Sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), is native to Europe, North America and Asia. The medicinal plant is mainly used for venous diseases, liver disorders, stomach problems, headaches, diseases of the central nervous system and lymphatic congestion.
Occurrence and cultivation of sweet clover
Flowers and leaves exude a honey-like, sweet fragrance. Sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) or honey clover is a biennial plant with a powerful taproot that grows up to one meter tall. The branched stem bears long-stalked, three-toothed, oblong-shaped leaves with sharply serrated margins, some of which are covered with fine hairs on the underside. The small, yellow flowers sit upright in loose, long racemes at the tips of the stems. Sweet clover blooms between June and September. The closed legumes contain one to two seeds. Flowers and leaves emit a honey-like, sweet fragrance that resembles the smell of woodruff when dried. Sweet clover tastes bitter, somewhat pungent, and salty. The herb is native to Europe, North America and Asia. In the wild, it grows mainly on calcareous soils along paths, slopes, quarries, and rubble piles. In cultivated form, it is grown as forage and bee pasture. Sweet clover contains coumarin, melilotic acid, melilotol, resin, flavonoids, saponins, tannin and essential oil. The above-ground parts of the plant, leaves as well as flowering shoots, which are collected between June and September, are used medicinally. These are processed fresh and dried.
Effect and application
Sweet clover can be used internally and externally. Internally, it relieves discomfort that accompanies chronic diseases of the venous vascular system, such as cramps in the calves, swelling, redness, pain, heaviness in the extremities or circulatory disorders, helps with liver disorders and stomach problems. Sweet clover can also be administered as a supportive measure in the treatment of acute thrombosis and associated phlebitis (thrombophlebitis), as well as varicose veins and post-thrombotic syndrome (secondary damage after venous thrombosis). Due to its high content of coumarin, coumarin derivatives and tannin, sweet clover has a tonic (strengthening) and sealing effect on the vein walls. It is therefore also used for lymphatic congestion and acute hemorrhoid attacks. In this context, the property of coumarin to have an anticoagulant effect is utilized. Melilotol also reduces inflammatory activity. Naturopathy values sweet clover for its diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative and sleep-inducing effects. Its use as a gentle diuretic (flushing water and toxins dissolved in it out of the body) is due to its flavonoids. These have edema-protective, vasoprotective, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. In homeopathy, sweet clover is also used internally for headaches, diseases of the central nervous system and coagulation disorders. The correct dosage is of crucial importance, especially when used internally: excessive use can cause dizziness and vomiting, as well as typical symptoms of poisoning. In excessive doses, coumarin has a liver-toxic and carcinogenic effect. Overdose is avoided by ready-to-use preparations such as capsules or tablets. Externally, flowers and herb are used for emollient, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and disintegrating poultices for joint and glandular swellings, boils, ulcers and wounds. For emollient poultices and washes, make an infusion of 1 tablespoon of the crushed drug and ½ liter of water. By means of compresses with sweet clover can be achieved specific promotion of the formation of pus bi abscesses. Similar effects are achieved by ointments, plasters, poultices and herbal pillows made from sweet clover, which are also recommended for pain caused by rheumatism. Sweet clover has also proven effective in the treatment of bruises, sprains and superficial bruises.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Due to its combination of active ingredients, sweet clover has a wide range of applications. With correct dosage, sustainable results are effectively achieved in a gentle manner. Venous disorders are among the most common diseases of modern industrialized countries. In Germany, every second to third person between the ages of 18 and 79 is affected by some form of venous disease. Women are at risk to a significantly greater extent than men.Spider veins, reticular veins, varicose veins, edema and venous leg ulcers are symptoms of a disturbed venous system, which can result in serious secondary diseases and pain. Many factors favor the development of venous disorders. A genetic disposition, obesity, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, pregnancy, frequent prolonged standing and increasing age increase the risk. In most cases, vasodilatation is the cause. The venous valve no longer closes properly, blood flows back, the pressure in the vessels increases, and they permanently dilate. Superficial vessels become visible externally as varicose veins, for example. Sweet clover has a regulating effect on the vascular system. Due to the combination of coumarin forms, flavonoids and tannin, the vessels are strengthened and contracted, blood clotting is prevented. Melilotol also reduces or limits the risk of inflammation. Sweet clover provides a complex of active ingredients that can be used in a targeted therapy against venous disorders. As a preventive measure, sweet clover can only be administered to a limited extent. In order to prevent the development of vein diseases, attention should be paid to a healthy, wholesome diet, sufficient exercise in fresh air and adequate restful sleep. Alcohol, nicotine and excessive consumption of caffeine as well as overweight should be avoided. Cold water showers according to Kneipp strengthen the venous system and stimulate blood circulation. In general, a natural preparation in correct dosage is more easily accepted by the body and metabolized with fewer side effects. The overall constitution is crucial for the success of the therapy. Sweet clover, in combination with an appropriate lifestyle, can lead to lasting healing results.
