Trifolium pratense (Red Clover)

Question 1

How do you recognise Red Clover?

Answer 1

• A perennial herbaceous plant with alternate trifoliate leaves & dense heads of small red flowers.
• The leaflets each have a white “v” or crescent marking which differentiates the plant from other clovers with red flowers.
• Native to Europe, N. Africa & W. Asia. Occurs wild in grassland in the UK & is also frequently planted as a nitrogen fixer & fodder crop.
• Important source of nectar for pollinating insects.

Question 2

What are Red Clover ‘s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Flavonoids - kaempferol & quercitin
* Isoflavonoids: fomonomentin, biochanin, genistein, daidzein & more.
* Phenolic acids.
* Procyanins.
* Essential oil including β-myrcene, p-cymene, limonene.
* Sitosterol.
* Coumarins.

Question 3

What family is Red Clover?

Answer 3

Family: Fabaceae

Question 4

What is Red Clover good for?

Answer 4

Summary: An apparently lymphatic tonic apparently similar to Cleavers, but Bendle uses it as a cooling, anti inflammatory herb for skin. Also for coughs/ expectorant. These days most research into its endocrine effects/ menopausal women - reduce hot sweats, increase bone density. Bendle a bit dubious as research is with extracts.

Actions:
* Alterative (Lymphatic?).
* Expectorant.
* Possibly mild antispasmodic.
* Endocrine agent affecting oestrogen levels..

Applications:
Traditionally used for:
* Eczema – particularly in children.
* Psoriasis.
* Coughs including bronchitis & whooping cough..
* Skin & other cancers.

Modern uses:
* As a source of phytoestrogens to
* Relieve menopausal symptoms.
* Improve condition of vaginal mucosa.
* Increase bone density.
* Possibly to treat prostatic cancer

Question 5

What is Red Clover ‘s Latin name?

Answer 5

Trifolium pratense

Question 6

What parts of Red Clover do you use?

Answer 6

Parts used: traditionally flowers, but commercial extracts use whole plant

Question 7

What safety issues might Red Clover have?

Answer 7

Safety in women with oestrogen-dependent cancers still being
debated.

Question 8

What useful research does Red Clover have?

Answer 8

Soy, Red Clover, and Isoflavones and Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review – says more about soy than clover, but suggests that plant isoflavones have an amphoteric effect upon oestrogen levels and suggests that cancer risks are low.

The concentration of isoflavones in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) at flowering stage – shows that levels of isoflavones highest at flowering time but that the flowers contain lower amounts than leaves and stem.

Not much research for traditional use for skin etc.

Question 9

What remedies might you use Red Clover in?

Answer 9

Dose: 10 – 50ml/week of 1:3 tincture

Bendle does make ‘clover treacle’ - pick a bag, chuck in saucepan with water, cook and reduce until thick (a few tablespoons). Bendle has used for skin cancer.

Bendle uses mainly in really simple teas and tictures for skin complaints like excema, usually with chamomile, rose, chickweed - often with children. Bendle gave 35 Trifolium, 20 Nettle, 20 chamomile, Liquorice 15, and Bittersweet 10 for an 11 year old girl with stress and excema.