June 4, 2002

YELLOW CLOVER

Latin Name: Melilotus officinalis

Alternate Names: Sweet Clover, King's Clover, Meliot, Hay Flower, White Clover

Family: FABACEAE

Parts Used: Above ground portion.

Properties: Anticoagulant, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antithrombotic, Aromatic, Carminative, Diuretic, Emollient, Expectorant, Sedative, Vascular Tonic, Vulnerary.

Internal Uses: Anxiety, Blood Clots, Boils, Bronchitis, Flatulence, Headache, Indigestion, Insomnia, Phlebitis, Rheumatism, Varicose Veins

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

When the plant is fermented it produces dicoumarol, a strong anticoagulant. This was discovered when cattle bled to death after eating wet bales of Yellow Clover, helping lead to the discovery of the drug coumadin. It reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and reduces clotting. Clover is also used as a mild sedative.

Topical Uses: Eye Soreness, Insect Repellent, Mastitis, Muscle Soreness, Wounds

Topical Applications: Use as a bath herb for soothing dry skin. Make a salve or poultice for wounds, mastitis and sore muscles. Use as an eyewash for sore eyes. Use sachets to repel moths from clothing. Used to flavor tobaccos. Once used as a strewing herb. Dried leaves and flowers have been used to stuff pillows.

Culinary uses: Leaves and seeds of Melilotus caerula are used to flavor French Gruyère cheese and Swiss Schabzieger cheese, as well as marinades, stuffings and Polish vodka. Both Yellow and White Clover are excellent plants for honey bees.

Energetics: Sweet, Cool.

Chemical Constituents: Coumarin derivatives, glycoside (meliotoside), dicoumarol, flavonoids, melilotic acid.

Contraindications: Large doses may cause vomiting. Avoid using if on anticoagulant medicines.

Comments: The genus name, Melilotus, is Latin for 'honey lotus'.

The species Melilotus officinalis was formerly named Melilotus arvensis. Yellow Clover (Melilotus officinalis) is used interchangeably with White Clover (Melilotus alba).

-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), June 04, 2002

Answers

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-- Phil in KS (mac0328@planetkc.com), June 04, 2002.