What is Sweet Clover?

Sweet clover, long popular as food for grazing animals, is used medicinally as well. It contains various substances in the coumarin family. These chemicals are thought to help strengthen the walls of blood and lymph vessels. However there is no more than preliminary evidence that sweet clover is effective for any medical condition. In addition, use of sweet clover presents some safety concerns. (See Safety Issues for more information.)

Germany's Commission E has authorized use of sweet clover extract for symptoms of venous insufficiency (a condition closely related to varicose veins) as well as for the treatment of phlebitis and hemorrhoids . ¹ When used for this purpose, however, sweet clover is generally combined with bioflavonoids such as oxerutin . However, there is no meaningful evidence as ytet that sweet clover taken aloneis effective for these conditions.

Sweet clover contains coumarins, substances related to the prescription blood-thinner warfarin . Most scientific study relevant to sweet clover involves prescription drugs that combine coumarins and bioflavonoids. These medications have also been used to treat venous insufficiency, as well as numerous other...

Safety Issues

The safety of any medicinal use of sweet clover has not been established in humans. Sweet clover contains various substances in the coumarin family. Many (but not all) of these substances thin the blood, and might cause excessive bleeding in some individuals. In particular, sweet clover should not be combined with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin or drugs in the aspirin family.

Safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

Interactions You Should Know About

If you are taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin(Coumadin), heparin, clopidogrel(Plavix), pentoxifylline(Trental ) or drugs in the aspirinfamily, you should not use sweet...