Red Clover
(Trifolium pratense)
Family: PAPILIONACEAE
Energetics: Neutral to cooling. Moistening
Taste: Sweet. Mildly Bitter
Tissue States: Tension
Systems Affected: Blood. Brain. Liver. Skin. Central Nervous System. Lymphatic System. Reproductive System. Heart. Lungs.
Parts Used: Flowering top and top leaf.
Key Components: Polysaccharides, isoflavones, salicylates, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides, protein, beta-carotene, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Iron, Silicon, Calcium, Magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, selenium.
Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: Nourishing infusion. Trail nibble. Food. In Salads, blender drinks or garden soups. Tincture. Vinegar.
Actions:
Foundational:
Primary: Alterative. Expectorant.
Secondary: Expectorant. Nutritive. Tonic. Sedative. Antispasmodic. Anti-Tumor. Nutritive.
Uses:
Blood and lymphatic cleanser. Moves the lymph if there’s stagnation. Good with yarrow or Don qui. Often used in formulas for skin issues such as eczema & psoriasis (use internally and/or externally as a wash). Great for lymphatic congestion. Blood purifier that helps the body rid itself of toxic build up & waste. Gently restores the cardiovascular system. Helps blood move more effectively. Said to improve cognitive function, especially where the memory has declined as a result of overwork. Helps purge lymph nodes of congested material & reduce hard, swollen, painful nodules.
Can help improve vision.
Skin: Often in blends for skin issues such as eczema and psoriasis both as a tea and as a skin rinse/wash.
Skin: Often in blends for skin issues such as eczema and psoriasis both as a tea and as a skin rinse/wash.
Respiratory System: Helpful in restoring health and vitality after a respiratory infection. Also good fro treating respiratory problems in children.
Helpful in conditions with swollen glands such as mumps.
Menopause: Specific for supporting fertility & transition into menopause. Helps modulate the relative levels of estrogen & progesterone. Excellent postpartum. Mild phytoestrogens and isoflavones can help symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings (possibly blend with sage & motherwort) This action is due to the mild phytoestrogens and isoflavones in red clover that attach to the receptor cells that produce estrogen so that the external environmental estrogen's aren’t able to bind. Supports the sensation of healthy estrogen levels without taking away minerals. May also help maintain healthy bone density. Also moistening to the vaginal area. Could potentially help maintain healthy bone density.
Flower Essence: Indicated for someone who is easily influenced by the others and the popular opinion instead of making their own decisions.
Combines well with: Peppermint. Spearmint. Motherwort. Violet. Yarrow.
I will say that my personal experience is one of brain clearing and calming. Not said to be a nervine but there has been a wondering that perhaps the blood cleansing and moving abilities reach to even the smallest capillaries. I am personally often in a walking brain fog. I can't quite explain it but my brain feels less "buzzy" and more clear. My head seems less congested. Not congested in the stuffy head cold sense though.
I will say that my personal experience is one of brain clearing and calming. Not said to be a nervine but there has been a wondering that perhaps the blood cleansing and moving abilities reach to even the smallest capillaries. I am personally often in a walking brain fog. I can't quite explain it but my brain feels less "buzzy" and more clear. My head seems less congested. Not congested in the stuffy head cold sense though.
Identifying:
Growing: Perennial. Often found in fields & pastures. Prefers rich, fertile, well drained soil. Fixes nitrogen in the soil.
Harvesting: Harvest the pink/purple blossoms as soon as they open. Avoid harvesting any that are turning brown.
Contraindications: Has blood thinning properties. Do not use for 2 weeks before or after surgery. Also avoid if you are taking heart medication or have any kind of blood thinning problem or are taking blood thinners. Debate about if it is safe for use in pregnancy. Safe for use if someone has had breast cancer. Not proven whether or not Red Clover could increase recurrence of estrogen receptor positive cancers so probably best to avoid.
Sources:
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: Rosemary Gladstar. Pg 192-196
The Way of Herbs: Michael Tierra. Pg 185, 312
The Herbal Apothecary: JJ Pursell. Pg 152
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