March 23, 2021

Red Clover

Family: Fabaceae

Genus & Species:Trifolium pratense
Common Names: Red Clover, Purple Clover, Cow Clover, Meadow Clover
Overview: Red Clover is a flowering perennial that is native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northwest Africa, but has since been planted and naturalized in many regions. It is often planted as a cover crop to fix nitrogen in the soil, and used as green manure. The flowers are used medicinally and are purplish-pink, shaggy, dense globes about an inch in diameter. The leaves are smooth and divided into three oval, finely toothed leaflets with a creme-colored chevron in the center. [1]
Therapeutic Properties: Alterative, antispasmodic, expectorant [2]
Typical Uses: Red Clover is often an ingredient in liniments and balms, for relieving the pain of both eczema and psoriasis, for sores, burns, and as an aid against skin cancer. It is also consumed as a tea and has a reputation as a “blood purifier,” with affinities to the respiratory, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Because of its concentration of the phytoestrogens daidzein and genistein, which mimic the activity of estrogen, red clover has been studied for its use in alleviating the discomfort of menopause. [3]

References:
1. Red Clover – Herb of the Month | California School of Herbal Studies

2. Red Clover Tea | Herbal Academy

3. Red Clover | Medicine Hunter

Additional References:
Red Clover | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Red Clover | Richard Whelan Medical Herbalist