Red clover
Red clover (Trifolium pratense): From a short rootstock, a multitude of flowering stems develop in a lawn-like manner.
The spherical flower heads consist of many individual pink to purple butterfly flowers.
The leaves consist of three ovate leaflets, hairy on the lower side and often with a V-shaped, light-colored pattern on top.
Family and collection time
Red clover belongs to the butterfly family.
Parts of the plant used: Flowers, young shoots
Collection time in detail:
- Flowers: May – September
- Young shoots: April – June
Healing effect and application
Healing properties:
Blood purifying, cell protecting, anti-inflammatory, hormone balancing, anti-cancer, mood enhancing.
Application in naturopathy:
Menstrual and menopausal problems, digestive problems, compresses for skin diseases.
Ingredients: (selection)
- Tannins
- Glycosides
- Phenolic substances
- Isoflavones
Recipe for the kitchen:
Fruit salad with clover flowers
References:
Beiser, Rudi: Our edible wild plants. Kosmos Nature Guide 2018
Bühring, Ursel: Praxis-Lehrbuch der modernen Heilpflanzenkunde; Grundlagen – Anwendung – Therapie. Sonntag Publishing House Stuttgart 2005
Pahlow, M. Pharmacist: Medicinal Plants. Bechtermünz Publishing House Augsburg 2001
Schneider, Christine: Finding wild herbs. Ulmer Publishing House Stuttgart 2017
Recipe by Dr. Markus Strauß www.dr-strauss.net