Naturopathy

Bitter clover

Latin name: Menyanthes trifoliata
Genus: Fever clover plants, protected!
Common names: Trefoil, rabbit's eye, gallwort, fever clover

Plant description bitter clover

Plant description: The plant grows on swampy soils of water or in mud with a creeping rhizome that develops grapes or panicles with numerous flowers in May to June. The stem is smooth with threefold leaves.
Origin: Widespread in Europe, Asia and North America, but very rare and therefore protected. Collecting is only allowed in certain places. The plant is closely related to the yellow gentian.

Plant parts used medicinally

The leaves, collection time May to June

ingredients

Bitter substances (loganin), tannins, flavonoids

Medicinal effects and uses of bitter clover

Used for a lack of appetite and stomach problems and to promote the flow of bile. Bitter substances promote the production of gastric juices and stimulate the flow of bile, promote the desire to eat. Gentian, wormwood and Centaury also belong to these bitter agents.

Bitter clover is also called fever clover. This name is a bit misleading because bitter clover has been proven not to reduce fever.

Use in homeopathy

Here the remedy Menyanthes is known and used in the past primarily to strengthen the stomach. Today also for headaches with flashes, ringing in the ears, nerve pain. Commonly used in D1 to D3.

Preparation of bitter clover

Bitter clover tea. Mix 1 teaspoon of bitter clover leaves with ¼ l water, heat to the boil, boil for about 1 minute, strain, drink moderately warm and unsweetened in sips. To stimulate the appetite half an hour before meals.

Combination with other medicinal plants

Tea mixture for the treatment of stomach and gallbladder problems:

Bitter clover leaves 15.0 g / peppermint leaves 10.0 g / centaury 5.0 g

Pour ¼ l of boiling water over 1 heaped teaspoon of this mixture, leave to stand for 5 minutes, strain. Drink three cups a day, unsweetened, moderately warm and in sips.