Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses:

Black medic is a common, easily recognized wild legume that provides edible leaves and flowers in small quantities. However, its variable flavour, often bitter leaves, and potential health concerns limit its usefulness as a food plant. Its greatest practical value lies in its ability to fix nitrogen, provide forage, and establish groundcover in disturbed environments. With an edibility rating of 2 out of 5, black medic is best regarded as an occasional supplementary wild vegetable rather than a dependable food resource. The young leaves, flowers, and seeds are edible, but consumption should be limited because the genus contains potentially harmful compounds. Young leaves can be eaten raw in small quantities or cooked as a leafy vegetable. However, some populations have an unpleasantly bitter or acrid flavour, making them unsuitable for salads. Cooking may improve their palatability. The small yellow flowers are also edible and generally have a slightly more pleasant flavor than the leaves. They can be added sparingly to salads or cooked dishes [2-3]. The seeds are not recommended as a regular food because of concerns about canavanine and other potentially harmful compounds found in Medicago species. Specific safety information for black medic seeds is limited [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 2 out of 5 – Limited edible value. Black medic is widespread and has edible leaves and flowers, but its variable bitterness, small edible portions, and potential health concerns make it less desirable than many other wild vegetables [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: Black medic leaves taste like alfalfa, though they are often more bitter and acrid. Some plants produce reasonably palatable leaves, while others have an unpleasant taste that persists after cooking. Young leaves can be added in small quantities to mixed salads, although cooking is generally preferable. Boiling or steaming may reduce some of the harsh flavors. The flowers are usually slightly more pleasant and can be eaten fresh or cooked. You can easily strip both leaves and flowers from the stems. The stems become increasingly tough as they mature, so it is best to remove them before cooking. The fine hairs covering the leaves and stems generally do not interfere with preparation. Black medic is not considered one of the better wild vegetables, but its abundance makes it an occasional supplementary food [2-3]. Seasonality: Black medic generally begins producing fresh growth in spring and continues growing through summer and autumn when sufficient moisture is available. In the Northern Hemisphere, flowering commonly occurs from May to October, although the timing varies with climate and local conditions. Young leaves are best gathered before flowering or while the plant is actively growing. You can collect flowers throughout the flowering period. Seedpods develop during summer and autumn, gradually turning black as they mature. Traditional Uses: Black medic originated outside North America and was not a significant traditional food plant for Native American communities. In Europe and Asia, people have historically used it as livestock forage and occasionally as a wild vegetable. Its principal agricultural value comes from its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and grow in relatively poor soils. Like other legumes, black medic forms associations with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules. This allows it to contribute nitrogen to the soil, making it useful in some pasture and soil-improvement systems [2-3]. Safety: Do not eat black medic regularly or in large quantities. Plants in the Medicago genus contain biologically active compounds, including saponins and phytoestrogens. Canavanine, a non-protein amino acid associated with potential adverse health effects, is particularly well documented in alfalfa seeds. The amounts and risks associated with individual black medic plant parts are not well established. Therefore, do not assume the safety of black medic seeds based on traditional or experimental use. People with autoimmune conditions, pregnant people, and those taking medications should be particularly cautious about consuming concentrated preparations or large quantities of Medicago plants. As with other wild vegetables, avoid gathering plants from roadsides, chemically treated lawns, or contaminated soils [2-3]. Leaves - cooked[105]. Used as a potherb[183]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Seed - cooked[2, 105, 161]. Parched and eaten or ground into a powder[183]. The seed is said to contain trypsin inhibitors[218]. These can interfere with certain enzymes that help in the digestion of proteins, but are normally destroyed if the seed is sprouted first.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Lenitive

Aqueous extracts of the plant have antibacterial properties against micro-organisms[218, 240]. The plant is lenitive[218, 240]. One of our users has sent the following information 'Trypsin inhibitors can be inactivated by the application of heat, for example, boiling for 9 minutes. (Trypsin inhibitors are found in soy). L-canavanine can be destroyed by heat as well. Major saponins in alfalfa but also black medick, known as medicagenic acid and its derivatives, have major antifungal/antimycotic activity that could lend to better medical applications than existing antimycotic drugs that are limited in number and abilities. Medical applications meaning mycoses, which is a consequence of widespread use of immunospuppressive drugs used in transplants, cytotoxic chemotherapy in cancer treatments, broad spectrum antibiotics, recurring mycotic infections in those suffering of AIDS, and a recent hazard of previously agricultural niche saprophyte fungi that are becoming etiological agents and are relatively resistant to conventional therapies.'

Green manure

A good green manure plant, it is fairly deep-rooted, has good resistance to 'Clover rot', but it is not very fast-growing for groundcover[87]. It can be undersown with cereals, succeeding even in a wet season[87]. Black medic provides nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinating insects. Its foliage is eaten by livestock and some wild herbivores, while its low-growing habit can provide groundcover and shelter for small invertebrates. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it can also contribute to soil fertility and support plant growth in mixed vegetation. Its nitrogen-fixing ability makes it potentially useful as a component of mixed groundcover or pasture vegetation.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer