Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red Clover is growing everywhere right now! It is definitely a herb that you should get to know because of its abundance and because of its amazing medicinal & nutritional properties.

It is rich in many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin A, C, E, K &
B-12. It has been used for fertility, eczema, coughs, and as an anti-inflammatory.

Red clover is world renowned as an anti-cancer herb. It is used by 33 different cultures as an aid against cancer. It is one ingredient in the famed Essiac Tea, and scientific studies have found 4 antitumor compounds in this miraculous plant. Besides being a strong ally for those dancing with cancer, red clover is a strong alterative, loosely defined as altering towards health.

Rich in phytosterols, red clover nourishes hormones, making it an excellent choice for women going through menopause as well as those wishing to increase their fertility.

The infusion can also be used externally (as well as internally) to nourish the skin, eliminating eczema and psoriasis.

Special Considerations: Although safe to use for many people, red clover’s ability to thin the blood makes it a poor choice for pregnancy and for those already on blood thinners. Regular use of this plant should also be stopped before surgery.

I like to drink a nourishing herbal infusion of red clover once a week. To prepare this I take a quart mason jar, weigh out one ounce of dried red clover, put it in the jar, fill it to the top with boiling water, screw on the lid and let it sit overnight. In the morning, I strain out the plant material, put it in the compost and then enjoy my infusion. The vitamins and minerals are water soluble so I am getting lots of nourishment in each sip.

Other ways you can use red clover include flower essence, infusions, oil, poultice, salve, tea, & tincture.

Red Clover Lemonade

3 cups red clover blooms
4 cups water
1 1/4 cups lemon juice
1. 4 Tbsp honey

Boil blossoms and water for 5-7 mins. Strain petals from the water and add lemon juice and honey. Stir and chill 1-2 hours. to serve, pour over ice. Enjoy!

Red Clover Salad

2 cups rice 3 Tbsp olive oil
6 Tbsp lemon juice 1½ tsp salt
6 scallions, minced 1 cup nuts
1 cup chopped dried fruit (try raisins, craisins, dates, or apricots)
2 cups Red Clover flowers, plucked out of the flowerheads.

Cook rice in 6 cups of water until done. Do not stir while cooking or cooling. Let cool completely before mixing salad to avoid rice becoming sticky or gummy.
Add all the above ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill and serve, or serve at room temperature.

 

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