Bitter clover

The bitter clover (Menyanthes trifoliata), also known as feverfew, a marsh or water plant, is the only plant species of the genus Menyanthes in the feverfew family (Menyanthaceae). The bitter clover is widespread in the northern hemisphere. It grows as a perennial, herbaceous plant in swampy freshwater zones. The plant grows to a height of up to 30 cm. The leaves are elliptical and have entire margins. The bitter clover produces small, pink flowers up to 1.5 cm in size from the end of April to June. Capsule fruits with a diameter of 6 to 7 mm develop from these.

The leaves of bitter clover are used phytotherapeutically: Menyanthidis folium.

Bitter clover is the parent plant of Menyanthidis trifoliatae folium, also Folia Menyanthidis or bitter clover leaves, the dried whole or crushed leaves. The drug "bitter clover leaves" is positively monographed by the Commission E as well as the ESCOP.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/bitterklee.php
2. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 82-83
3. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 429-431