We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Treatments

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Medical Uses of Melilotus Officinalis?

By Britt Archer
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 11,488
Share

Melilotus officinalis, also known as yellow sweet clover and sweet clover, is an herb that led to the creation of the drug warfarin, used today as an anticoagulant. In herbal medicine it has been used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, lymphatic drainage of congestion, thrombophlebitis and varicose veins, and it also is said to improve blood circulation. The herb also has been used as a laxative and diuretic. Asthmatics have smoked it and it has been used as a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism, wounds and inflammation. As a tea, melilotus officinalis has been used to ease muscle aches, headaches and gastrointestinal problems.

The herb has a number of different names, including field millet, ribbed millet, melilot trefoils, yellow melilot, ribbed melilot and common melilot. In Tudor times in England, the herb was referred to as King’s clover because Henry VIII was known to make use of the herb. Farmers of the day disliked the clover because it became invasive in their pastures and harmed some of their crops. In modern times melilotus officinalis has been planted to avert erosion and increase the amount of nitrogen in soil. Honeybees are fond of melilotus officinalis and it is sometimes planted in pastures for them.

The herb can have side effects, and these include bruising or bleeding, yellowed skin or eyes, mood changes, headache, stomach pain and darkened urine. People with liver disease should check with their doctors before using this herb, and diabetics also should take precautions. Melilotus officinalis should not be used by pregnant women, and a doctor should be consulted when breastfeeding. A blood-thinning compound found in the herb led to its use in mouse and rat poison.

Some birds like melilotus officinalis as a food source and as cover, including numerous kinds of quail, the ring-necked pheasant, the gray partridge and the greater prairie chicken. Small mammals also use the plant for cover and as food. Butterflies, like bees, also are drawn to this plant. Deer, elk and antelope enjoy eating the stems and leaves.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-the-medical-uses-of-melilotus-officinalis.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.