Lady's Bedstraw

(Galium verum L., Rubiaceae)

Also Called: Yellow Bedstraw, Maid's Hair, Cheese Rennet.

Description: Perennial plant, 20 80cm (8-32in) high with erect, somewhat branched, almost square stems.
Leaves in whorls of 8-12 on the stem, linear, very narrow, 15-25mm (0.6-1 in) long and 1-2mm (0.03-0.07in) broad, generally recurved; upper surface with fine hairs, lower surface hairy.
Flowers 2-3mm (0.07-0.1 in) broad, golden-yellow, arranged in a handsome inflorescence at the apices of the branches. (Other species of Galium have larger leaves and the flowers are generally white.)
Flowering: May-September.

Part Used: Dried flowering plant.

Habitat and Collection: In grassland, preferring dry places, common throughout Europe; abundant in Britain. The plant is collected when in flower and is dried either in the shade or in sunlight.

Constituents and Action: Lady's bedstraw contains a large amount of silicic acid; the presence of a saponin is not proved. It is mildly diuretic.
Other species of Galium, especially G. aparine L. (Goosegrass, Cleavers, Hairif), have a similar action.
The property of coagulating milk when boiled (hence the name Cheese Rennet) is due to the high acid content of the plant; it occurs only when using concentrated decoctions.

Usage: Mainly as an infusion (1 litre (1 75pt) of cold water on 1 2 tablespoonfuls of chopped drug, boil for 3-5 minutes and allow to stand) as a diuretic for dropsy and complaints of the bladder and kidneys.
Externally the infusion is used as an application to wounds and to cutaneous eruptions (action doubtful).