Red Clover, Flowering
(also referred to as...)
Purple Clover, Trefoil
Latin Name: Trifolium pratense
Family: Leguminosae
Description
Red clover has been an important forage crop since the middle ages and the agricultural cultivar has been widely grown since the 17th century. Trifolium is from the Latin tri meaning three and folium meaning leaf and refers to the 3 lobed leaves. Once red clover arrived in North America, indigenous cultures used it as food and for its vulunery effects in ointments for sores and skin diseases. It was medicinally in use in Britain in the 19th century.
This short-lived perennial is native to Europe. It is found in fields and meadows throughout Europe and North America and prefers deep, rich, dry or moderately moist soils in full sun. Red clover has long-stalked leaves divided into 3 (and if you are lucky, four...) leaflets. The flowers have a purple-pink, or cream colour. It is best grown in its natural environment and is not the most ideal plant for cultivated gardens (its runners joyfully spread through the garden and blissfully drop seed ...)
As mentioned above, red clover has long been used by Indigenous North American cultures and is often employed in Chinese medicine. The herb contains isoflavones -- natural estrogens that help balance hormone levels, especially in women.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Red clover helps purifier the blood and is commonly used during a detoxification. It also has anti-spasmodic, expectorant, and vulnerary properties.
Due to its estrogen balancing properties, red clover is useful for dealing with premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, and menopause.
Red clover can also be used for treating skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. This herb is also used to treat endometriosis and uterine fibroids, and respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, coughing spasms, paroxysmal coughs, and whooping cough. It has also has potential as a possible cancer-fighter / preventative.
Red clover can be used as a nutritive in debility and cachexia -- a general condition of weakness and / or anemia due to a chronic illness
Source
Flowers and uppermost leaves.
Red Clover, Patch
Preparations Infusion: Add 1 to 3 teaspoons dried herb per cup of hot water. Drink up to 3 cups daily. This dosage can be quite cleansing and may be too much at first. Build up to this dose over a few days.
Ointment/Cream: Prepare with 10 to 15% flowerheads
Supplement: Take 100mg three times daily.
Tincture: Take 40 to 100 drops, three times daily.
Red clover may be combined with yellow dock or nettle for skin conditions and with elecampane for a cough.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Use unfermented red clover only.
If grown on molybdenum-rich soils (mining areas, aluminum production), herb will contain toxic doses of molybdenum.
Beware of detoxifying too fast.
There is no risk from topical applications.
Ailment / Situation Listing
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