Red Clover - Trifolium pratense

Botanical name: Trifolium pratense

Common name:

Red Clover 

Family: 

Fabaceae

Parts used: 

• Leaves 

• Flower  

Native region:  

Central & Western Asia, Northwest Africa, Europe 

Constituents: 

• Clovamides

• Coumarides

• Flavonoids

• Isoflavones

• Minerals;

• Calcium 

• Copper

• Iron

• Magnesium

• Manganese

• Phosphorus

• Potassium

• Zinc 

• Phytoalexins

• Resins

• Vitamins

• A, B, C, E, F, P 

• Volatile oils 

Actions: 

• Cooling 

• Moistening

Energetics: 

• Alterative

• Antibacterial

• Antiinflammatory  

• Antiviral 

• Antispasmodic 

• expectorant 

• Detergent 

• Depurative 

• Stimulant 

• Tonic 

Taste: 

• Sweet 

Dosage and safety: 

• Tea: 3-4 cups a day 

• Tincture: 2-4ml 3x daily for 6 days, discontinue for a few days then start again

• Discontinue use 2 weeks prior to and after surgery 

• Do Not take with anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners)

• Avoid during childbirth, pregnancy

Traditional use: 

• TCM: 

• Has been used to tonify yin

• Reduce inflammation 

• Remove toxins

• Bites and stings 

• Blood cleanser 

• Pain relief 

• Women’s health- menopause  

• Nurtures the body mind and spirit 

• Skin problems: 

• Eczema, psoriasis, etc

• Women’s health:

• Menopause, helps with hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats

• Treats infertility 

• Regulates hormones  

• Maintaining bone density 

• Calming the mind:

• Depression & anxiety 

• Headaches & migraines 

• Regulates cholesterol 

• Cancers 

• Inhibits the growth of abnormal cells 

• Prostate cancer 

• Breast cancer 

Recipes:

• Lymphatic Congestion:

• Red Clover, Violet, Calendula; take 3-4 cups daily for 2 weeks then take 2 week break then continue as needed 

• Menopause:

• Red clover, Sage, Motherwort, Lemon balm

References

Medical Herbalism, David Hoffman 

Back to Eden, Jethro Kloss

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies C. Norman Shealy 

Making Plant Medicine Ricoh Cech