Menyanthidis folium

Bitter clover leaves, also known as Menyanthidis folium, is a drug used as a herbal remedy or bittering agent and is used for internal use in loss of appetite and indigestion.

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Loss of appetite, mild indigestion, flatulence, flatulenceESCOP monograph
: Loss of appetite, indigestion, dyspeptic complaints, biliary complaintsCommission
E monograph: Loss of appetite, indigestion (dyspeptic complaints).

Dark clover leaves contain flavonoids, tannins, dimeric glycosidic-iridoid bitter substances and essential oil. The bitter value must always be at least 3000.

The ingredients of Menyanthidis folium promote the secretion of gastric juice and saliva.

Menyanthidis folium is used for existing dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite. It is also used for gallbladder and bile duct complaints.

The usual daily dose corresponds to 1.5 to 3.0 g of the drug and is used as tea infusion (Commission E).

may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea at high doses

Bitter clover leaves are less effective than the gentian root or an Extractum centaurii (centaury).

1. Junior P (1989) Further investigations regarding distribution and structure of the bitter principles from Menyanthes trifoliata. Planta Med 55:83-87.
2. Schilcher H (2016.) Leitfaden Phytotherapie. Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich p. 80 f.
3. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/bitterklee.php.
4. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 82-83
5. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-menyanthes-trifoliata-l-folium_en.pdf