Black Medick - Medicago lupulina

Black medick, Medicago lupulina, is also commonly known as nonesuch, trefoil, or hop clover. is my latest harvest from a local field. It's an unspoiled habitat where a local apiary places honeybee hives and the field has never been contaminated as far as anyone can remember. It's on high ground and the ground water wells up from springs. It is native to Asia but has spread throughout North America and grows in sunny, disturbed, alkaline, nitrogen-poor soil where it acts as a good nitrogen fixer. It may be annual, or perennial, depending on your microclimate. It is edible raw or cooked as a pot herb but is somewhat bitter. In herbalism it is traditionally used as an antibacterial and styptic wound dressing. Studies have shown that the phytochemicals in it are active against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as some fungal infections. It is used as a very mild laxative due to its high fiber content and mildly stimulating properties. It has been used to treat respiratory infections due its expectorant, anti-spasmodic, and antiseptic actions. It contains mucilage, which is used to loosen phlegm. It is thought that the anti-spasmodic qualities help with asthma and respiratory tightness. The styptic use indicates a tendency to encourage blood clotting. Do not use it if you are a cardiac patient and/or are taking blood thinners. It is a legume and is closely related to alfalfa so those who are allergic may wish to avoid black medick. Black Medick contains the amino acid L-Canavanine, which can aggravate lupus and other autoimmune disorders. Finally, not everyone spells it the same. It is called black medick, medic, or medick depending on where you are, and local traditions.