Melilotus officinalis

Melilotus officinalis
Family:Melilotus officinalis; Antispasmodic; Aromatic; Carminative; Diuretic; Emollient; Expectorant; Ophthalmic; Vulnerary.
Common name:Melilot
Melilot used either externally or internally can help treat varicose veins and haemorrhoids though it requires a long-term treatment for the effect to be realised. Use of the plant also helps to reduce the risk of phlebitis and thrombosis. Melilot contains coumarins and as the plant dries or spoils these become converted to dicoumarol a powerful anticoagulant. Thus the plant should be used with some caution it should not be prescribed to patients with a history of poor blood clotting or who are taking warfarin medication. See also the notes above on toxicity. The flowering plant is antispasmodic aromatic carminative diuretic emollient mildly expectorant mildly sedative and vulnerary. An infusion is used in the treatment of sleeplessness nervous tension neuralgia palpitations varicose veins painful congestive menstruation in the prevention of thrombosis flatulence and intestinal disorders. Externally it is used to treat eye inflammations rheumatic pains swollen joints severe bruising boils and erysipelas whilst a decoction is added to the bath-water. The flowering plant is harvested in the summer and can be dried for later use. A distilled water obtained from the flowering tops is an effective treatment for conjunctivitis.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 04:28 []