An erect, straggly biennial, 60 cm-1.2 m (2-4 ft.) high, it has ridged, branched stems with trifoliate leaves and narrow ovate leaflets. The yellow, honey-scented flowers are borne in slender axillary racemes, from midsummer to autumn.
History and traditions
Once popular as a strewing herb for the hay like scent it develops when drying, due to the coumarone content, the name of the genus means “honey-lotus” for the sweet smell of its nectar and it is very attractive to bees. It was used in the Greek physician Galen‘s time, AD 130-201, as an ingredient of ointments for reducing swellings, tumors and inflammations, and appears in later European herbals for similar purposes. Culpeper adds that “the head often washed with the distilled water of the herb and flowers is good for those who swoon, also to strengthen the memory”.
Growth
Grow in well-drained to dry soil, in a sunny situation. Propagated by seed sown in spring or autumn.
Uses
An aromatic herb with sedative, anti-inflammatory properties, it was formerly taken as an infusion or tincture for insomnia, tension headaches and painful menstruation, and applied externally to wounds and skin inflammations. It also has a reputation for helping to prevent thrombosis and has been used for bronchial complaints and catarrh.
Aromatic
It has insect-repellent properties and the dried herb is sometimes included in scented sachets for the wardrobe.
