Meliloto in Herbalist: Properties of the Melilotus

Scientific name

Melilotus officinalis

Family

Leguminosae

Origin

Europe

Used Parts

Drug consisting of flowering tops

Chemical constituents

cumarine;
glycosides;
Flavonoids;
Tannins;
Triterpene saponins.

Meliloto in Herbalist: Properties of the Melilotus

The melilot has an anti-inflammatory and anti-edema, diuretic and phlebotonic, slightly sedative pharmacological activity.

For these reasons, the melilot is used in cases of venous and lymphatic insufficiency, postphlebitic disorders, water retention, visceral anxiety somatizations and insomnia.

However, there are no references on studies conducted to evaluate their sedative efficacy, just as there are no data on the use of melilot in reducing hot flashes in menopause.

Biological activity

As mentioned, the sweet clover is a plant with interesting pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-edema and anti-exudative properties.

Furthermore, the melilot is also able to increase venous reflux and improve lymphatic kinetics.

Thanks to these properties, this plant can be a valid aid in case of venous and lymphatic insufficiency, in case of water retention and in case of inflammatory and congestive edema.

These activities ascribed to the sweet clover are mainly attributable to the coumarins contained within the same plant.

Finally, from a study conducted on animals, it emerged that the sweet clover is also endowed with cicatrising activity, therefore it is able to accelerate the healing of wounds.

Melilot against venous and lymphatic insufficiency

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-edema properties and thanks to its ability to increase venous reflux and to improve the lymphatic kinetics conferred on it by the coumarins it contains, the use of the sweet clover has obtained official approval for the treatment of lymphatic insufficiency, chronic venous insufficiency and associated disorders, such as swelling, feeling of heavy legs, pain and night cramps in the legs.

Similarly, again by virtue of the aforementioned properties, the sweet clover is useful in supportive therapy for disorders such as: hemorrhoids, post-thrombotic syndrome, thrombophlebitis and lymphatic congestion.

For the treatment of the aforementioned disorders, generally, the melilot is taken internally.

Usually, it is recommended to take a quantity of drug corresponding to about 3-30 mg of coumarins per day.

Melilotus in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine, the sweet clover is used above all as a diuretic and digestive remedy, to be taken in the form of an infusion but not only. In fact, the sweet clover is exploited by traditional medicine also for the treatment of headache and is even used as a sedative remedy and to promote sleep.

The sweet clover is also used in homeopathic medicine, where it can be found in the form of granules, capsules, oral drops and mother tincture.

In this context the plant is used in case of hemorrhoids, hot flashes associated with menopause, cycle headaches, excessively abundant menstrual cycles and epistaxis.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken can vary greatly from one patient to another, also depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated and according to the type of preparation and homeopathic dilution that is intended to be used.

Side effects

If properly used, the sweet clover should not cause any kind of unwanted effects.

On the other hand, after ingestion of too high doses of melilot or its preparations, symptoms can occur such as: headache, weakness, nausea, vomiting and stupor.

Furthermore, in sensitive individuals, following the use of the melilot or its preparations, an increase in blood levels of liver enzymes may occur. However, by suspending the use of the plant or its preparations, the amount of liver enzymes in the bloodstream should return to normal values.

Contraindications

Avoid taking in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components.

Warnings

Beware of possible side effects of coumarins, such as gastric irritation, nausea and hepato-toxicity. Caution is required for all uses with extracts obtained from dried melilot or untitrated in coumarins.