Surprising Health Benefits of Red Clover

Red clover has an expectorant, emollient, diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, wound healing, antitumor effect.

In the wild, red clover grows as a perennial, in culture it is grown as a biennial plant. It is a herb up to 50 cm high with a taproot and erect (ascending) stems. The leaves are trifoliate, ovate, finely serrated along the edge. Irregular flowers of pink, lilac, purple or white are collected in spherical heads.

Abundant flowering of clover meadows begins in early June and continues until the end of summer. In August, fruits ripen – ovoid beans with round or angular seeds of red-violet color.

Red clover, the use of which is common in various medicines, infusions and decoctions, contains many useful substances. The green part of the plant is saturated with essential oils, organic and amino acids, tannins, glycosides and vitamins B, C, E.

In the flowering phase in greens and flowers, the content of proteins, fats, ascorbic acid, fiber, carotene increases. After mowing the stems, the roots accumulate nitrogen in themselves and become an ideal fertilizer.

When to harvest clover for healing

Clover is used in animal husbandry, cooking, folk medicine. Extracts of essential oils and fats are used in the perfume and cosmetic industries.

To improve the body, protect against vitamin deficiency and increase immunity, vitamin salads and soups are prepared from the young leaves of the plant in the spring. Harvest them before flowering.

You can harvest leaves for the winter. To do this, they are laid out in one layer on a baking sheet and dried in the oven at a temperature of 30-50 degrees. In the future, the workpiece is used to season the first and second courses.

The plant is not used in traditional medicine, but red clover treatment is widely used by healers and in folk recipes. Flowers are used for this purpose. You can collect them throughout the entire flowering period.

Indications for use

This plant is used in the treatment of the following list of diseases:

• cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, hypertension and others);
• colds and flu (also for their prevention);
• bronchitis and pneumonia; skin diseases, including rashes in children;
• wounds and burns;
• cystitis;
• physical exhaustion after illness or stress; rheumatism;
• diarrhea and intestinal disorders;
• inflammation of the ovaries and other inflammatory processes in the female organs;
• diseases of the liver and gallbladder.

Harm and side effect of red clover

This bioactive plant should not be consumed continuously. Its long-term use due to the presence of phytohormones can disrupt the natural cycle or lead to impotence. It is best to use it as a course of treatment.

Clover should not be consumed before elective surgeries and for some time after them, as this plant thins the blood and can cause bleeding.

Contraindications

Red clover should not be used for:

• pregnancy;
• hormone-dependent tumors of any etiology;
• poor blood clotting;
• individual intolerance (rare);
• thrombophlebitis.

Infusion for external use

For external use, make a strong infusion using the following ingredients:

• three tablespoons of chopped raw materials;
• 250 ml of water.

Boil water and pour it into the prepared container with raw materials. Let stand until cool and strain.

The resulting infusion is used to wash the skin with diathesis and other rashes, psoriasis. Lotions of gauze or cotton wool are applied to wounds and burns, boils, abscesses. They can also wash inflamed eyes, gargle a sore throat or mouth.
This infusion is suitable for douching with inflammatory processes in the vagina, whites. After cooling, the product is placed in the refrigerator: there it can be stored for no more than two days.

How to make red clover tea

The simplest and most palatable reception of this medicinal plant is the use of tea.

To prepare it you will need:

• one teaspoon of dried clover heads;
• 250 ml of pure water.

Boil water and pour it into a glass with clover inflorescences, cover and leave for 20 minutes. Such tea should be drunk three times a day for colds and coughs, menopause, loss of strength. It perfectly cleans the vessels and the lymphatic system, removes toxins.

The course of application is 1.5 months. One glass of such a healing drink at night will help you fall asleep with insomnia. You can add some honey to this drink. Each time you should prepare a new tea, because it is most delicious and aromatic when fresh.