Menyanthidis folium

Bitter clover leaves, also known as Menyanthidis folium, is a drug that is used as a herbal remedy or bittering agent and is used internally for loss of appetite and digestive disorders.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: Loss of appetite, mild digestive complaints, flatulence, bloating
ESCOP monograph: Loss of appetite, indigestion, dyspeptic complaints, biliary complaints
Commission E-monograph: Loss of appetite, digestive complaints(dyspeptic complaints)B`V

Folk medicine: Stimulates appetite, aids digestion.

There is no antipyretic effect.

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.) Guide to phytotherapy. 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

6. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 429-431