Yellow Sweet Clover - Melilotus officinalis

Melilotus officinalis with a common name of yellow sweet clover or yellow melilot is an herb in the Fabaceae (legume) family. It is native to Europe and Asia and has been naturalized in North America, Africa, and Australia. It is one of the most drought-tolerant legumes, and it's used as pasture or livestock fodder. It contains coumarins, melilotin, phenolic acids, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, volatile oils, fats, triterpenes, carbohydrates, sugar, anthraquinone glycosides, mucilage, tannin, bishydroxycoumarin, choline, alcohols, uric acid and more. It has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, sedative, anxiolytic, smooth muscle relaxant, hypotensive and other pharmacological effects.

In traditional medicine, the flower, stem, branches and leaves are all used. Sweet clover extracts are commonly taken by mouth as a tea, infusion, capsule, or drops, as a diuretic. It's also used to relieve symptoms of poor blood circulation, including leg pain and heaviness, varicose vein, nerve pain, and fluid retention or edema. A poultice can be made to use topically on the skin for bruises. It has even shown promise in the treatment of endometriosis, although more studies are needed. There are numerous studies available on Google Scholar.

Sweet clover is safe for most people when used in moderation. If it is harvested when dry and the drying is completed promptly, it does not cause problems. It is only in wet, moldy clover that the coumarin is converted to dicoumarol, which is an anticoagulant. I take great care to harvest and dry it correctly.

Suggested dose: Tincture 15-30 drop 2-3x a day.

Possible side effects: Allergy, rash, gastrointestinal upset.

Contraindications: Blood thinners, anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs. Drugs that are hard on the liver, such as acetaminophen.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any illness.