Herb Series: Red Clover

5/5/2016

Trifolium Pratense
Family: Legumiosae (pea family)
Parts used: both the leaves and blossoms but blossom are the most commonly used part.

As a spring sprouting perennial red clover is well known for its cleansing properties, from the blood to lymph, to the lungs and digestive tract. As it cleanses it eliminates toxins by increasing the flow of urine and bile as well as moving mucus out of the lungs and other areas of the body. Because of its cleansing property this is a great herb for treating different chronic conditions.

Properties and Herbal Actions

anti-inflammatory
antacid
alterative
antiemetic
antispasmodic
discutient
diuretic
expectorant
nervine
nutritive
sedative

definitions of herbal properties

Medicinal Uses

blood and lymph cleanser
swollen glands and lymph (cleanses and expels waste)
natural source of phytoestrogens which help the body to deal with; menopause symptoms, balancing hormones, hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, etc.
coughs, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, tuberculosis, etc. - moves mucus from lungs
skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, sores, infection, rashes, fungus, etc. (for its detoxing abilities)
eye conditions: pink eye, sties, inflammation, etc.
chronic illness, degenerative diseases, restores vitality after prolonged illness - due to the high nutrient content, all the areas of the body receive the proper nutrition to cleanse and rebuild.
maintains healthy bone density
digestive issues including chronic constipation
calming effect on the whole nervous system
Dr. Christopher among other herbalists and herbals praise this herb as a prevention and treatment for cancer. Red Clover was the key ingredient in Dr. Christopher's cancer formulas because of the cleansing, purifying properties it has on the blood.

Methods for Use

Fresh; eat as is, throw the blossoms into salads, smoothies or any fresh dish, seeds can be soaked and sprouted.
herbal infusion (tea)
compress/fomentation
tincture, glycerite, syrup
oil, ointment, salve
eye wash
douche

In the Garden

How to preapre herbs

Red clover likes loamy, well-drained soil but will grow anywhere.
Sprinkle seeds in full sun in the early spring or fall, keep moist until sprouting.
No fuss care so just let it grow.
Blossoms are ready to harvest right as they open and have a bright pink or red color.
Leaves are also medicinal, just not as potent as the blossoms.
Spring blossoms have the sweetest flavor, come fall they lose some of the sweetness.

Where Can I Get Red Clover

Red clover is very easy to identify and it grows wild in a lot of places so this is a good foraging herb. I personally like to have all the herbs I can growing in my own garden, I found some red clover seeds in the sprouting seeds section of Mountain Rose Herbs website. You can also purchase the dried herb from Mountain Rose Herbs, Bulk Herb Store, or Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop.

Caution

Some red clover constituents have blood thinning properties so you do not want to combine it with heart or blood thinning medications or if you have blood thinning problems.

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