Melilotus officinalis Melilot (Leguminosae)

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Melilotus officinalis
Melilot
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The Melilotus officinalis plant species is found in Europe to E. Asia. Naturalized in Britain. It is a member of the Leguminosae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Melilot. Some home gardeners know the variety as M. arvensis.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Melilotus officinalis
Common Name:  Melilot
Family:  Leguminosae
Author:  (L.)Pall.

Known Hazards:  The dried leaves can be toxic. though the fresh leaves are quite safe to use. This is possibly due to the presence of coumarin, the substance that gives some dried plants the smell of new mown hay, if taken internally it can prevent the blood clotting.

Mature Height:  1.2   Mature Width:  0.7

Habitat:  Grassy fields and roadsides, avoiding acid soils[17].

Medicinal Information: Melilot, used either externally or internally, can help treat varicose veins and haemorrhoids though it requires a long-term treatment for the effect to be realised[254]. Use of the plant also helps to reduce the risk of phlebitis and thrombosis[254]. Melilot contains coumarins and, as the plant dries or spoils, these become converted to dicoumarol, a powerful anticoagulant[254]. Thus the plant should be used with some caution, it should not be prescribed to patients with a history of poor blood clotting or who are taking warfarin medication[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity[21]. The flowering plant is antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, emollient, mildly expectorant, mildly sedative and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 13, 21, 238, 240]. An infusion is used in the treatment of sleeplessness, nervous tension, neuralgia, palpitations, varicose veins, painful congestive menstruation, in the prevention of thrombosis, flatulence and intestinal disorders[7, 238]. Externally, it is used to treat eye inflammations, rheumatic pains, swollen joints, severe bruising, boils and erysipelas, whilst a decoction is added to the bathwater[9, 238]. The flowering plant is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use[7]. A distilled water obtained from the flowering tops is an effective treatment for conjunctivitis[7].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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