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Adam Funk[_3_] · 20-07-2011, 12:27 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 2011-07-19, Mike Lyle wrote:

On Sun, 17 Jul 2011 09:12:57 +0100 (BST), wrote:

In article ,
Adam Funk wrote:
On 2011-07-14, Mike Lyle wrote:
On Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:20:26 +0100, Sacha wrote:

It is indeed a strewing herb, used to keep away fleas and lice in
mediaeval times. We have it growing wild in all sorts of parts of the
garden, so Ray often digs up littleb its for people who want it! It's
also very pretty!

In Germany you can get wine flavoured with it: "Maiwein". IIRC, very
pleasant...uh-oh! Wp reveals that it's been made illegal, because
slightly toxic; so any commercial kind will have artificial
flavouring.

ISTR they add woodruff syrup to glasses of sour beers too.

I have added it to apple juice, which improves that no end. It
has the taste of fresh hay. The toxin is only coumarin, and in
fairly low quantities, so only people on anticoagulants (and
probably with haemophilia) need be concerned.

Coumarin: is that the Zubrowka vodka and Tonkin bean stuff?
...Wkp...Yes, I find it is. Found also, among other plants and to my
surprise, in mulleins. You're not alone in associating it with apple
juice: Zubrowka and apple juice, known as a "Frisky bison", is a
standard way of administering the self-medication.

ISTR you can't get Zubrowka in the USA because the FDA bans coumarin,
but according to Wikipedia sweet woodruff is allowed in alcoholic
beverages (but not in food).

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._and_cosmetics