Red Clover (Trifoilum pratense)
Parts used: Flowers
Red Clover Flowers
A very attractive flower, red clover is also a great herb. Recent studies have shown that it isoflavones in red clover aid women going through menopause that also have low estrogen levels. Because the red clover’s isoflavones “compete” with the body’s natural estrogen, it is showing much promise in use for preventing and even treating breast cancer.
It is a useful herb for relaxing the nervous system and relieving tension. Native Americans used it as a treatment for burns and sore eyes. It can be mixed with water and honey as a cough syrup.
Red clover is also one of those herbs that are useful for children. Given as a tea or infusion, red clover has a mild sedative effect. It is an important herb for the treatment of “wasting” diseases such as rickets, spasmodic affections, and whooping cough. For delicate children, the infusion can be given to aid in strengthening their systems.
Applied externally, either in salves or as a poultice, red clover has shown remarkable properties in healing skin conditions. I use it in many of my own salves, like “Holy Cow! Psoriasis Rub”. It helps give the skin the nourishment it needs to help heal faster. When combined with herbs like burdock and yellow dock, it helps protect while it heals.
Vitamin content:
Vitamin A
B- complex vitamins
Vitamin C
Vitamin F
Vitamin P
Magnesium
Calcium
Copper
Aids with:
Acne, Arthritis, Appetite, Athlete’s Foot poultice, Boils, Bronchitis, Burns, Cancer, Childhood diseases, coughs, Eyewash, Flu, Leprosy, Liver problems, Nerves, Psoriasis, Rheumatism, Scrofula, Skin Disease, Sores, Spasms, Syphilis, Tumors, Ulcers, Urinary problems, Whooping cough, Wounds
