Red Clover

Red Clover, like dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), is a world citizen found as a field plant worldwide. Traditionally red clover is known as an alterative (blood cleanser) and lymphatic tonic, helpful in clearing skin conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, benign cysts of the breast and premenstrual breast tenderness. It can also be used as an eyewash for conjunctivitis. Add 5 to 10 drops of the liquid extract to an eye bath full of cooled boiled water. This wonderful cleansing herb is also well known as an antispasmodic and expectorant useful for those suffering from bronchial ailments or spasmodic coughs, such as whooping cough, and viral coughs like those of measles.  

With a small, but pretty, purplish (red) flower this leguminous plant is a favourite of old school herbalists. Our very own founder, pioneer of herbal medicine in Australia, Lyndsay Shume, says himself: “I think it's special. It’s a fantastic healer and a beautiful blood purifier. I’ve got the belief that if you can make your blood perfect then you’re probably perfect…We’ve (traditional herbalists) always said things are fixed through the blood. That’s what we believe.” Grandmother of Australian herbalism, the late Dorothy Hall, says “The ‘Red clover’ person may also have deep-seated infection foci like boils, carbuncles, infected sebaceous cysts, infected cystic acne, etc., where the evidence of the ‘bad blood’ is found just under the skin.” One of the most beloved herbalists of our time, the late Juliette de Bairacli Levy, says “often called “the prize herb,” …[it is] especially good for cleansing the blood, soothing the nerves, promoting sleep and restoring fertility.”  

In more recent years red clover has become a widely researched herb for menopausal health due to the presence of phytoestrogens. A recent meta-analysis found that red clover can alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and vaginal dryness. English clinical herbalist Lucy Jones says: “I do wonder whether a large part of its action [for menopausal symptoms] is through its ability to help clean the blood and support the lymphatic system rather than just manipulate levels of oestrogen, or the appearance of oestrogen, in the body.” 

References

Hall D. Dorothy Hall’s Herbal Medicine. Sydney:Lothian. 1988. p. 254

Jones L. A Working Herbal Dispensary. Aeon Books:Glasgow. 2023. p303-4

Hall D. Dorothy Hall’s Herbal Medicine. Sydney:Lothian. 1988. p. 254-5

de Bairacli Levy J. Common Herbs for Natural Health. Ash Tree Publishing:New York. 1997. p. 43

Kanadys W, Barańska A, Błaszczuk A, et al. Evaluation of Clinical Meaningfulness of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Extract to Relieve Hot Flushes and Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1258. Published 2021 Apr 11. doi:10.3390/nu13041258

Jones L. A Working Herbal Dispensary. Aeon Books:Glasgow. 2023. p303-4

Gościniak A, Szulc P, Zielewicz W, Walkowiak J, Cielecka-Piontek J. Multidirectional Effects of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in Support of Menopause Therapy. Molecules. 2023 Jul 3;28(13):5178. doi: 10.3390/molecules28135178. PMID: 37446841; PMCID: PMC10343205.