Red clover Benefits, Usage, Medicinal Properties, Nutrition, Dosage, Preparations, safety, science backed and traditional view

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) also known as Bee Bread, Cow Clover, Trefoil, Wild Clover, Purple Clover, Trebol Morado, Mu, Koniczyna czerwona.

 

A perennial, but of short duration, generally abundant on meadow land of a light sandy nature, where it produces abundant blossom, forming an excellent mowing crop. Several stems 1 to 2 feet high, arising from the one root, slightly hairy; leaves ternate, leaflets ovate, entire, nearly smooth, ending in long point often lighter coloured in centre, flowers red to purple, fragrant, in dense terminal ovoid or globular heads.

Trifolium is a genus of about 300 species in the legume family Fabaceae. The plants are small annual, biennial or short-lived perennial herbaceous plants. The leaves are trifoliate, and the stems are hairy and upright with heads of dense spikes composed of small red, purple, white or yellow flowers. The most widely cultivated clover is White Clover (Trifolium repens) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense). There are plants with four, five, six and very rarely more leaves.

Native to Europe, Central Asia, North Africa. Highest diversity is found in the Northern Hemisphere, but many species are currently naturalized in North and South America. Likes dry meadow lands, open forests, field borders, and paths.

 

Part used: Flowering tops, Flower, leaf

 

Constituents: isoflavones, Cyanogenic and Phenolic glycosides, Sitosterol, Cyanidin, Chlorophyl, hentracontane, Salicylates, Coumarins, Volatile oil (including Furfural), Sitosterols, Starch, Fatty acids, anthocyane (violanin), Prateniol, Caffeic/Silicic/Oxalic/Salicylic acid, Phytosterols (incl. trifolin, trifolianol, trifolitin), Flavonoids (including Genistein, daidzein, isorhamnetin), Resin, Tannins. Also high in Calcium, Chromium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Molybdenum, Vitamins C, E, A, B1, B2, B3, and B12

 

Flavour/temps: Bland and somewhat sweet, moist, neutral with cooling potential

Relaxing, Softening, Nourishing, Dissolving, Diluting, Astringing

 

Tropism: Lungs, Skin, Bladder, Fluids (including plasma) nerves, Hormones, cardiovascular, Prostate

 

Meridians: Large intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Lungs; Air, Fluid bodies

 

Key actions in western medicine: Alterative, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Estrogenic, Expectorant, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Detoxing,

 

Indications in western medicine: Chemical and heavy metal toxicosis (incl. drug residues); Wounds, sores, ulcers (incl. malignant, chronic, indolent); Urinary infections (esp. acute cystitis); Bladder irritation, rectal or vaginal irritation from any cause; Bronchitis, croup, whooping cough; Pain from gout, arthritis etc; Neurogenic Bladder, strangury; Rheumatism, Gout, arthritis (chronic); Spermatorrhoea, white leucorrhoea; Tumors (incl. malignant esp. ovaries, skin, breast; incl. oestrogen-induced); Urinary deposits, arteriosclerosis; Asthma, whooping cough (spasmodic); Constipation from internal dryness; Insects stings and bites; Mucus in urine; Burns, eye inflammation; Chronic Eczema, leg ulcers; Nutritional deficiencies (incl. demineralisation, anaemia); Oestrogen deficiency conditions (incl. menopausal syndrome, PMS, dysmenorrhea); Spasmodic coughing (uncontrollable; in measles, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis etc).

 

Key actions in eastern medicine: Nourishes Yin, moisten dryness and generates fluids; Promotes detoxification, dissolves deposit and resolves damp; Increases oestrogen; Promotes tissue repair, reduces pain and inflammation; descends Lung Qi, open the chest and relieves coughing and wheezing; Clears Toxic heat, stops discharge and reduces inflammation; relieve irritation and promote urination; Regulates Bladder Qi, harmonizes urination and relieve urgency; Reduces Tumors and relieve Eczema

 

Indication in eastern medicine: Yin and fluids deficiency: hot spells, dehydration, constipation, fatigue, thirst; Skin damp-heat: swelling, skin rashes, scales; Heat toxin: low fever, sores, boils, abscesses; Lung (heat-) dryness: dry throat, nose and mouth, thirst, hard dry cough; Bladder damp-heat: thirst, cloudy or dark urine, frequent, painful urination; Metabolic toxicosis with damp: joint pain and redness, skin rashes, skin eruption, urinary irritation, fatigue; Intestines (heat-)dryness: constipation, thirst, difficult bowel movement, small, dry, hard stool; Yin or blood deficiency: Eczema, leg ulcers; Bladder Qi constraint: frequent, urgent, irritated, difficult scanty urination.

 

Ground: Melancholic, krases, constitutions and biotypes

 

 

Preparation: Fresh juice, Infusion, Tincture, Infused Oil, Syrup

 

Dosage 3 times a day unless instructed otherwise by herbalist:

Fresh juice 5-10 ml

Infusion 2-5g

Tincture 1-5ml, 1:3 45% alcohol

NOTE: all preparation mentioned above except syrup, can be used topically as creams, ointments, swabs etc. for neuralgias, skin related conditions and arthritic pain.

NOTE: For severe conditions, two to four times those quantities can be safely taken.

NOTE: BPH suggest that for external use ointments should contain 10-15% flowerheads

NOTE: Enemas/Suppositories for rectal irritation, Sponges/pessaries for vaginal itching

NOTE: Red clover Syrup is great remedy with immediate effect in dry, spasmodic cough used alongside other soothing and moistening respiratory demulcents like Iceland moss, marshmallow root and liquorice.

NOTE: as major remedy for internal use, need to be taken consistently for months to achieve tumor-resolvent and detoxicant effect (incl. Cancers)

 

Synergy examples: for deep blood and body cleansing combine Red Clover with Dandelion root, Burdock root and Yellow Dock. For blood/fluids/Yin deficiency with element of toxicosis combine Red clover with burdock root, heartsease herb and/or gotu cola for skin, combine with Nettle herb, cleavers herb and/or celery seed for urinary.

 

Cautions: Phyto-oestrogenic effects of Red Clover are mild and that consequently its ability to benefit menopausal symptoms, or bone loss etc. must not be over-estimated, they are likely to be moderate at best, however there should be a caution about using it in any significant amounts whilst pregnant.

The other time I would be cautious about using is for a person who is taking blood-thinning drugs, as it may make the blood too thin. However, if there are good reasons to use it, then surely it makes more sense to have an open mind to potentially reducing the drug side of the equation rather than avoiding herb like Red Clover that may make the blood less sticky and certainly will help it be to be more clean.

Unlike a drug that carries real risks of toxicity along with making the blood too thin, such herbs are nearly always widely beneficial to the system as a whole, e.g. herbs/foods such as Garlic, Ginger etc. do not do harm by their frequent or generous intake, neither will Red Clover ever make the blood too thin by itself.

 

Contraindications: None known

 

Interactions with drugs: None known, however if using blood thinning medication along red clover, dosage of medicine should be adjusted.

 

 

Side effects: None known

 

 

History, folklore and science:

 

he name “trifolium” derives from the Latin words tres (“three”) and folium (“leaf”). Both red and white clovers have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and both can be used to purify the blood and lymph. Red clover is considered one of the richest sources of isoflavones, which are water-soluble chemicals that act like oestrogens. It is therefore high on the list for treating menopausal hot flashes, PMS, breast health, lowering cholesterol, and increasing urination and blood circulation. Still, while early studies are encouraging, it is still inconclusive if, and to what degree, red clover’s healing properties do in fact impact menopausal hot flashes, blood clotting, cardio conditions, and cancer.

Red clover is used as a flavouring in foods and beverages, even though white clover is considered to have the better flavour!

In Ancient China the plant was used as incense and burned at altars. It was considered a sacred plant by many cultures and thought to bring good luck, prosperity and health to all who wore it. In contemporary Europe, a red clover extract called Uzarin paralyzes smooth musculature. It is marketed as UZARA in drop and tablet form and is used to treat diarrhoea.

White clover (Trifolium repens) is traditionally used to purify and cleanse blood. All parts of the plant are edible: leaf, flower, stem, and seed pods. The dried leaves and flowers are slightly sweet with a mild vanilla-like flavour. They are often used fresh or dried in baked goods, salads, and teas. Considered more delicious than red clover, white clover is high in protein, minerals, and other nutrients. White clover honey is the most used table honey available.

White clover wash is used to soothe skin and as an eyewash. A tincture made from the leaves can be used to make an ointment to help treat gout.

Both red and white clovers have been used to break curses and help revitalize a person’s spirit.

Red Clover can cause sterility and liver disease in some animals if they eat too much of it. It is grown as a fodder crop and tilled for green manure.

White clover symbolizes happiness, promise, and “Think of me” or “Be mine.” Clovers in general are associated with good luck, especially a four-leaf clover. Often associated with male energy, covers are also understood to be a symbol of protection and a charm against snakes, hexes, and other forms of negative energy.

Red Clover was highly regarded in the ancient world as a cleansing medicinal herb, especially when chronic disease had set into the lungs or the skin. Russian folk healers and traditional Chinese physicians have long used Red Clover for asthma, bronchitis and to clear the lungs.

The treatment of cancer with Red Clover has a great many advocates and has been with us for a long time. Whilst there have been some very preliminary scientific studies to support the anti-cancer properties of Red Clover the evidence throughout the ages, like virtually all of our herbal lore, has been gathered through experience and observation.

King's Dispensatory write in1898; “Red clover is an excellent alterative, and one of the few remedies which favourably influences pertussis. It is also a remedy in other spasmodic coughs, as those of measles, bronchitis, laryngitis, phthisis, etc.

It is an excellent internal agent for those individuals disposed to tibial and other forms of ulcers, and it unquestionably retards the growth of carcinomata, and may be freely administered to those of a cancerous diathesis. The extract, spread on linen or soft leather, has long been said to be an excellent remedy for cancerous ulcers.

It is also highly recommended in ill conditioned ulcers of every kind, and deep, ragged-edged, and otherwise badly conditioned burns. It possesses a peculiar soothing property, proves an efficient detergent, and promotes a healthful granulation. The infusion may be used freely; a strong tincture may be prepared from the recently dried flowers.”

H Felter writes “Trifolium is alterative and antispasmodic. It relieves irritability of the respiratory tract, alleviating dry, irritable and spasmodic cough. Whooping cough is especially moderated by it, and it is frequently effective in lessening the distressing cough of measles, though in both disorders it fails as often as it succeeds. It also modifies cough in bronchitis and laryngitis. Its alterative powers are underrated, and it should be given where a general deobstruent effect is desired in chronic skin diseases, and unquestionably has a retarding effect upon malignant neoplasms. Though by no means curative in carcinoma, patients who have been operated upon for cancer are slower in redeveloping the growths when given tincture of Trifolium daily”

Finlay Ellingwood writes in the early 20th century, “it (Red Clover) is given where a cancerous diathesis (tendency) is known to be present, and its use is persisted in for months. Improvement in objective phenomena is reported from a number of excellent observers. The agent is also prescribed in irritable conditions of the larynx and air passages, especially if evidenced by spasmodic cough. It has served a good purpose in whooping cough, in the cough of measles, and in general bronchial or pulmonary irritation. A dry, irritable cough will respond most readily to its influence”

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP) describes Red Clover's actions as mildly antispasmodic & expectorant and says it is indicated for chronic skin disease & whooping cough and specifically indicated for eczema & psoriasis. The BHP suggests a dose of 4 g or by infusion and suggests a tincture dose of around 1-3ml.

Red Clover was used by Hippocrates and physicians of the Ancient World' and he describes its actions as deobstruent, antispasmodic, alterative, sedative, expectorant, with affinity for throat and salivary glands. Anti-inflammatory. Reputed anti-neoplastic for reduction of tumours and hard swellings, especially of ovaries and breast. Has a long traditional reputation for cleansing the lymphatic vessels through which cancer is believed to spread

Red Clover is a useful remedy for children with skin problems. It may be used with complete safety for any case of childhood eczema and can be effective for other chronic skin conditions as well, such as psoriasis. An alterative (blood cleansing herb) it is indicated as part of a holistic approach for a wide range of problems' Hoffmann suggests doses of 2-4ml of the 1:5 tincture in 40% ethanol or a 10–15-minute infusion of 1-3 tsp of the dried herb.

During the 19th and early 20th century Red Clover was prominently used in patent medicines for cancer and skin diseases but in the later years its reputation was widely dismissed by the medical establishment as being only anecdotal and unsupported by scientific evidence. However when Dr Jonathan Hartwell in the Journal of Natural Products demonstrated that 33 different cultures around the world use Red Clover to treat cancer researchers from the American National Cancer Institute were persuaded to do some research and found no fewer than four anti-tumour compounds within Red Clover including daidzein and genistein and the isoflavone biochanin A.

Some studies have shown that large quantities of Red Clover act like the female hormone oestrogen and in recent times Red Clover extracts have been promoted as a herb that may help hormonal imbalances such as in the menopause. This has come about because Red Clover is high in substances called ‘isoflavones’ which are thought to mimic the effect of oestrogens

Other studies shows that Extracts from Red Clover have been found to have a potent anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory actions within the body

If used patiently Red Clover can be an extraordinarily deep cleansing herb and this purifying property to the blood and lymph.

Most of Red clover functions have in common application to generative and chronic conditions, especially conditions found in kids and elderly. Red clover mild, yet deeply acting remedy.

British Herbal pharmacopeia suggest combining red clover with:

Yellow dock for chronic skin diseases; Yellow dock root, Poke root, Blue flag and Queens delight for skin disease; burdock root and yellow dock root for skin disease; Stinging nettle and Heartsease for eczema.

 

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