Ribbed Melilot is a biennial herbaceous plant with a whitish tap root and erect, branched, ribbed stems, pubescent in the upper part, from 50 to 100 cm or more in height. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, trifoliate with pointed lanceolate stipules. Leaflets with a finely serrated edge, oblong-oval. The flowers are small, 5-7 mm long, collected in drooping axillary racemes with long peduncles. Corolla yellow, zygomorphic (irregular) moth type. The formula of the sweet clover flower is Ch3.2L1.2, (2) T (5 + 4) 1P1. The fruit is a small, naked, oval, grayish, transversely wrinkled one-two-seeded bean, with an awl-shaped spout. Seeds are greenish-yellow, 1.8-2.2 mm long. Blooms in June-September. Seeds ripen from August.

The herb of the ribbed Melilot is harvested in the flowering phase, cutting off the tops and side shoots up to 30 cm long. Rough and thick stems are removed, because they practically do not contain biologically active substances. They are dried in a room with good ventilation or in dryers at a temperature of 40 ° C. The dried grass is threshed, large stems are discarded. Medicinal raw material consists of a mixture of flowers, leaves, thin stems and a small amount of fruits, with a characteristic coumarin smell of fresh hay. The shelf life of medicinal raw materials is up to 2 years. Inadmissible impurities: white Melilot (Melilotus albus Ders.).

The herb of the medicinal plant ribbed Melilot contains coumarins and their derivatives (0.4-0.9%: coumarin, dicoumarol, dihydrocoumarin, melitoside glycoside), flavonoids (robinin, flovin, kaempferol and its derivatives), melilotin, essential oil (0.01 %), polysaccharides (mucus), protein (17.6%), saponins, purine derivatives (allantoin), phenolcarboxylic acids (hydroxycinnamic, coumaric, melilotic), phenolic triterpene compounds, carbohydrate compounds, nitrogenous bases, amino acids, tannins, vitamin C (up to 389 mg%), vitamin E (more than 45 mg%), carotene (up to 84 mg%), fat-like substances (up to 4.3%), macro- and microelements (accumulates molybdenum, selenium). Coumarin and melilotin give the plant a pleasant smell. The seeds contain fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, arachidic, behenic, lignoceric),

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE

Ribbed Melilot contains glycosides, which, when split, form coumarins (a colorless, crystalline substance with a distinct hay smell), melilotol, cimarin, melilotic acid and coumarin acid, tannins and temperature-reducing substances, purine, choline derivatives, essential substances, proteins, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, carotene, sugar and mucilage. Dicoumarol (dicoumarin) was found in the poached plant, which acts as a blood thinner.

Ribbed Melilot has certain antihypoxic, antiischemic and other cardiotropic properties. Clover-containing products are used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The plant also has expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.

It has been experimentally determined and clinically proven that the coumarin in Ribbed Melilot can depress the CNS and has an antipyretic effect. In patients with leukopenia under the influence of radiation therapy, coumarin increases the number of leukocytes at the expense of granulocytes and lymphocytes.

Ribbed Melilot is used for insomnia, hysteria, cardiospasms, migraines, climacteric complaints, as an expectorant for upper respiratory tract diseases, and clover also has laxative properties.

In folk medicine, Ribbed Melilot is used for nervous tension, insomnia, headaches, neurasthenia, hysteria, melancholy, menstrual cycle disorders, bronchitis, edema, bowel and bladder pain, flatulence. As well as a milk-enhancing agent.

Externally, decoctions and infusions, as well as flowers, are used to treat furunculosis, festering wounds, mastitis, otitis (2 tablespoons of the drug are placed in 2 glasses of boiling water, 5-6 hours).

The basic biological activity of the plant is provided by the presence of coumarin. Coumarin increases the systolic arterial blood pressure, increases the instantaneous cardiac volume and the amount of leukocytes in the blood, improves cerebral and peripheral blood circulation, as well as the blood supply of abdominal cavity organs.

In folk medicine, Ribbed Melilot is a laxative, is included as an emollient, and is also used in gynecological diseases. Decoction, infusion is used in case of flatulence, upper respiratory tract and lung diseases, hypertensive disease, atherosclerosis. As an expectorant, sedative, diuretic, antibacterial, hypotensive, antispasmodic, pain reliever. Externally, poultice, decoction (baths, compresses, applications, ointments and plasters) - as irritating, preventive, anti-inflammatory, cleansing, emollient agents, in case of abscesses, furunculosis, mastitis, joint rheumatism and malignant tumors.

Ribbed Melilot has certain antihypoxic, antiischemic and other cardiotropic properties. Clover-containing products are used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The plant also has expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Contraindications and side effects

It should be borne in mind that coumarin in large doses causes nausea, vomiting, headache, and has a paralyzing effect on smooth muscles.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FOOD

Ribbed melilot is used both as a spice and as a food plant. Roots of new plants (of the first year) are dug in autumn or very early spring. They can be boiled and baked. Dried roots of the plant are added to soups, salads and compotes. Fresh leaves just have a faint smell.

Melilot is used in large quantities to make cheese, although it has not been very popular recently. Also, dried clover leaves are added to fortified drinks, liqueurs and beer.

You can also collect the flowering tops of the clover for food, it is done in the heat of summer itself.

COSMETIC SIGNIFICANCE

Ribbed Melilot , in cosmetics, has a strong antioxidant and antimicrobial effect, and also has a protective effect on blood vessels and skin cells against the environment. Due to its concentration in the product, it also produces an anticoagulant and anti-edematous effect.

Ribbed Melilot contains such phytocompounds as: coumarins, organic acids, melilotoside glycoside, fatty substances (<4%), proteins (>17%) and essential oils. The most important compound in this plant is coumarins, when the plant is fermented, it turns into dicoumarin, which is a powerful anticoagulant, an excellent tonic for blood vessels.

Ribbed Melilot extract has a calming and astringent effect on blood vessels. Remedies with this plant are capable of increasing blood circulation, reducing edema, and healing various vascular diseases - from couperosis to varicose veins.

Ribbed Melilot extract significantly strengthens blood vessel walls.

Ribbed Melilot is used in dermatology to act on blood capillaries, as it strengthens them, liquefies blood, and thus edema. The extract has an antispasmodic, lymphokinetic and vein tonic effect.

Effective ribbed Melilot works together with other "stabilizers", for example with vitamin - rutin (P).

Ribbed Melilot extract can help to deal with various health problems and even solve problems of an aesthetic nature, which are associated with blockages and permeability of blood vessels.

For instance:

• To reduce swelling;
• To improve local blood circulation;
• For skin detoxification;
• To improve skin color;
• To get rid of lymphostasis;
• In case of varicose veins, venous insufficiency and vascular problems;
• At hydrolipodystrophy;
• In case of tired legs syndrome.

In practice, it has been observed that ribbed Melilot preparations are able to reduce not only varicose veins, but also help in the case of phlebitis and other thrombotic conditions. Ribbed Melilot extract is also effective in treating various skin inflammations and healing wounds, especially in delicate areas of the body, including the skin around the eyes.

Due to the fact that the plant has a calming and softening effect, it can be used perfectly to relieve inflammation, bruises, pain caused by arthritis and rheumatism, and it also helps to remove joint swelling. Ribbed Melilot preparations are also used in official medicine to cure boils, treat herpes virus and anal hernias.

Ribbed Melilot rarely causes an allergic reaction when used externally. However, if there is any individual intolerance, then its further use is not allowed.