Meliloti herba

Medicinally used are above-ground plant parts of sweet clover and melilot (Melilotus officinalis) collected at flowering time, but also the herb of melilot (Melilotus altissima).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Internal and external for mild venous circulatory disorders, heaviness in the legs, external mild skin inflammation.
ESCOP monograph: Internal: Chronic venous insufficiency for pain and heaviness in the legs, nocturnal calf cramps, itching and swelling.
Commission E monograph: Internal: Chronic venous insufficiency with pain and heaviness in the legs, nocturnal calf cramps, itching and swelling; supportive in thrombophlebitis, post-thrombotic syndrome, hemorrhoids, lymph congestion; external: Bruises, sprains, superficial bruising.

Empirical medicine: joint inflammation, boils and carbuncles (as an herbal poultice)

The medicinally used herb of Melilotus officinalis (Herba Meliloti) contains coumarin derivatives, above all melilotonide, from which the volatile coumarin is formed, which causes the typical coumarin scent of hay. It also contains melitonin (a dihydrocoumarin), flavonoids with the aglycans quercetin and kaempferol, as well as saponins, phenolcarboxylic acids and essential oils.

Anti-oedematous in inflammatory oedema and stasis oedema, antiexudative, accelerates wound healing.

Preparation: Crushed drug as tea infusion for internal and external use.
Preparation: 1-2Tl drug to one cup of boiling water, strain after 10 min, dosage 2-3 cups per day.

Internal: symptoms of CVI, nocturnal calf cramps, itching, swellingExternal
: bruises, haematomas, superficial thrombophlebitis, postthrombotic syndrome, haemorrhoids, lymphatic congestion, also with boils (no evidence)

Systemic applications are not recommended as no data is available.

Internal use: Rarely headache, gastrointestinal complaints,

external use: allergic reactions

Hypersensitivity to the active substances; children and adolescents under 18 years of age

Systemic application increases the effect of anticoagulants, especially coumarin-type anticoagulants.

Venolat® capsules and ointment, Veno-Dolan® drops and capsules, combination products; Phlebodril® cream

No systemic use in persons < 18 years. The above mentioned effects are sufficiently proven in animal experiments. There are no reliable clinical studies.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/steinklee.php
2. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-melilotus-officinalis-l-lam-herba_en.pdf

3. Wenigmann M.(2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs phytopharmaceuticals application. Urban & Fischer: 5.108 Sweet clover (Meliloti herba) p 198-199.