Red clover: medicinal properties and contraindications, composition, drugs in the pharmacy

Red clover (meadow, honey, trinity, woodpecker, redhead, red porridge, woodpecker, stableweed) is a herbaceous perennial plant from the legume family. The benefits and harms of the plant have long been studied, so clover is widely used in folk medicine as an antiseptic, antifungal, astringent, wound-healing, expectorant and analgesic, has many beneficial properties and is even eaten.

It is unpretentious to growing conditions and is found almost everywhere throughout Europe, North Africa, Central and Western Asia. In Russia, it is most common in the European part of the country, in Siberia, Kamchatka and the Far East. Clover is sensitive to the influence of anthropogenic factors: under unfavorable conditions it dies and recovers poorly. Grows in dry and moderately wet meadows, clearings, forest edges, in thickets of bushes, along the edges of roads.

It is a valuable honey plant, but only species of bees with long proboscis can obtain nectar, so productivity is no more than 6 kg of honey per hectare of crops. This honey is considered the best in quality and medicinal value; it does not become candied for a long time and retains its properties.

The plant has feed value for farm animals and is planted for decorative purposes. Used as soil fertilizer. It is also used for food purposes: young shoots and leaves are eaten as an additive to salad, and cabbage soup is prepared from them. In the Caucasus, young inflorescences are fermented for the winter. The essential oil of the plant is used in perfumery and cosmetology.

Is red clover listed in the Red Book: photo of the plant

In Russia, clover grows in meadows and forest edges. And in neighboring Ukraine, it is listed in the Red Book. This plant can reach 30 cm in height. Clover's stem is thin and straight. The original leaves of the plant consist of three fused obovate leaflets. They have white tick marks. This is one of the differences between this type of clover and medium clover.

Photo of the plant

The plant blooms in spherical inflorescences with a wrapper. The flowering of this plant begins in late spring and ends in September. In addition to being used for medicinal purposes, clover flowers and leaves are also used as cattle feed. For this purpose, clover is grown on an industrial scale. This plant produces very tasty honey.

Some interesting things about red clover

For many years, shamrock has had a reputation as a magical herb. There are many legends about him. A flower is a symbol of fabulous luck if the leaf has four petals. Each of the four petals symbolizes fame, love, health, and wealth. According to legend, whoever encounters a four-leaf clover will subsequently gain extraordinary luck. In addition, the lucky one will bring good luck and happiness to loved ones, as well as those whom he meets in life.

The three-leaf clover was used as a talisman and amulet, and the two-leaf clover foreshadowed a quick meeting with a lover. If a couple in love ate a four-leaf clover for two, then their relationship grew stronger, and their love became stronger and more passionate.

Red clover: beneficial and medicinal properties and contraindications

Of the 250 types of clover, red clover has the most benefits. This perennial plant contains:

Benefits of the plant

Products based on red clover have antimycotic, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects. Konyushina (another name for clover) can be used to prepare remedies for high temperatures. Based on this plant, preparations are made that have expectorant, astringent and anti-sclerotic properties.

Red clover in folk medicine is used as a basis for antitumor and decongestant drugs. The benefits of this plant for suppressing allergic reactions in the body have also been noted.

The beneficial properties of this plant are used in treatment:

• Diseases of the cardiovascular system
• Vitamin deficiency and problems with the immune system
• Colds. In particular - bronchitis
• Diarrhea
• Kidney problems
• Burns from high and low temperatures
• Ulcers and abscesses
• Eye fatigue from frequent exposure to a computer monitor

Pharmacological drugs

You can buy the following red clover preparations at the pharmacy: drops, capsules, extract and dry raw materials.

• Drops, 50 ml. Recommended for strengthening and cleansing blood vessels, reducing blood cholesterol levels, preventing atherosclerosis and hypertension. Price – 110 rub.
• Capsules, 60 pcs. They are used for respiratory diseases, anemia, polyarthritis, hormonal disorders in women, for the complex treatment of atherosclerosis, as well as for the treatment of skin diseases: eczema, psoriasis, furunculosis, burns and trophic ulcers. Price – 900 rub.
• Red clover extract tablets 500 mg, 50 pcs. Recommended as a food supplement to maintain women's health, strengthen the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems during menopause. Price – 2200 rub.
• Extract on wax, 100 gr. Indicated for external use for burns, abscesses, eczema, allergic rashes, swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes. Price – 500 rub.
• Dry raw materials (grass and flowers), 50 gr. Recommended for colds, bronchial asthma, whooping cough, cough, chest pain, pulmonary tuberculosis, anemia. It is used for headaches and dizziness, insomnia, angina pectoris, hypertension, edema of various origins, and inflammatory diseases of the rectum and vagina. Externally used for wounds, abscesses, burns, scrofula, festering ulcers, and eye inflammation. Price – 20-80 rub.

Does red clover thicken or thin the blood?

Although thick blood is not a disease, it can cause many pathologies. Therefore, such blood must be periodically thinned. This can be done with the help of special preparations or medicinal herbs. For example, clover.

To prepare an infusion based on this plant to thin the blood you need:

• Dried red clover heads (3 tablespoons) pour boiling water (1 liter)
• It is necessary to infuse this product until the liquid cools completely.
• Then you need to strain the infusion and drink it throughout the day.

But red clover is an amazing plant. If it is applied externally, bleeding can be stopped. This is achieved due to the large amount of tannins concentrated in its composition. In addition to healing wounds, clover tannins can be used to combat diarrhea.

Chemical composition

The main components of the plant determine its medicinal properties and effects on the human body. Red clover contains the following chemical compounds:

• Phytosterols.
• Flavonoids (quercetin, pratoletin, kaempferol).
• Fatty acids (mostly in seeds).
• Essential oils that have a strong antimicrobial effect, thanks to the methyl coumarin and furfural contained in them.
• Organic acids (ketoglutaric, p-coumaric and salicylic).
• Essential amino acids.
• Glycosides (isotrifolin and trifolin).
• Alkaloids.
• Cellulose.
• Tannins.
• Resins.
• Proteins and fats.
• Water- and fat-soluble vitamins E, A, P, K, C, B1 and B2.
• Microelements (calcium in the form of salts and phosphorus).

The use of red clover in folk medicine

Doctors of the ancient world successfully used drugs based on this plant to treat many ailments. In Rus' it was valued due to its large amount of isoflavones. They are essentially a plant analogue of the female hormones estrogen.

Of course, our ancestors did not know about the chemical composition of clover, but they knew about its beneficial properties for women.

Later, the beneficial properties of this plant to fight cancer were discovered. Due to the presence of phytoestrogen, red clover is the strongest anti-cancer drug for women. Products based on this plant are especially useful for the prevention of cancer of the reproductive system.

Also in folk medicine, this plant is used to treat negative symptoms of menopause. Especially such as hot flashes.

But, red clover is useful not only for women, but also for men. With the help of this universal drink, you can improve male strength and prolong female youth. This drink is prepared as follows:

Universal drink made from clover

You need to drink this drink 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day.

Red clover can also help in the fight against insomnia. For this purpose, prepare tea:

1. Take equal parts of clover and fireweed flowers
2. The mixture (1 teaspoon) is poured with boiling water (1 glass)

You should drink this tea in the evening before going to bed. To enhance the effect, it is advisable to replace coffee and other tonic drinks with this tea. The course of treatment is 1 month.

The legendary fortuneteller Vanga used clover to treat leg pain. To do this she:

1. Mixed the stem, leaves and flowers of white and red clover in equal quantities
2. Pour boiling water over it and cook it in an enamel bowl
3. You need to add a small amount of kerosene to this decoction and soar your feet in this solution.

This treatment can be continued until the pain subsides.

Lotions with clover infusion are very effective against abscesses and burns. To prepare it you need:

1. Pour boiling water (1 glass) over dry clover (2 tablespoons) and let it brew
2. Soak gauze swabs in the finished product and apply them to the affected areas

From clover you can prepare a special ointment to fight tumors and various skin lesions (including cancer-related ones). To prepare this ointment you need:

1. Grind dried clover into powder
2. Mix the resulting powder (50 g) with Vaseline to form an ointment.

This product should be gently rubbed into the affected areas every day until the skin is completely restored.

Recipes

Vodka infusion

An infusion of clover with vodka is prepared from environmentally friendly raw materials from the petals of flower inflorescences. A well-washed 2-liter jar is filled halfway very tightly with raw materials and 1 liter of vodka is poured. The jar is sealed and transferred to a dark place at room temperature. Shake the contents of the jar periodically. After 15 days, the contents of the jar are squeezed out through several layers of gauze. The liquid is poured into a dark bottle and stored closed in a cool place.

Tea

Clover tea should steep for at least 15 minutes. You can drink it with natural honey. To prepare, use 5 dry inflorescences, which are poured with a glass of boiling water and kept in a teapot under a lid.

Flower extract

Clover flower extract is prepared by extracting biologically active substances from fresh raw materials. The distillation method is used. At home, in the absence of a special device, use a tall saucepan. Inflorescences are placed in it, they are filled with water 2-3 cm above the flowers. A stand in the form of a jar of water is placed in the middle of the pan. A bowl is tightly placed on the supply into which the extract will be dripped in the form of condensate. Seal the pan with a lid and cover the cracks with bread crumb. The dishes are placed on low heat. The lid must be cooled periodically. The duration of the process depends on the amount of raw materials and the volume of the dishes.

Red clover tincture: indications for use, instructions

One of the most versatile red clover-based remedies is the tincture. It can be used to treat boils, abscesses, conjunctivitis, trophic ulcers, burns and cuts. This remedy is used for gynecological diseases and to relieve premenstrual syndrome.

For rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis and osteoporosis, red clover tincture is used to alleviate the suffering of the patient. This remedy can reduce pain and speed up recovery from fractures and sprains.

Due to the diuretic and antibacterial properties of this tincture, it is used to treat cystitis and urethritis. This remedy can help with flatulence and atonic constipation.

Possessing a large amount of vitamins, red clover tincture can be used as a general tonic. With its help you can cope with chronic fatigue and improve performance. For bronchitis, laryngitis and bronchial asthma, the expectorant properties of this tincture are used.

There are several recipes for red clover tincture. Vodka or alcohol reveals the beneficial properties of this plant most effectively. The traditional recipe for this remedy is simple:

1. Dried clover flowers (4 tablespoons) need to be filled with vodka (500 ml)
2. You need to infuse the product for about 10 days, shaking the container periodically
3. After which, the tincture must be filtered and poured into a storage container.

Use this tincture in the form of drops of 30 pcs. half an hour before meals three times a day.

You can also prepare the tincture according to an alternative recipe:

1. Clover flowers (200 g) should be collected at the moment of maximum flowering of this plant
2. We wash them, fill them with boiling water (1 liter) and boil them in a water bath for 10 minutes.
3. Leave for 3 hours and strain the product

You need to use this tincture four times a day, 250 ml. You can add a little sugar, honey or milk for taste. With the help of this tincture you can restore the body's strength during the autumn-winter season.

You should avoid taking red clover tincture if:

Tincture contraindications

Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not use alcohol tincture of red clover.

What diseases does clover treat?

Traditional medicine recommends using the flower for:

• therapy for colds, cough, bronchitis, asthma and tuberculosis;
• treatment of cardiovascular diseases;
• lowering cholesterol levels and cleansing the body of toxins;
• treatment of diseased joints - the flower helps with osteoporosis, arthritis, rheumatism;
• normalization of digestion - in small quantities, clover will not harm gastritis.

Clover is also very useful for the blood vessels of the brain - its properties prevent the development of Parkinson's disease.

How should women take red clover during menopause?

Menopause is a period of aging of the female body. At this moment, its restructuring occurs. The internal hormonal background of a woman and her figure changes. Symptoms of such changes are:

• Changes in mood
• Hot flashes
• Sweating
• Sleep disorders
• Apathy

In order to cope with such changes in the physical and psycho-emotional plane, you can use red clover. The benefits of this plant during menopause have been scientifically proven. Clover phytocompounds can normalize hormonal levels and reduce the number and consequences of bycatch.

In addition, as recent studies show, during menopause, every second woman is susceptible to bone loss. Red clover can help here too. Compounds from this plant can stop this process and improve the general condition of the body.

Red clover tea helps to cope with the consequences of menopause. It is very easy to prepare:

Clover tea

Also, in order to cope with the consequences of the restructuring of the female body during aging, it is necessary to eat fresh clover leaves. For example, add them to green salads or soups. Clover leaves can be used as a seasoning for fish.

Features of use in women, men, children

For women. It is recommended to use the decoction for vaginal douching and orally to relieve pain during menstruation. Clinical studies have determined that clover decoction helps adjust hormonal levels during menopause, and can be an effective replacement for hormone replacement therapy. Women who took a decoction of red clover noted a decrease in the strength and frequency of hot flashes, stabilization of mood and other menopausal-specific symptoms.

For men. Red clover is a natural aphrodisiac of plant origin, which effectively increases sexual activity in males (seed tincture is used).

For children. To improve appetite and prevent viral diseases, it is recommended to use tea, which also helps improve digestion and cope with colic and abdominal cramps. When used externally, it is effective for combating exudative diathesis in the form of baths with decoction and rinse after hygiene procedures. Children are strictly prohibited from taking alcohol tinctures.

How to take red clover for hypertension?

Tea brewed with red clover is very effective against high blood pressure. To do this, you need to collect the plant during its flowering period and dry it. The tea is prepared in the following way:

1. Dry grass (1 tablespoon) is poured with boiling water (1 glass)
2. Infuse the mixture for 20 minutes in a thermos

You need to drink this tea throughout the day in small portions. This remedy can not only restore blood pressure, but also improve heart function. In addition, red clover tea will help you survive stress and physical overload.

Use for ARVI, colds and flu

When you have a cold, clover promotes rapid recovery due to the following properties:

• Anti-inflammatory.
• Antiseptic.
• Immunostimulating.
• Expectorant.
• General strengthening.

The unique composition of the plant explains its miraculous properties against a number of bacterial and viral infections. The product quickly eliminates the clinical manifestations of the disease (fever, cough, runny nose, headaches, etc.), helps strengthen local and systemic immunity and prevents the development of serious complications.

How to take red clover for cholesterol

Red clover-based products help well in the fight against cholesterol and other harmful compounds in the blood vessels of the body. For this purpose, you can use a tincture on this plant. It will not only break down bad cholesterol compounds and speed up their elimination, but also strengthen the walls of blood vessels.

This tea is also very good in the fight against cholesterol. To prepare it you need:

Anti-cholesterol tea

You need to drink 1 cup of this tea three times a day. In addition to removing harmful cholesterol from the body, red clover tea can be used to combat colds.

Collection and storage

be harvested in early summer and before early fall (during the flowering period).
The best time of day to collect is in the morning, just when the dew has disappeared. The plant should be cut together with its leaves using your hands or a knife, carefully placing it in a basket. It is recommended not to collect clover near roadways and hazardous enterprises. Next, the flowers need to be sorted from excess debris and damaged flowers. dried in the shade on a dry surface, placing the plants in one layer, avoiding direct sunlight. Place the plants in a tightly closed opaque glass jar. The room should be periodically ventilated at room temperature. Red clover roots can be dried as usual. Red clover should not be overdried, as it will lose all its healing properties.

The shelf life of clover cones in a closed container is about 2 years, and leaves - 1 year.

Cleansing blood vessels with red clover: recipe for use

Contamination of blood vessels is associated not only with improper cholesterol metabolism, but also with poor condition of vessel walls and blood clotting disorders. Using red clover-based products, you can improve your blood condition and cleanse your blood vessels.

You can clean the vessels with the following means:

1. Dried clover flowers (4 tablespoons) need to be poured with boiling water (500 ml)
2. This remedy must be infused for seven hours.

Then you need to strain it and take 100 ml three times a day before meals.

An alcohol tincture of red clover can also help cleanse blood vessels. It should be taken 1 tbsp. spoon (diluted in ¼ glass of water) once a day before breakfast.

Possible side effects from use

Side effects when using medicinal herbs occur infrequently. However, you need to know about them in order to stop taking them in time and consult a doctor. We are talking about the following possible consequences:

• skin rashes;
• pain in muscle tissue;
• migraine;
• nausea or vomiting;
• vaginal bleeding.

In addition, side effects may occur if clover supplements are used simultaneously with certain classes of medications. You cannot combine the use of dietary supplements with estrogens, oral contraceptives, and liver enzymes. Negative effects are observed when taking drugs that slow down blood clotting.

How to properly brew red clover tea and decoction for rejuvenation?

Clover is a very effective assistant in the fight against old age. You can rejuvenate the body with the help of several recipes for teas and decoctions based on this plant.

KIDNEY REJUVENATION

1. Dry clover (3 tablespoons) is poured with boiling water (500 ml)
2. Add a handful of rowan berries to the teapot

Drink one mug of this tea three times a day.

Decoction

REJUVENATION OF Gastrointestinal Organs

1. Mix dry shoots and leaves of oregano with clover and lemon balm in equal proportions
2. Pour the mixture (3 tablespoons) with boiling water (500 ml) and add a little zest
3. To enhance the effect, this tea can be boiled over low heat for about 5 minutes.

You need to drink this tea 1-2 times a day between meals.

SKIN AND HAIR REJUVENATION

1. Dried red clover flowers (4 tablespoons) pour boiling water (500 ml)
2. Leave for half an hour and use to rinse hair or as a facial skin care product.

Morphological description

The root is tap root, short in length and produces many shoots. Swells with nitrogen-assimilation bacteria form on the root (they absorb nitrogen and accumulate air from it), so fields are sown with clover to naturally fertilize the soil.

Branched stems reach a height of 20-60 cm, are ascending or erect. The leaves are trifoliate, ovate or elliptical in shape, long petiole, bright green with a light spot in the center. The lower leaves have serrated edges.

Flowering occurs in June-July, and can continue until August. Red clover flowers are zygomorphic, sessile, irregular in shape, 11-14 mm long, located in capitate inflorescences framed by two leaflets. The inflorescence is an elongated ovoid or cylindrical head 1.5-3.5 cm wide and 2-3 cm long. Fruits in July-August: the beans are filmy, ovoid-spherical, with one brown achene.

Red clover face masks: recipes

Clover can also be used as cosmetic masks. A universal remedy of this type based on this plant is the following mask:

1. Grind fresh clover flowers and leaves using a food processor or meat grinder
2. To the resulting mixture (1 tablespoon), you must add liquid honey (1 teaspoon), kefir (1 tablespoon) and an egg (1 pc.)
3. The ingredients are mixed until smooth and immediately applied to the face for 15-20 minutes.

You can use this mask 2 times a week.

You can relieve redness on the skin using this recipe:

1. Fresh clover needs to be chopped into pieces and pour boiling water over it.
2. Soak several folded gauze in the infusion and apply it to the affected area.

This mask is good for sunburn, acne and other skin problems.

Application area

In folk medicine, decoctions and infusions of clover are used to treat the following diseases:

1. Cardiovascular pathology, damage to skeletal muscles. Clover reduces the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, so it effectively helps with atherosclerosis. Relieves inflammation of muscle tissue, improves the contractile activity of myocytes.

2. Metabolic disorders, decreased immunity. The components of the products have a stimulating, restorative effect on the body. They tone, relieve fatigue and muscle weakness, and reduce the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. By accelerating metabolism, the symptoms of alcohol intoxication are alleviated, metabolism is restored, and body weight is normalized.
3. Respiratory tract diseases. The drugs eliminate inflammation of the lower respiratory tract, help with influenza and other acute viral infections, colds, and tuberculosis. They alleviate the symptoms of bronchial asthma and prolong the period of remission.
4. Hypertension. Clover lowers blood pressure. The herbaceous plant relieves headaches, dizziness, and normalizes heart function.
5. Diseases of the liver, urinary system organs. Thanks to their mild action, active plant components remove toxic substances, heavy metal salts, carcinogenic compounds from hepatocytes, and purify the blood. They have a mild diuretic effect, relieving inflammation of the kidneys and promoting the removal of stones from paired organs.
6. Dermatological diseases, mucosal lesions. Clover products are applied externally. They help with fungal infections, acne, mild burns, psoriasis and purulent ulcerative lesions. Thanks to compresses, a person gets rid of acute pain due to neuralgia, inflammation of the joints due to rheumatism. For coughs, inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils and sore throat, use a gargling solution made from clover flowers. It is possible to use microenemas for hemorrhoids and rectal edema.

Medicinal herbs are actively used in the field of cosmetology. It contains phytoestrogens and antioxidants. The former normalize metabolism inside cells and restore hormonal levels. Antioxidants slow down the aging process by removing free radicals.

Cosmetics eliminate wrinkles, restore the elasticity of the skin, and eliminate pigmentation.

Pink clover is used to make hair care products. It is used to eliminate dandruff and flaking of the scalp. Improves blood supply to hair follicles, gives strands a healthy shine, and stops alopecia.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with Chamomile for facial skin

Red clover for breast enlargement: recipe for use

The hero of this article is rich in isoflavones and anticoagulants. Among other things, these substances are responsible for regulating the level of female sex hormones. These are the compounds that affect appearance and attractiveness. And as we know, one of the standards of female beauty is large and firm breasts.

In order to increase the volume of this part of the female body, you need to prepare a decoction of red clover (2 tablespoons of dried flowers per 500 ml of water). You need to use it one tablespoon three times a day.

This decoction can also be used externally, rubbing it into the bust with light circular movements.

Procurement of raw materials

How to properly collect and prepare clover so that all its medicinal properties are preserved?

• Collection. The optimal time for collection is the period of active flowering. Depending on the climate, this usually occurs from May to September. It is best to collect not only the inflorescences, but the top leaves, which are also rich in useful substances.
• Drying. It is recommended to dry the grass in natural conditions. The optimal place would be an attic or under a special canopy. Experienced herbalists recommend not allowing clover to dry out excessively, as this reduces the concentration of beneficial ingredients. The inflorescence heads should not crumble or fall off after drying.
• Storage. To create optimal storage conditions, it is necessary to pack the herbs in fabric bags and store them in a dry place. It is not recommended to store blanks for longer than 1 year. If the storage rules are followed, there should be no foreign odor, and the taste of the herb remains slightly bitter.

Can children eat red clover?

It’s rare that when you were a child you didn’t taste the fluffy and bright flowers of clover. At the same time, nothing happened to the child’s body. Clover is not dangerous for children. Of course within reasonable limits. But preparations based on this plant should not contain alcohol.

In addition, when treating a child with clover-based products, the dosage should be slightly reduced. It is advisable to consult a doctor before using such drugs.

Red clover is a plant that not only has great benefits, but can also be used in various dishes. You can make salads from the young leaves of this plant or add them to soups. In Scotland and Ireland, buns are widespread, with dried clover leaves added to the dough during baking. And in Germany, it is customary to replace spinach with clover.

Contraindications

Meadow clover, the properties and uses of which are described above, is not an absolutely harmless plant. Although it can be used for thrombophlebitis, not all forms of the disease and stages can be corrected with clover decoction. A preliminary consultation with a doctor is required.

List of contraindications:

• varicose veins;
• acute forms of renal and hepatic pathologies;
• pregnancy;
• estrogen-dependent oncology;
• constipation and chronic diarrhea;
• childhood (if treatment with alcohol forms is implied).

Severe heart disease, vascular crises, post-stroke condition are not a reason to treat yourself and experiment. Any herbal remedy and traditional medicine recipes can only be taken with the knowledge of a doctor. It’s one thing to use cosmetics with clover essential oil, and quite another to drink a rich decoction.