Melilot
Botanical Description & Habitat
Melilotus officinalis
Gramini flos
Family
Leguminosae
Poaceae spp.
Common names
Hart's tree
Hay flower
King's clover
Melilot
Ribbed melilot
Sweet clover
Sweet lucerne
Yellow Sweet clover
Wild Laburnum
Habitat
Found all over North America, Europe, Australia and temperate regions of Asia. It grows in stony, waste places, generally along river banks and in cultivated ground.
Description
A tall plant which grows up to three feet in height. It is highly branched with elongated and elliptical stalked leaves. The leaves are a rich green color with lightly toothed margins. Small, yellow flowers.
The fruit is a brown-black one-seeded pod.
Has a fragrance of hay.
Medicinal parts
Inflorescence, fruits and above ground parts; gathered in May while flowering and dried.
Historical Properties & Uses
Melilot has long been included in the official pharmacopoeias of many countries. In clinical settings, it is used regularly as an emollient, antispasmodic, diuretic, and antithrombotic. Chief among its applications is as a treatment for eye inflammations; its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties are also used to improve bronchial disorders.
Anti-inflammatory properties, including varicose veins. In folk medicine it was also used as a diuretic.
The antithrombotic factor in melilot is similar to other clovers, and a highly concentrated melilot preparation is recommended by naturopathic physicians to reduce chances of thrombosis. Melilot is also employed as a salve for minor skin problems, such as bites and boils, and as a wash for open wounds. Most holistic practitioners recommend caution when using melilot internally; symptoms of poisoning have been observed with high doses.
Research has demonstrated powerful antibiotic principles in melilot. This natural boost to the body's immune system could explain some of its observed clinical effects. So far, controlled, double-blind studies have not been reported on melilot.
Sweet Clover is an approved herb by the German Commission E for internal and external uses.
It is used internally for venous insufficiency e.g. night cramps, restless legs and supportively for thrombosis.
Externally it is applied on bruises and superficial bleeding.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Gruenwald, J, Brendler, T & Jaenicke, C (Eds.): PDR for Herbal Medicines. Medical Economics, NJ. 1998.
Method of Action
Melilot has effective antibacterial properties
Melilot is one of the most powerful antibacterials among the higher plants. This activity probably depends on the particular dicumarol configuration of this plant, since the dicumarols in other clovers do not exhibit such strong activity. Among the organisms inhibited by the herb are Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogens and viridans. Melilot is effective in concentrations as low as 1:100,000.
It contains coumarin compounds.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
There are no known drug interactions.
Since melilot increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, the herb may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of glucose-elevating agents.
Diuretics in general may potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and, to a lesser degree, norepinephrine. In conjunction with corticotropin (ACTH) or corticosteroids, this diuretic herb is more prone to produce hypokalemia.
Possible Interactions
The use of diuretics such as melilot may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs. The diuretic action of the herb may also reduce renal clearance of lithium.
Vitamin K, menadione and menadiol sodium diphosphate may antagonize the anticoagulant effects of coumarins such as melilot. Conversely, allopurinol has been tentatively shown to increase the half-life of anticoagulants. The antiarrhythmic agent quinidine may increase the hypoprothrombinemic effect of the herb.
Comments
Although the coumarin content of melilot is low at normal usage levels, it is important to note coumarins can affect the action of almost any drug.
Prolonged use of this diuretic herb may affect certain laboratory test results such as electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, glucose, and protein bound iodine (PBI).
Safety Factors & Toxicity
It is uncertain whether the coumarins in melilot pose a threat at normal usage levels. No toxicity data on the herb is available, but most naturopaths agree high doses of melilot can be toxic.
Allergic skin reactions are possible.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried leaf and flowering top
0.5-1 grams
Tea
made from 1 tsp dried herb
Tincture
1:5 in 45% alcohol, 1/2-1 ml
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E.
Recommended daily dosages in Germany are as follows:
3 - 30 mg coumarin.
1 - 2 compresses
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Blacow, N.W. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia. The Pharmaceutical Press: London, England, 1973
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Chambers, G., R.J. Kerry & G. Owen. 1977. Lithium used with a diuretic. British Medical Journal, 2. pp. 805-806.
Chiles, V.K. 1968. Drug interactions and the pharmacist. Canadian Pharaceutical Journal, 101(7). pp. 241-247.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l881.
De Martinis, M., et.al. Milk thistle (silybum marianum) derivatives in the therapy of chronic hepatopathies. Clin. Ter., 94(3). pp. 283-315.
Drug package insert (FDA approved official brochure) and other labeling based on sponsored clinical investigations and New Drug Application data.
Goldner, M., H. Zarowitz & S. Akgun. 1960. Hyperglycemia and glycosuria due to thiazide derivatives administered in diabetes mellitus. NEJM, 262(Feb 2). pp. 403-405.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. Macmillan, NY.
Gruenwald, J, Brendler, T & Jaenicke, C (Eds.): PDR for Herbal Medicines. Medical Economics, NJ. 1998.
Hansten, P.D. 1968. Antidiabetic drug interactions. Hospital Form. Management, 4(2). pp. 30-32.
Hansten, P. 1975. Personal observations of patients. Drug Interactions, 3rd ed. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia. pp. 25, 213.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hurtig, H.I. & W.L. Dyson. 1974. Lithium toxicity enhanced by diuresis. New England J of Med, 290(Mar 28). pp. 748-749.
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis).
Koch-Weser, J. 1968. Quinidine-induced hypoprothrombinemic hemorrhage in patients on chronic warfarin therapy. Annals of Internal Medicine, 68(3). pp. 511-517.
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
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Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Miller, R.D., et.al. 1976. Enhancement of d-tubocurarine neuromuscular blockage by diuretics in man. Anesth, 45. p.442.
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Moore, M. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, Nm. l984
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996:21,45,63,282.
Orzechowski, G. Pflanzliche polysaccharide zur steigerung der koerpereignenen abwehr. Die Medizinische Welt, 9 Feb 1963, 6.
Thorn, G.W. 1966. Clin considerations in the use of corticosteroids. New England J of Medicine, 274(Apr 7). pp. 775-781.
Tuttle, C.B. 1969. Drug interactions. Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 22(5-6). pp. 2-15.
Udall, J.A. 1968. Quinidine and hypoprothrombinemia. Annals of Internal Medicine, 69(8). pp. 403-404.
Vessell, E.S., et.al. 1970. Impairment of drug metabolism in man by allopurinol and nortriptyline. New England J of Med, 283. p. 1484.
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