Yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis Fabaceae)

Other Names: Yellow Cockatoo, Horse Clover, Honeysuckle, Yellow Melilot, Common Melilot

Yellow sweet clover grows on dry calcareous terrains, uncultivated fields, and embankments. This annual or biennial plant, reaching 30–90 cm, has grooved erect stems with trifoliate leaves featuring serrated edges. In summer, small, fragrant yellow flowers form elongated inflorescences, bearing tiny, yellowish-brown oval fruits.

Parts for Use

Stems, Leaves, and Flowers

1. Harvested in July and dried.
2. Used for infusions, decoctions, powders, dry extracts, and tinctures.
3. Often combined with herbs like witch hazel, horse chestnut, and blueberry to strengthen blood vessels.

Ingredients

Contains melilotoside, which converts to coumarin, giving the plant its characteristic scent. Flavonoids provide diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects. If infected with fungus, it produces dicoumarol, an anticoagulant.

Use in Treatment

Yellow sweet clover strengthens blood vessels due to melilotoside, aiding circulation, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, numb legs, and fluid retention. A 1999 clinical study showed it reduced arm swelling in breast cancer patients post-surgery. Its flavonoids act as diuretics and help indigestion, while anti-inflammatory properties, confirmed in animal studies, treat rheumatism, sprains, bruises, and eyelid irritation. Dicoumarol may help thrombosis but should not replace or be combined with prescribed anticoagulants.

Cultivation

Grow from seeds sown in fall or spring in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny location.

Preparation and Dosage

For Internal Use (Hemorrhoids, Varicose Veins, Numb Legs, Fluid Retention, Indigestion)

1. Infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried flowers in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes, strain, drink 3–4 cups daily.
2. Capsules (50 mg powder): Take 1–2 capsules 3 times daily with meals.
3. Tincture: Add 35 drops to a glass of water, take 3 times daily during meals.

For External Use (Sprains, Bruises, Eyelid Irritation, Bleeding)

1. Compress: Boil 20 g dried flowers in 100 ml water for 15 minutes. For sprains or bruises, soak a cloth in warm liquid and apply 2–3 times daily. For eyelid irritation or bleeding, cool the liquid first before applying.

Warnings

1. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
2. Use in small amounts, as excessive coumarin may cause liver damage.
3. Avoid if you have blood clotting issues or are taking anticoagulants.