PDR for Herbal Medicines

744 /SWEET CICELY PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: The herb is used as a blood purifier and an

expectorant, as well as for asthma and other breathing

difficulties. Balms and salves made from it are used to treat

fresh wounds and sores and relieve the pains of gout.

The roots are used to treat chest and throat complaints and

also urinary complaints. The fresh herb is used externally for

gout swelling and indurations. Previous folk medicine uses

also included use of a decoction from the roots for snake and

dog bites.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Ground root is used to make tonics

and infusions for internal and external use. Salves are used

externally.

LITERATURE

Hegnauer R, Chemotaxonomie der Pflanzen, Bde 1-11,

Birkhiiuser Verlag Basel. Boston. Berlin 1962-1997.

Kern W, List PH. Horhammer L (Hrsg.). Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelbers, New York, 1969.

Sweet Clover

Melilotus officinalis

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the flowering herb.

Flower and Fruit: The small yellow flowers are in many-

blossomed, long-peduncled racemes. The standard and wings

are the same length, but longer than the carina. Of the 10

stamens, 9 are fused. The fruit is an obtuse, glabrous, light

brown to black, thorny-tipped, horizontally wrinkled and

usually one-seeded pod.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is perennial and 60 to 120

cm high. The smooth ascending or decumbent stems are

heavily branched. The leaves are alternate, glabrous, trifoli-

ate and long petipled. The leaflets are obovate and dentate.

The stipules are awl-like bristly.

Characteristics: The plant has a fragrance similar to

woodruff or hay.

Habitat: The plant is found all over Europe, Australia and
North America, as well as in temperate regions of Asia.

Production: Sweet Clover consists of the dried or fresh leaf

and flowering branches of Melilotus officinalis, and/or

Melilotus altissimus.

Other Names: Melilot, King's Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover,

Hay Flowers, Sweet Lucerne, Wild Laburnum, Hart's Tree

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: IN THE FRESH PLANT

Coumarinic acids glycosides: including melilotoside

COMPOUNDS: IN THE DEHYDRATED DRUG

Free coumarin (0.4-0.9%): formed from the coumarinic

acids during dehydration, furthermore 3,4-dihydrocoumarin,

melilotol, melilotin

Hydroxycoumarins: including among others umbelliferone,

scopoletin, herniarin. fraxidin

Flavonoids: including, among others, kampferol- and quer-

cetin glycosides

Triterpene saponins: including azuki saponin-V-carboxylate,

azuki saponin II, aglycones soya sapogenols B and E,

melilotigenin

Volatile oil: traces of very complex composition

COMPOUNDS: IN THE SEEDS

Canavanin

Trigonelline

EFFECTS

The drug has an antiphlogistic, antiexudative and anti-

edematous effect, which explain its use for inflammatory and

congestive edema. It increases venous reflux and improves

lymphatic kinetics.

Animal experiments showed an increase in healing wounds.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Blunt injuries


• Hemorrhoids


• Venous conditions

The drug is used internally for problems arising from "chronic

venous insufficiency, such as pain and heaviness in legs,

night cramps in die legs, itching and swelling; for the

supportive treatment of thrombophlebitis, postthrombotic

syndromes, hemorrhoids and lymphatic congestion. Exter-

nally, the drug is used for contusions, sprains and superficial

effusions of blood.

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, Sweet Clover is used as a

diuretic.