Red Clover

Eastern Deciduous Forest, Tall Grass Prairie

Red Clover 

Trifolium pratense

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 Habitat: Fields, roadsides. Throughout our area. A weed; found worldwide.

Season: May-September

Active Chemical Ingredient:The pain-relieving properties of red clover: the anti-inflammatory compounds eugenol, myricetin and salicylic acid in the flowers.
Salicylic acid:C₇H₆O₃

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Parts Used: flowers

Use of Speciemen:

• athletes foot/fungal infection (anti-fungal) (poultice)
• Treatment for burns, blisters, sores, and ulcers (syrupy extract of flowers)
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-oxidant
• As a topical aid, relieving the pain of both eczema and psoriasis, for sores, burns, and as an aid against skin cancer

Precedure:
The flower heads should be eaten raw (about a dozen daily), or dried and made into an infusion.
Infusion: steep 2 tsp. flowering tops in 1/2 cup water for 10 minutes. Take 1 to 1 1/2 cups a day, with or without honey, a mouthful at a time.
Tincture: a dose is from 5-30 drops, taken in water.
Resources: 
Foster, S., & Duke, J. (2014). A field guide to medicinal plants and herbs of eastern and central North America (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
 

DeVries, L. (n.d.). Red Clover. Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/RedClover.html

 

Red Clover General Information. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.missourisouthernseed.com/pages/custom.php?id=20415

Kilham, C. (2013, June 12). Red clover: A powerful herb with strong healing properties. Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/06/12/healing-properties-red-clover/