Home > Herbs > Onobrychis Viciifolia

sainfoin

Onobrychis viciifolia · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (33 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Sainfoin, scientifically known as Onobrychis viciifolia, is a versatile medicinal plant prized for its diverse therapeutic properties. Renowned for its ability to support digestive health and reduce inflammation, this botanical powerhouse offers valuable bioactive compounds. It serves as a vital resource in traditional herbalism for promoting overall wellness.

Family
Fabaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Leaf
Common names
Esparcet · Holy-Clover · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Onobrychis Vicioides · Onobrychis Sativa Var. Pseudosupina · 34 more

Names

Common Names

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Hedysarum echinatum
  • Esparceta
  • Onobrychis sativa
  • Onobrychis vulgaris
  • Hedysarum onobrychis
  • cresta de abubilla
  • esparceta común
  • esparceta loca
  • esparcetilla
  • esparcilla
  • perigallo
  • pimpirigallo
  • pipirigallo
  • pipirigallo común
  • pirigallo
  • pirigallo silvestre
  • arbeja de asno
  • arveja de asno
  • Esparceta
  • Pipirigallo
  • arveja de asno
  • esparcetilla
  • arbeja de asno
  • cresta de abubilla
  • esparceta común
  • esparceta loca
  • esparcilla
  • perigallo
  • pimpirigallo
  • pipirigallo común
  • pirigallo
  • pirigallo silvestre

German:

  • Saat-Esparsette
  • Futter-Esparsette
  • Futteresparsette
  • Sainfoin
  • Futter-Esparcette
  • Futter-Esparsette
  • Saat-Esparsette
  • Futteresparsette

French:

  • Sainfoin cultivé
  • Onobrychis viciaefolia
  • Esparcette cultivée
  • Onobrychis sativa
  • Esparcette à feuilles de vesce
  • Sainfoin cultive
  • sainfoin
  • esparcette
  • esparcette cultivée
  • sainfoin
  • sainfoin cultivé
  • Esparcette commune
  • Esparcette à feuilles de vesce
  • Sainfoin cultive

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Onobrychis viciifolia

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Onobrychis viciifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with its placement in the genus Onobrychis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Onobrychis WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Sweden. Moving toward the central parts of the continent, the species can also be found in Middle Europe. Specifically, it inhabits parts of Austria within this central region. Finally, its range extends to Belgium, further demonstrating its widespread geographical footprint.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Hungary WCVP
Middle Europe Netherlands WCVP
Middle Europe Poland WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Onobrychis viciifolia, is characterized by its distinct foliage, specifically its leaves which play a key role in its identification. The leaves of this medicinal species are typically arranged in a way that contributes to its overall morphological structure, serving as a primary feature for botanical study and potential therapeutic application.
Plant Part Sources Consensus
leaf Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Onobrychis viciifolia has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-Pinitol, Afzelin, CATECHIN, COUMESTROL, Condensed Tannin.

Chemicals reported in Onobrychis viciifolia
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
(+)-Pinitol 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Afzelin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
CATECHIN 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
COUMESTROL 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Condensed Tannin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Condensed Tannins 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cyanidin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Delphinidin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Epicatechin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Epigallocatechin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

(+)-Pinitol

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Afzelin

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

CATECHIN

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

COUMESTROL

  1. Journal of food science and technology

Condensed Tannin

  1. Parasites & vectors

Condensed Tannins

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Cyanidin

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Delphinidin

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Epicatechin

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Epigallocatechin

  1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Medicinal Uses

Onobrychis viciifolia has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Ostertagia ostertagi, nematode infections, salt stress.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
Ostertagia ostertagi Parasites & vectors (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
nematode infections Veterinary parasitology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
salt stress Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
Freeze-dried samples Journal of food science and technology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
extractives of the leaves Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆