and domestic uses. It was also widely used in medieval preparations for its so-called "purifying" effects and to perfume bedding (hence its English name "lady's bedstraw").

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: away from humidity, in an opaque, airtight container.
• Packaging: kraft bag, tinted jar or metal box.
• Appearance: light, dry green and yellow fragments.
• Smell: floral, sweet, honeyed.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Traditional European Herbalism
• Folk botanical corpus
• Medieval ethnobotanical references

🔎 Information

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