A Beautiful Bloom With Many Uses: Harnessing The Power of Red Clover
Red clover is a wonderful herb known for its multiple health benefits, particularly in alleviating menopause symptoms — including hot flashes and night sweats — due to naturally occurring phytoestrogen isoflavones. This powerhouse herb also promotes bone and cardiovascular health in menopausal women. Moreover, it serves as a soothing remedy for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, especially when used in conjunction with yellow dock and nettles as an external poultice. Keep reading for more on this humble yet potent herb. I’ve also included an easy recipe for you to try.
Basic Identification
With long and deep taproots, red clover has slender, hollow, hairy stems and can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall. The leaves are green with a pale crescent along the outer half that are divided into three leaflets, which measure 1/2 to 1/5 inches (0.25 cm to 3.125 cm) long and 1/2 inch (0.25 cm) wide. The leaflet edges are fine-toothed. Pink to red flowers bloom from May to September.
Where Does It Grow? Red clover can be found growing along roadsides and fields. It is a biennial or short-lived perennial.
Harvesting
It is important to collect red clover that grows away from heavily polluted areas, such as roadsides or near industrial facilities. Make sure to harvest it in the early morning while there is still dew on the flower. Snip the flowerhead off the plant one to two weeks after it has bloomed and leave the rest of the plant intact. Only harvest the leaves while they are young before the flowers emerge.
The blossoms can be used fresh or dried on a drying tray in a warm, dark, ventilated, dry space. Turn frequently until the blooms are completely dry. Store the dried herb in a cool, dry, dark location.
Edible Uses
The leaves and young flowers can be consumed either cooked or raw. The flowers can be brewed as a sweet herbal tea or dried and ground to be used as a flour substitute, as can the seed pods. The young leaves can be cooked as a green, added to soups, or dried and powdered to be used as a flavoring. It’s important to only use young leaves because once the plant flowers, they turn bitter.
Recipes. Red Clover Tea (hot): Red clover blossoms, whether fresh or dried, can be steeped in boiling water to make tea. For a stronger tea, use three fresh red clover blossoms or two to three teaspoons of dried flowers. Let the tea steep for 15 minutes while it cools. You can drink the tea warm or let it cool for external use. For optimal benefits, drink one cup up to three times daily.
Medicinal Uses
The flower can be used as a dried herb, tincture, or tea.
Here are my top 3 uses for red clover:
Helps alleviate the symptoms of menopause. Since red clover contains natural phytoestrogen isoflavones, it’s an excellent alternative or complement to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This is why I have included red cover in my all-natural Menopause Blend in the apothecary.
Boosts bone and cardiovascular health. This herb can help calm the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats. It also helps to slow bone loss and increase bone density in pre- and peri-menopausal women. What’s more, it promotes cardiovascular health in menopausal women.
Soothes skin conditions. An outstanding remedy for irritations when supported with yellow dock and nettles, an external poultice can be applied directly to the skin to relieve eczema, psoriasis, and other conditions.
Grow Your Knowledge of Herbal Medicine
But that’s not all. There are over six medicinal uses for red clover in my book, The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine. Detailed harvesting advice for this herb and many other easy-to-find plants are included. What’s more, it shows you how to make tinctures right in your own home. Seeking hands-on herbal training to complement the book? My online Herbal Academy Master Course is for you! Tap HERE to learn more and begin your herbalism journey today!
Safety
Red clover is generally considered safe and has minimal side effects, except for occasional gas. However, its anticoagulant and hormonal effects may be contraindicated for certain individuals.
Due to its hormonal properties, red clover should be avoided by women with a history of endometriosis, breast cancer, uterine cancer, fibroids, or other estrogen-sensitive conditions.
Additionally, red clover contains coumarin derivatives, so it should be used cautiously by individuals taking anticoagulation therapy. Furthermore, it is advisable to refrain from consuming red clover before surgery or childbirth, as it can potentially hinder blood clotting and healing processes.
Nicole Apelian
Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post
Menopause Blend Tincture
