Unsung heroes.

Today I was fortunate enough to tune into conversation on Tapestry with Robin Wall Kimmerer.  I read her book Braiding Sweetgrass back in January of 2020 – just before the pandemic.  Part of today’s conversation concerned the fact that apparently your average person can only recognize 10 different plants.  One of them being the Christmas Tree.  Now I recognize significantly more than 10 plants, however, I also know many plants aren’t appreciated.  I want to talk about one of our unsung heroes of herbalism.

If we can expand our understanding and use of plants beyond popular herbs we can reduce population pressure on the cool kids.  Above all, our medicine will be stronger as a result of greater diversity in our dispensaries.

Yellow Sweet Clover/White Sweet Clover.

While they are in the Fabaceae they are not true clovers.  Botanically they are closer to a plant like alfalfa.  Leaflets consist of 3 finely toothed individual leaves.  The leaflets are alternate. The plant came to North America from Europe and Asia.  They are well established in North America.  Some jurisdictions consider them weeds to be gotten rid of.  The plants are distinctive.  Yellow sweet clover grows 4-5 feet high.  White sweet clover grows 4-6 feet high. In term of identification the main visual difference is that one plant has white flowers (Melilotus alba) and the other yellow (Melilotus officinalis).

The medicinal properties in the yellow sweet clover are stronger but it is more difficult to find large quantities of it.  White sweet clover is much more abundant.  To counter this I make tincture of both and mix them together 50/50.  Yellow sweet clover flowers middle to end of June, while white sweet clover flowers a week or two later.   Harvest the top 25% of the plant as it begins to flower.  Discard the bottom 3-4 inches of the stalk.

Yellow Sweet Clover – Melilotus officinalis.

Vascular Tonic.

Both sweet clovers are superior vascular tonics.  In a society where almost half the population suffers from cardiovascular disease this property is critical.  A vascular tonic is an herb that tones and strengthens the blood vessels.  Vascular tonics also reduce inflammation.  Ordinarily the bioflavonoid content of an herb is responsible for this action. Quercetin and kaempferol are 2 bioflavonoids present in yellow and white sweet clover.  Sweet clover is excellent for conditions such as atherosclerosis, bruises, varicose veins, hemorrhoids and other conditions of the cardiovascular system.  Sweet clover is used both internally and topically.

Both plants contain coumarins.  The coumarin makes the herb smell “sweet”.  When you inhale the aroma of newly mown hay it is a result of the coumarins.  Coumarin is anti-thrombotic.  Vitamin K plays a role in how our blood clots.  Coumarin inhibits the production of Vitamin K.  Fermentation turns coumarin into dicoumarol – a stronger anti-coagulant.  Cattle feed sweet clover silage (by definition fermented) used to bleed to death.

Do not use sweet clover for anyone taking blood thinners.  Sweet clover is contraindicated in pregnancy.  Sweet clover outcompetes many other plants.  They prevent them from thriving.  If we can develop our expertise in working with these unsung heroes we can act as an ally to these plants.  A win win.