How to use Red Clover herb

Red clover is one of my favorite herbs to use. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is often thought to be a weed since it has the tendency to show up in unkempt areas like roadsides and empty lots. Since it tends to grow wild, it's easy for me to find on my foraging walks. It is a perennial plant and is a member of the legume family. It's often used as a cover crop or grazing crop and helps to improve the soil.
Truth is, red clover has a ton of wonderful health uses! 

Red clover is high in many vitamins and minerals and it has a long history of uses in herbal healthcare. Also, the flowers are edible and make a lovely garnish for desserts.

Red clover is one of the first herbs I tried when I started using herbs back in the early 90s. I had read in a little booklet called Historical Uses of Herbs that it was good for strengthening the ovaries and for stress. I had both of these problems so I started drinking red clover tea daily and the problems sorted themselves out in about a month.

After that I was hooked! I read everything that little booklet said and tried every herb I thought I needed. Over the years I've used many herbs but my love affair with red clover has never waned.

Now I'm lucky enough to find red clover growing wild and no longer have to buy the tea or look for a bulk herb shop. I gather the flowers fresh from spring till fall and dry them in my dehydrator or even in my car! I can usually collect enough to last all year by visiting the same spots a few times. 

Red clover blooms continuously throughout the season so it will replenish itself.

How to harvest and dry red clover

To harvest red clover simply snip the flower buds off above the first set of leaves. I spread the red clover flower heads on a tray and set my dehydrator at 95° and let them dry for a few hours. They're dry once they feel crispy. 

Here's how I store my herbs using glass Mason jars. They will keep for at least a year before the quality starts to deteriorate.

Red clover is obviously edible. Many people like to break apart the fresh flowers and use the individual florets as garnish on desserts and in drinks. The blooms tend to be sweeter in the spring then in the fall, so if this is your intention plan accordingly.

Health benefits of red clover

Here are some of the many amazing properties of red clover.

• Red clover constituents are thought to stimulate the immune system.
• Helps to reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, breast tenderness and night sweats. 
• Often used to reduce symptoms of PMS associated with menstruation.
• Relaxes nerves and may provide mild relief from stress and anxiety.
• High in calcium, magnesium, niacin and vitamin C.
• Can help improve arterial health and boost circulation.
• It's been used for coughs and respiratory congestion.
• Contains isoflavones which can increase 'good' cholesterol and keep blood clots from forming.
• Can be used topically for skin irritation. I use it in my sunburn bath tea recipe.
• May help prevent osteoporosis.

Related reading: Here's some what WebMD has to say about red clover.

To use red clover, I make a tea by steeping 2 of the dried blooms in a cup of just boiling water for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink. I drink 2 cups a day when I'm using it for health reasons. 

You could also buy red clover herb capsules but you've probably read why I don't trust herbal supplements, so of course I'm going to recommend buying the tea or whole dried herb, foraging or growing your own.

If you decide to forage for red clover, make sure you don't forage on a busy roadway where exhaust fumes may have contaminated the plant life or pesticide/herbicide may have been sprayed. I prefer less traveled back roads, nature trails and state game lands (out of hunting season of course!)

A note of warning: Red clover contains a blood thinning substance called coumarin. For this reason it should not be used by persons who are on blood thinning medications. Should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

For more info on Red clover including links to medical studies...click here.

Want more posts on taking care of your health naturally? Click here for my other posts on using herbs!

~L

Want gardening and healthy living information sent right to your email weekly? Click right here to join my list and get new posts sent directly to you the day they're published!

I am not a doctor or other health care professional nor do I claim to be. I am simply passing on information that has worked for me. This information is not medical advice and is for entertainment purposes only. Please see a Dr if you are ill. Click for my full disclaimer.

(This post contains affiliate links. If you chose to purchase something through the link, I will get a small payment from Amazon. It will not affect your purchase price. Click for full disclosure.)