Family: Fabaceae (Legumiosae) pea and bean family
Parts used: blossoms
As a spring sprouting perennial, red clover is well known for its cleansing properties, from the blood to lymph, 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 and mystery illnesses.
Properties and Herbal Actions
- alterative
- anti-inflammatory
- antacid
- antiemetic
- antibiotic
- antimicrobial
- antirheumatic
- antispasmodic
- antitumor
- aperient
- demulcent
- depurative
- detoxing
- discutient
- diuretic
- expectorant
- nervine
- nutritive
- relaxant
- tonic
Uses
- Helps the body assimilate nutrients, remove waste, and rebuild: preventative, infection, swellings, chronic conditions, degenerative disease, mystery illness, wasting, weak conditions, illness recovery, restore vitality, accelerate healing, etc.
- Blood and lymph cleanser and purifier
- May reduce blood clotting and plaque in arteries, stroke prevention,
- Swollen glands, lymph, cysts, lumps, growths, tumors, etc. (cleanses and expels waste)
- Natural source of phytoestrogens which help the body with hormone balance, premenstrual and menopause symptoms, hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, beast health, etc.
- Respiratory support: sore throat, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, tuberculosis, etc. - moves mucus from the lungs
- Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, sores, infection, rashes, burns, wounds, fungus, etc.
- Eye conditions: pink eye, sties, inflammation, etc.
- Maintains healthy bone density, strengthens bones and teeth
- Inflammatory and rheumatic conditions both internal and external
- Stomach and digestive issues including chronic constipation and chronic ulcers
- Painful urination and urinary tract infection
- Calming effect on the whole nervous system
- Dr. Christopher among other eclectic herbalists praise this herb as a prevention and treatment for cancer. Red Clover was the key ingredient in Dr. Christopher's cancer formula because of the cleansing, purifying properties it has on the blood.
Methods for Use
- Food: eat the blossoms, add to salads, soups, drinks, smoothies or any fresh dish, seeds can be soaked and sprouted or used for micro greens
- Tea (1-3 teaspoons per cup of water – drink cold for hot flashes and heat conditions)
- Bath, soaks
- Poultice, compress
- Extracts, syrup, liniment
- Powder, sprinkle, capsules
- Honey (food or skin ointment)
- Herbal oil, ointment, salve, cream
- Washes, eyewash, mouthwash, gargle
- Douche, enema
Wildcrafting/Harvesting
- 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.
- Blossoms are ready to harvest right as they open, don’t use browning blossoms.
- Harvest on a dry, sunny day, snipping right below the blossom head, it’s okay to gather the top leaves as well, though they will affect the flavor as they get more potent as they mature.
- Spring blossoms have the sweetest flavor, come fall they lose some of the sweetness.
- Process or use immediately or dry thoroughly for storage.
- Roots have tiny nodules filled with nitrogen fixing bacteria, as the deep tap root pulls up minerals from the soil into the plant, it puts out nitrogen that nourishes the soil making it a great cover crop.
Where Can I Get Red Clover
Caution
Herbal Blends
Resources
Red Clover Benefits - Dr. Axe
Herbal Legacy - Red Clover (2014)
Herbal Academy Red Clover
A Handbook of Native American Herbs by Alma Hutchens, p. 160
A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M Grieve, p. 207
Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss, p. 172
Backyard Medicine (quotes from old herbals and recipes, with dosages), p. 139
Botany in a Day
Floriography, p. 38
Handbook of Nature Study, p. 591
Homegrown Herbs by Tammi Hartung, p. 219
Peterson Field Guides: Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs, p. 159
Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra, p. 191
Practical Herbalism (full list of constituents and actions, preparations and dosages) p. 254
Prescription Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A. Balch, p. 123
Mountain States Medicinal Plants by Briana Wiles, p. 182
North American Wild Flowers, p.290
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen, p. 144 (details of actions and constituents)
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide
School of Natural Healing by Dr. John R. Chistopher, p. 56)
Stories of Plants and Trees (N4), p. 240, 347
The Complete Medicinal Herbal by Penelope Ody, p. 105
The Herbal Academy: Recipes Monographs: Intermediate Herbal Course, p. 205
The How to Herb Book by Keith and Gordon, p. 51 (specific conditions and how to use)
The Language of Flowers by John Ingram, p. 235
The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey, p. 80
The New Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman, p. 482
The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, p.220
The Wild Wisdom, p. 136
The Woman’s Herbal Apothecary, p. 67
Wildflowers and the stories behind their names, p. 46
Wild Flower Children: The Little Playmates of the Fairies by Elizabeth Gordon