melilotus

melilotus (me·li·lōˑ·shs),

n Latin name:
Melilotus officinalis L.; parts used: leaves (dried), flowers (dried); uses: antiedema, antiinflammatory, antitumor, immunomodulator, emollient, digestive aid, flatulence, diarrhea, general pains, lymphoedema, cancer, arthritis; precautions: patients with liver disorders or on blood thinners; can cause possible hepatotoxicity. Also called
melilot, Meliloti herba, and
sweet clover. See also coumarin.

---

Melilotus

a genus of the legume family Fabaceae; plants contain coumarol, converted by fungal infestation of the hay to toxin dicoumarol, which causes greatly prolonged clotting time, spontaneous hemorrhage and often fatal anemia. Includes M. alba (white sweet clover, Bokhara clover), M. altissima (tall melilot), M. indica (Hexham scent, King Island melilot), M. officinalis (yellow sweet clover).