Who in our modern world would imagine that a small, unassuming yet prolific, three leaved plant - commonly referred to as a weed – would have any medicinal value? Ironically, although its medicinal qualities have been largely forgotten, most people, in so many different parts of the world are familiar with this legume family member since it springs up in ditches, road medians, highway hillsides, and people’s lawns.
Many herb enthusiasts are initially surprised, and subsequently delighted to hear that such a common plant is medicinal – and even more so when they start to realize that albeit a small plant, the depth of it’s medicine is impressive!
Red clover is mildly sweet, mucilaginous, “green” & cooling with an undertone of mineral richness, which becomes more apparent if you prepare a decoction with it. Red Clover has a long primary tap root reaching 3-5 feet into the ground and lateral roots that spread width-wise allowing it to uptake vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, silica and others. Red Clover also nourishes the land through its lateral root system, which forms nodules that enrich the surrounding soil. Red Clover’s nutritive qualities make it great medicine when incorporated into formulas to support bone health, postpartum & lactation, debility and malnutrition.
With an affinity for the lymphatic system and its alterative action, Red Clover can be useful in a variety of conditions where stagnation of the lymphatic system is experienced. Acting as the ‘metabolic waste highway’ of the body, the lymphatic system helps to maintain our tissues, and the extracellular matrix in favourable conditions. Red Clover’s ability to provide nutritive building blocks, whilst assisting in the removal of metabolic waste is a perfect example of the holistic approach that many herbal medicines are capable of.
Acting as a demulcent within, Red Clover simultaneously acts as an emollient when applied topically, and has been traditionally used in creams, salves, poultices & medicinal baths.
If you’re not familiar with Red Clover, I encourage you to get out there and get to know her. If you want to dive deeper, and join a discussion on the medicinal qualities of Red Clover, download our Seasonal Herbalist Cards and join us for Q&A, every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:30 CT on our social media channels.
May the weeds be with you!
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