Melilot: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Melilotus officinalis
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Coumarins
Phenolic acids
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Contusion, Bruising ✪✪✪✪✪
Melilot has traditionally been used to treat bruises and hematomas because of its beneficial effects on circulation and its anti-inflammatory action. Active compounds such as coumarin in melilot reduce capillary permeability and improve microcirculation, which can help reduce swelling and accelerate the resolution of bruises. The EMA also approves melilot for the treatment of minor skin inflammations, confirming its traditional use in these contexts.
Posologie
Topical use: flowering tops
3 - 6 g
patch, fluid extract
Hemorrhoids ✪✪✪✪✪
Melilot, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties, has traditionally been used to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms.
Posologie
Oral use: flowering tops
480 - 750 mg
hydroalcoholic extract, dry extract
Venous insufficiency, Varicose veins, Varicosities, Oedema ✪✪✪✪✪
Melilot offers benefits thanks to its effects on the venous-lymphatic system. By improving vascular tone and increasing lymphatic flow, melilot helps reduce venous stasis, a key factor in the development of varicose veins and hemorrhoids. In addition, activation of phagocytes by melilot contributes to reducing local inflammation, thereby providing relief in cases of varicose veins and hemorrhoids, where inflammation and pain are often present. Melilot's ability to promote healing and tissue regeneration may also be beneficial in repairing vascular damage associated with phlebitis. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognizes melilot as a traditional product to relieve symptoms of discomfort and heaviness in the legs associated with minor venous circulatory disorders.
Posologie
Oral route: flowering tops
480 - 750 mg
hydroalcoholic extract, dry extract
Heavy legs ✪✪✪✪✪
Melilot is traditionally used to relieve symptoms of heaviness in the legs associated with mild venous circulatory disorders, in accordance with the EMA's indication.
Posologie
Topical route: flowering tops
3 - 6 g
patch, fluid extract
Properties
Vascular effect
Melilot has notable effects on the vascular system, particularly due to its myotropic properties that actively stimulate the lymphatic and venous systems. The coumarins, active compounds in melilot, improve vessel tone by increasing the rate and force of lymphatic contractions while reducing capillary permeability. This action promotes better tissue oxygenation through a significant improvement in microcirculation. These combined effects contribute to improved management of lymphedemas and to an overall increase in lymphatic vascular activity.
Usages associés
Microcirculatory effect
Melilot contains substances called benzopyrones, particularly alpha-benzopyrones such as coumarins. These compounds improve blood circulation in small vessels by stimulating contraction of lymphatic vessels and by activating macrophages to produce a protein-degrading effect. This can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected tissues.
Usages associés
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant
Coumarins have anticoagulant activity.
Safe dosage
Adults aged 18 and over:
- For internal use, the recommended dose is 1 to 5 mg of coumarin per day, administered as a melilot preparation. - As an infusion, the recommended dose is 1 to 1.2 g per infusion, 1 to 2 times per day. - As a dry extract, the recommended dose is 250 mg, 3 times per day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulants: moderate interaction
Melilot contains coumarinic acids, which have anticoagulant activity.
Contraindications
Liver disorders: contraindicated
Melilot is contraindicated in people with liver problems.
Children under 18 years: contraindicated
Melilot is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as in children under 18 years of age.
Pregnant women: contraindicated
Melilot is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as in children under 18 years of age.
Breastfeeding women: contraindicated
Melilot is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as in children under 18 years of age.
