Bird's-foot Trefoil - Lotus corniculatus

POISONOUS

All parts of the plant are poisonous, containing cyanogenic glycosides(hydrogen cyanide). In small quantities, hydrogen cyanide has been shown to stimulate respiration and improve digestion, it is also claimed to be of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In excess, however, it can cause respiratory failure and even death. This species is polymorphic for cyanogenic glycosides. The flowers of some forms of the plant contain traces of prussic acid and so the plants can become mildly toxic when flowering. They are completely innocuous when dried.

 

No known Edible uses.

 

MEDICINAL USES: Anti-inflammatory; Antispasmodic; Cardiotonic; Carminative; Febrifuge; Hypoglycemic; Restorative; Sedative;

Tonic; Vermifuge.

 

Carminative, febrifuge, hypoglycemic, restorative, vermifuge. The flowers are antispasmodic, cardiotonic and sedative. The root is carminative, febrifuge, restorative and tonic. The plant is used externally as a local anti-inflammatory compress in all cases of skin inflammation.

 

OTHER USES: Dye; Green manure.

 

An orange-yellow dye is obtained from the flowers. A useful green manure plant, fixing atmospheric nitrogen. It is difficult to see this plant as a useful green manure, it is fairly slow growing and does not produce much bulk

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www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Lotus+corniculatus

 

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