Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Photo: Dandy1022 · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Female Reproductive
- 1 condition
- Licensed photo
Overview
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a perennial legume about 16 in (40 cm) tall, with trifoliate leaves bearing a white crescent and pink-purple egg-shaped flowerheads. Used as a traditional “blood purifier,” it’s rich in isoflavones (phytoestrogens) and helpful for menopausal symptoms, certain skin conditions, and respiratory issues.
Traditional uses & properties
Alterative & Lymphatic: Commonly taken for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), cleansing the blood, and swollen lymph glands. Phytoestrogenic: Helps block estrogen receptor sites, potentially supporting menopause and inhibiting estrogen-dependent tumors. Expectorant & Mild Antispasmodic: Traditionally used to ease coughs, spasmodic breathing conditions, and whooping cough in children. Nutritive Tonic: Contains vitamins, minerals, and protective flavonoids.
Traditional preparations
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person.
Create an infusion with flower heads.
Safety & precautions
Pregnancy: Some recommend avoiding during pregnancy due to phytoestrogens. Blood-Thinning: Has mild blood-thinning properties; consult a healthcare provider if on anticoagulants.
Drug & food interactions
It has been suggested that red clover may interact with anticoagulants, but evidence for this is largely lacking.
- Tamoxifen
- No data for red clover found.
- Antibacterials
- No data for red clover found.
- Herbal medicines
- No interactions found.
- Fexofenadine
- No data for red clover found.
- Paclitaxel
- No data for red clover found.
- Anticoagulants
- The interaction between red clover and anticoagulants is based on a prediction only.
- Digoxin
- No data for red clover found.
- Food
- No interactions found.
These entries keep the wording of the reference they come from, and three phrases mean three different things. "No interactions found" means the source looked for reports of that pairing and found none. "No data found" means nothing has been published either way. "Based on experimental evidence only" means the effect has been seen in a laboratory or animal study but not in people - a reason for caution, not a report of harm.
Habitat
Originally from Europe and Asia, red clover is cultivated globally as fodder and a nitrogen-fixing crop. The flowerheads are gathered in summer once they fully open.
Traditionally used for
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Frequently asked questions
What is Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) as follows: Alterative & Lymphatic: Commonly taken for skin problems (eczema, psoriasis), cleansing the blood, and swollen lymph glands. Phytoestrogenic: Helps block estrogen receptor sites, potentially supporting menopause and inhibiting estrogen-dependent tumors. Expectorant & Mild Antispasmodic: Traditionally used to ease coughs, spasmodic breathing conditions, and whooping cough in children. Nutritive Tonic: Contains vitamins, minerals, and protective flavonoids.
How is Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) prepared?
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person. Osteoporosis: Create an infusion with flower heads.
What safety cautions apply to Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)?
Pregnancy: Some recommend avoiding during pregnancy due to phytoestrogens. Blood-Thinning: Has mild blood-thinning properties; consult a healthcare provider if on anticoagulants.
Related herbs
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