Red clover grows in undisturbed areas like mountain meadows or roadsides and on river or stream banks. It is delicate, so when you harvest it, handle it gently to preserve its medicinal and nutritional benefits. Red clover is used in cooking and the home pharmacy.

Personal Story

I have seen red clover on our hikes in the Rocky Mountains. The blossoms were a beautiful shade of purple. I have never harvested the herb, but there are numerous indications for it.

Culinary Uses

Traditional culinary uses include adding it to the cooking pot for:

• Dried beans
• Oatmeal
• Rice
• Salads
• Soups
• Stews

They provide a rich source of nutrition to the dishes.

Red Clover Home Pharmacy Uses

Traditional medicinal uses include:

• Remedy for childhood or adult eczema or psoriasis
• An expectorant and antispasmodic for coughs and bronchitis, whooping cough, salivary glands, congestion, spasmodic or croupy cough, pharyngeal inflammation, and chronic skin eruptions.
• As an alterative, it is an herb that gradually restores the proper function of the body and increases health and vitality.
• Female hormones are supported by red clover. It has phytoestrogens, which exert a weak estrogenic effect due to their capability to bind estrogen receptors. This is of particular significance for women in relieving the symptoms of menopause and providing safeguards against osteoporosis by helping to keep bone density. Women are at risk for developing osteoporosis during menopause because estrogen in necessary for bone mineralization. Pre-menopausal women who have low bone density or low estrogen levels might benefit from red clover supplements. Herbs for osteoporosis have not been evaluated for clinical efficacy, but they appear to be harmless and worth trying. The phytoestrogen compounds have also shown ability in studies for their defending effects against cancer of the breast. 
• Red clover in the diet raises hemoglobin levels and may help in correcting anemia, which is a nutritional deficiency.
• Matthew Wood describes red clover as a nutritive tonic. It soothes irritated and dry tissues. He mentions it has kinship with the glands in the body to aid lymphatic congestion and problems with glands. 
• Red clover can be used in cider vinegar tinctures, creams, elixirs, honey, infusions, ointments, salves, syrups, and traditional tinctures.

Red Clover Herbal Safety

Red clover, Trifolium pretense, is a Class 2b herb, meaning it is not to be used during pregnancy. It also may potentiate the effects of anticoagulant drugs because it may slow down blood clotting.

Action

If any of the nutritional or medicinal benefits are of interest to you, and you do not have any conditions which would prohibit using it, please consider red clover for body support.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. What experience do you have using red clover?