-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Melilotus officinalis (Sweet Clover)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Melilotus officinalis

synonyms: sweet clover, Felter and Lloyd Clover, yellow melilot, field melilot, hay flowers, king's clover, yellow sweet clover, steinklee, honigklee, mottenklee, barenklee, mallotenkraut, petit trefle jaune, trefle des mouches, herbe aux puces, couronne royale, melilot

part(s) used: herb

qualities:

affinities: digestive system

actions: aromatic, emollient, carminative

dosage:

» tincture: 1 - 3 ml.

therapy:

toxicity: 2; see coumarin toxidrome

» treatment of overdose: vitamin K serves as an inhibitor of these antithrombotics and should be administered at least twice daily (Theines and Haley, p. 242)

» caution is advised during pregnancy, placental instability may occur (Theines and Haley, p. 242); caution is advised regarding use in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves’ disease, or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67)

» avoid use in patients taking salicylates

» possible goitrogen due to cyanogenic glycosides (Langer and Greer, pp. 79-80)

constituents: coumarin derivatives, flavonoids, tannins

drug interactions:

» salicylates, acetaminophen, and bromelain due to potential hemorrhagic diathesis from its coumarin components (Brinker, Felter and Lloyd, Hogan)

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Hogan RP III. 1983. Hemorrhagic Diathesis Caused by Drinking an Herbal Tea. JAMA, 249:2679-80.

Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.

Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.