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Seed | Sweet Clover
  • Seed | Sweet Clover
Seed | Sweet Clover

Seed | Sweet Clover

$3.99 CAD
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Sweet Clover improves the structure of compacted soils thanks to its deep roots. It is an excellent green manure and a honey plant prized by pollinators.
A LITTLE HISTORY

Sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), also known as yellow melilot, is a biennial herb native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia, which has spread to North America. Here's a look at its history and uses:

  • History and description:

Sweet clover has been valued for thousands of years for its many uses. It is characterized by its trilobed leaves and fragrant yellow flowers arranged in elongated clusters on upright stems 30 to 80 cm tall. Traditionally, it was used both as a medicinal plant and as fodder for livestock.

  • Nitrogen fixer:

Sweet clover has a unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil through a symbiosis with specific bacteria present in its roots. This property makes it a beneficial plant for improving soil fertility, particularly in nitrogen-deficient areas.

  • Soil decontamination:

Studies have shown that sweet clover can be used to speed up the decontamination process of polluted soils. Its deep roots absorb pollutants from the soil, contributing to their degradation and gradual elimination. This is particularly useful in industrial sites or areas that have been exposed to toxic substances.

  • Use in the garden:

If you know of an area of ​​your garden that has been contaminated by pollutants, planting sweet clover can be an eco-friendly strategy to help restore soil quality. Not only does it help decontaminate the soil, but its abundant flowers also attract pollinators and foraging insects, promoting local biodiversity.

In summary, sweet clover is a versatile plant with significant environmental properties in addition to its historical and traditional uses. Whether enriching soil with nitrogen, aiding in the decontamination of polluted soils, or supporting pollinator life, sweet clover offers several benefits for environmentally conscious gardeners and conservationists.
PROPERTIES

Sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), also known as yellow melilot, has several medicinal properties that have been recognized and used throughout history. Here are some of its main medicinal properties:

  • Anticoagulant:

Sweet clover contains coumarins, particularly coumarin and dicoumarin, which have anticoagulant effects. These compounds help thin the blood by inhibiting clotting, which may be beneficial in reducing the risk of blood clots.

  • Anti-inflammatory:

Sweet clover extracts have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, making them useful in relieving inflammation and swelling associated with conditions such as arthritis or muscle injuries.

  • Vasoprotective:

Sweet clover is known to strengthen blood vessel walls, making it effective in treating circulatory disorders such as varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It can also help reduce capillary fragility.

  • Antispasmodic:

In herbal medicine, sweet clover is used as an antispasmodic to relieve muscle spasms and cramps, particularly in the digestive system.

  • Diuretic:

Sweet clover has mild diuretic properties, promoting the elimination of excess fluids and toxins from the body through the kidneys.

  • Healing:

Applied externally, Sweet Clover can be used to promote the healing of minor wounds and skin ulcers, due to its skin regenerative properties.

  • Mild sedative:

Some medicinal traditions use sweet clover for its mild calming effects, making it a potential remedy for relieving anxiety and improving sleep.

It is important to note that although sweet clover has these beneficial properties, it contains coumarins which may have blood-thinning effects.

Therefore, its use should be supervised, especially in people taking blood-thinning medications or with specific health problems. As with any medicinal plant, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before using sweet clover for therapeutic purposes.
HOW TO COOK?

Sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis), as a plant primarily used for its medicinal properties and environmental benefits, is not often used in modern human cuisine due to its bitter taste and coumarin content. However, here are some historical and traditional uses that may interest you:

  • Infusion:

Sweet clover flowers and leaves can be used to make an infusion. Boil water and add dried leaves or flowers. Let it steep for a few minutes to create a beverage traditionally used for its soothing and digestive properties.

  • Flavoring:

Due to its sweet, floral aroma, sweet clover has been used to flavor certain dishes, particularly in traditional European cuisines. However, its use is now quite rare due to its potential toxicity in high doses.

  • Use as a spice:

In some cultures, sweet clover seeds have been used as a spice or as an ingredient in spice blends to flavor dishes. However, this requires a thorough understanding of the plant and its potential health effects.

  • Preservation in vinegar:

As mentioned earlier, sweet clover has been used for its soil decontamination properties. The leaves can also be pickled to make a flavored vinegar, although this use is more common for non-food applications.

  • When dried, the leaves and flowers give off a scent similar to vanilla when crushed, which can be used to flavor an infusion or sweet dishes such as creams or even syrups, for example.
  • Ground sweet clover is added to flour in baking recipes. In liquid preparations, such as cheesecake or pastry cream, the ground sweet clover is first infused in hot milk or cream, much like a vanilla bean.
  • Sweet clover's flavor profile pairs well with dairy desserts, such as cheesecake, fruits such as raspberries, blackberries, peaches, or pears, and desserts made with chocolate or maple syrup.

We use a few drops of essence to flavor our sparkling waters.

Here you go, enjoy your meal!
HOW TO GROW?

It will be necessary:

  • Cold stratification:
  • Prepare the seeds: Clean them and, if necessary, soak them for a few hours.
  • Mix: Mix the seeds with a moist substrate (sand or vermiculite).
  • Condition: Put everything in an airtight bag.
  • Refrigerate: Place the bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 12 weeks.
  • Check: Make sure the substrate remains slightly moist.
  • Sow: After the stratification period, sow the seeds in prepared soil.

That's it! It helps the seeds germinate.

Our seeds are vigorous, open-pollinated and adapted to the Quebec climate.

  • Species: Melilotus officinalis
  • Sowing: Early March indoors, or broadcast on the surface to cultivate outdoors either in spring or towards the end of August
  • Seeds: 10-15 seeds per pot, final transplanting into an outdoor pot or soil around mid-May
  • Sowing depth: 1 cm
  • Germination time: 10-16 days
  • Soil: Poor, humus-rich, loose and well-drained
  • Location: Sun and tolerates shade and cold very well
  • Spacing between plants: 15-20cm
  • Height at maturity: 30-80cm
  • Maturity: 60-65 days | Biennial
  • Seeds per envelope: +/- 100
    Our seeds are guaranteed for the year of purchase.

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