Sweet clover
Sweet Clover (Melilotus officinalis): Clover-like, three-parted, ovate leaflets grow on an erect, branched, angular stem with serrated edges.
The yellow, honey-scented butterfly flowers hang in long, stalked clusters and all face one side. The height of the plant varies from 50 to 150 cm.
Sweet clover
Image source: S. Geiberger
Family and collection time
The sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) and the white sweet clover (Malilotus albus) belong to the butterfly family.
White sweet clover can be used as well as sweet clover.
Parts of the plant used: Flowers
Collection time in detail:
- Flowers: June to September
Healing effect and application
Healing effect:
Decongestant, anti-inflammatory, blood thinning.
Application in naturopathy:
Diseases of the veins, hemorrhoids, varicose veins. When the herb dries, it produces a scent reminiscent of woodruff.
Ingredients: (selection)
- Coumarin
- Saponins
- Tannins
- Flavonoids
- Essential oils in the flowers
In the kitchen:
The flowers are suitable for flavoring tea, lemonades and desserts.
In the home:
Put linen bags filled with dried sweet clover in the linen closet drives away musty smells and moths.
References:
Beiser, Rudi: Our edible wild plants. Kosmos Nature Guide 2018
Bühring, Ursel: Praxis-Lehrbuch der modernen Heilpflanzenkunde; Grundlagen – Anwendung – Therapie. Sonntag Publishing House Stuttgart 2005
Pahlow, M. Pharmacist: Medicinal Plants. Bechtermünz Publishing House Augsburg 2001
Schneider, Christine: Finding wild herbs. Ulmer Publishing House Stuttgart 2017
Recipe by Dr. Markus Strauß www.dr-strauss.net
