Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
July 26th, 2007Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a species of clover, native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa.
Description:It is a herbaceous perennial plant, very variable in size, growing to 20-80 cm tall. The leaves are trifoliate (with three leaflets), each leaflet 15-30 mm long and 8-15 mm broad, green with a characteristic pale crescent in the outer half of the leaf; the petiole is 1-4 cm long, with two basal stipules. The flowers are dark pink with a paler base, 12-15 mm long, produced in a dense inflorescence 2-3 cm diameter.
The plant was named Trifolium pratense by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753. Pratense is Latin for “found in meadows”.
Cultivation:Red Clover thrives in almost any climate and in many regions throughout the world. It grows very quickly and may be harvested for up to three times per summer. It if often found growing in wild meadows and grass lands of America, Asia, Europe and Australia. The white clover, a relative to the red clover, grows in similar regions. Both have white arrowhead-shaped patterns on their leaves. The flowers of the red clover are used to create herbal medicines.
Uses:Although it is native to Europe, it has become naturalized in North America and can be found throughout central and northern Asia, from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle. It is also known as cow clover, meadow clover, purple clover, wild clover and trifolium.
It is widely grown as a fodder crop, valued for its nitrogen fixation which increases soil fertility. Several Cultivar Groups have been selected for agricultural use, mostly derived from var. sativum. It has become naturalised in many temperate areas, including the Americas and Australasia as an escape from cultivation.
Closeup of a red cloverThe isoflavones and phytoestrogens from Red Clover have been used to treat the symptoms of menopause. Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding should avoid ingesting Red Clover. It has also been reported that red clover can be used for therapeutic purposes for coughs, bronchitis, eczema, sores, scrofula and can be gargled for mouth ulcers and sore throats.
With its high nitrogen content, red clover has the ability to replace the nitrogen deficient soils from alternating crops for a year or two. As a wild plant, red clover is used for grazing cattle and other livestock
It is the national flower of Denmark and the state flower of Vermont. It is an ingredient of the smoking mixture sold as Spice. It is also an ingredient in eight-herb essiac tea.
Medicinal Uses:
Red clover’s properties include Alterative, antiementic, antispasmodic, antitussive, discutients (removes or dissolves growths), diuretic,expectorant, nutritive, sedative and stimulant. Red clover has been traditionally used for Constipation, Stimulates liver and gallbladder activity, skin problems: burns, eczema psoriasis, athlete’s foot, cancer and tumors, coughs and bronchial conditions and sore eyes .
The flowering top of red clover has been popular in European folk medicine for centuries. It contains copious amounts of important nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, as well as having impressive health promoting activities.
Red clover has many benefits for digestion and is commonly used for constipation and sluggish appetite. Red clover tea stimulates liver and gall bladder activity to aid in digestion.
It is widely used as an antitussive for treating inflammation and other conditions in the lungs, including asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough. Gargling with the tea is helpful for sore throats, swellings and infections.
Red clover is an excellent blood purifier and is considered an alterative, which helps tone the entire system. It may be helpful for chronic degenerative diseases due to its blood thinning coumarins. Several tests indicate it has antibiotic effects against several bacteria including those of tuberculosis. An estrogenic compound, genistein, in the flower, may block off estrogen receptors, thwarting tumor development. This estrogen blocking ability may be significant in its usage in alternative cancer treatments.
Externally, red clover is useful for many conditions. A fomentation or compress of red clover has been used for rheumatic pains. Extracts of red clover can be used topically for persistent sores. Other skin problems, including athlete’s foot and burns may do well with a poultice of red clover. Taking red clover internally also helps with skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Red clover has been instrumental in restoring health throughout the ages and all over the world. If you look out your own back door, you may see an abundance of it. This seemingly innocent-looking, small flower holds a multitude of healing properties in its delicate petals.
As a medicine, red clover has been used in connection with cancer, mastitis, joint disorders, asthma, bronchitis, spasmodic coughs, jaundice, and skin inflammations such as psoriasis and eczema. It increases urine and mucous production, improves circulation, and stimulates the secretion of bile. Red clover may help relieve symptoms of menopause like hot flashes. It can also help with cardiovascular health and bone loss associated with osteoporosis.
Recommended Dosage
As a tea use 1 to 2 tsp dried flowers or tops steeped in 8oz of hot water for ½ hour, 2 to 3 times a day.
Take 2 to 6 capsules of 500mg per day
Tincture 1:5 30% alcohol- take 60 to 100 drops (3 to 5 ml) three times a day.
Extract 1:1 take 1 ml three times per day
Isoflavone extracts: take as directed on the package
Topically use ointment with10 or 15% flowerhead, extract or infusion.
Red Clover Blend Formula is a cleanser, detoxifier, and tonic for the blood, liver, lymphatic system, kidneys, skin, and metabolic waste
RED CLOVER contains one of the best mucus clearing sources in nature. An excellent blood purifier and cleanser of the system, especially the tops of the plant, which are used in this formula have a great reputation throughout the world as an anti-cancer herb and has been used to treat and help prevent cancer, and as a diuretic to treat gout. Red Clover’s antibiotic properties have been used for many types of bacterial skin diseases, and a remedy for wasting type diseases. The first cancer clinic in Mexico, founded by Dr. Hoxsey used Red Clover tops in his treatment. Red Clover helps the liver and gall bladder by its stimulating action.
Red clover contains hormone-mimicking chemicals.
Red clover may combat hot flushes
Click to buy Herbal Products Containing: Red Clover
Resources:
http://www.kroegerherb.com/h_rdclvr.html
http://www.nutrasanus.com/red-clover.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_clover
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