The sweet clover plant is, along with the cornflower and the common plantain, one of the plants known since ancient times as ‘glass breakers’ or ‘glass removers’ because of its beneficial action on the eyes. Recently the sweet clover has been proven to be an excellent stimulator of blood circulation, and this is its most important present use.
Healing Properties
This plant contains a glycoside, melilotoside, which turns into coumarin as the plant dries. The sweet clover contains flavonoids, vitamin C, mucilages, and choline. These substances give the plant the following properties.
- Venotonic and capillary protecting: It is beneficial for varicose veins, edema, tired legs, and hemorrhoids. Due to its anticoagulant, blood thinning, and circulation activating properties, the sweet clover is recommended for phlebitis and to prevent arterial and venous thrombosis. Its mildly diuretic effect promotes all these uses.
- Antispasmodic: Very useful in intestinal colics and gastric or intestinal spasms. It also helps combat insomnia.
- Emollient: It is externally applied in eye irrigation for conjunctivitis and renders incredible results.
Sweet Clover Scientific Facts
- Scientific Name: Melilotus officinalis L.
- Other Names: Yellow sweet clover, king’s clover, hay flowers, yellow melilot, melilot trefoil.
- French: Mélilot.
- Spanish: Meliloto, trébol de olor.
- Environment: Common in limy soils and roadsides all over Europe. Naturalized in some warm areas of America, such as the South of the United States and Argentina.
- Description: Plant of the Leguminosae family, with a pleasant aroma, growing from 60 to 120 cm high, with leaves divided into three leaflets and bright yellow flowers.
- Parts of the plant used medicinally: The flower clusters.
How to use Sweet Clover
- Infusion with 50 grams of plant per liter of water, drinking three or four cups daily.
- Eye baths, employ a more concentrated infusion than internal use, with around 200 grams per liter of water.
REFERENCES
George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 258. Print.
