Clover (Trifolium): flower and forage crop. Red Clover (Red Clover)

In summer meadows, the most remarkable and beautiful plant is considered red clover, which attracts attention with an interesting inflorescence in the form of small lilac cones. At the same time, clover can be identified not only by its flowers, but also by its characteristic triple leaves with light small patterns in the middle of each.

The mistake of many flower growers, botanists and herb lovers is to naively believe that meadow clover and red meadow clover are the same plant. In fact, these are related herbs that bees love very much for their high honey production.

The first mention of clover was in the records of the natural scientist and ancient Greek philosopher Theophastus, who lived in the 4th century BC. Even then, humanity believed that clover grass was the best food plant for all animals that feed on vegetation.

Over time, clover began to be specially bred for the production of feed in Europe. In Russia, the artificial spread of clover occurred much later than in Europe. Landowner I.I. In 1819, Samarin brought hybrid clover seeds to the territory of our homeland, thereby giving rise to the cultivation of such a valuable plant. Today, the cultivation of red clover has achieved the desired result, since the plant can be found in meadows and clearings, as well as along highways and roads in Ukraine , In Russia, in neighboring Belarus.

The plant of the legume family reaches a maximum height of 50 cm, trifoliate leaves of obovate or elliptical type. With the onset of night, the leaves fold upward, and the clover inflorescence looks like a spherical head, equipped with a wrapper on top. The corolla itself of the plant has either a dark purple color or a pale red tint, less often white.

Healing properties

If the above-ground part of red clover is used as a medicine, the plant will have several types of effects: antiseptic, antirachitic, antisclerotic, antiscorbutic, antimalarial, astringent, diuretic, anticarcinogenic and appetite stimulant.

List of healing properties of red clover:

1. Used as a lymphatic and antiseptic.
2. It has a choleretic and diuretic effect on human internal organs.
3. In case of colds, clover has an expectorant and diaphoretic effect.
4. The herb has high antioxidant properties, so it is often used in preventive measures against cancer and the possibility of mastitis. Traditional medicine advises using clover to treat female cancers, such as ovarian cancer and breast cancer.
5. If you use a decoction of clover in treatment, you can cleanse the blood of toxic substances; the herb is widely used during the rehabilitation period after suffering complex infections.
6. Clover helps in the treatment of various types of hepatitis with its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used in the treatment of colds, severe bronchitis and pneumonia.
7. Clover flowers have wound-healing properties and are used in home treatment for sore eyes and ears. Clover also helps cope with bedsores and eczema, skin diseases and abscesses.
8. The digestive system improves its functioning thanks to clover, disorders and inflammatory processes in the intestines and gall bladder are eliminated.
9. Decoctions of this herb are used to alleviate gout, as well as rheumatoid arthritis.
10. A decoction of clover has a calming effect on the nervous system, thereby relieving muscle tone.

In addition, clover has been proven to have a positive effect in the treatment of foot and nail fungi, psoriasis, allergic skin manifestations and all kinds of irritations of the epidermis. Pink clover and meadow clover are indispensable in gynecology, since with the help of decoctions from them, genital infections are treated with douching, and also relieve inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Contraindications for use

Any plant offers humanity a huge list of beneficial properties and the possibility of curing various ailments. Despite this, any substance has a list of contraindications that cannot be ignored. The same applies to red clover, which is prohibited for consumption by the following categories of persons:

• Those people who have an individual intolerance to one or another component of clover.
• Women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding a child.
• People diagnosed with chronic diseases of the digestive system.
• Those people who have previously suffered a stroke or heart attack.

Regardless of the fact that clover is considered the richest plant in its healing composition, the first dose should be careful and strictly follow the dosage so that the plant does not cause an allergic reaction.

Rules for collecting and storing red clover (meadow)

Most often, you can stock up on clover by purchasing already collected clover at any pharmacy branch. But there are those people who prefer to replenish their supplies with useful plants and herbs on their own. Red clover can be collected independently and prepared according to special instructions.

You need to collect grass in a clean area, where there is no increased dust, garbage or wasteland. Also, you should not take grass that grows not far from the road or enterprises. The most important components of the plant are concentrated in the upper part of the clover, so the tops with inflorescences and apical leaves are cut off for harvesting. As soon as the period of full flowering of clover has begun, the plant is cut and dried. For drying, choose a place under a canopy from direct sunlight, and it should be well ventilated. If an electric dryer is used, the heat supply temperature should not exceed 60 degrees.

If the raw material has dried out, some of the beneficial properties of the plant will be lost. To store the collected dry inflorescences, take a good airtight container. The shelf life should not exceed 1 year; the grass is hidden from the sun in a cool, dark place.

Red clover and traditional medicine

Modern medicine uses both the above-ground parts of the plant and its rhizomes. Although many sources do not recognize red clover as a means of traditional medicine, in practice it can be seen differently.

Most pharmacy herbal collections for bronchitis and cough include clover. In addition, many dietary supplements are used to treat diseases of the system and digestion, since clover contains a large amount of isoflavones.

In addition, clover is included in medications that help women survive the symptoms of menopause. The herbal collection is used to prepare decoctions used for vaginal douching.

Thus, various infections of the genital organs and inflammatory processes are treated. Many sedatives to calm the nervous system include clover extract.

Traditional medicine and recipes with red clover

Traditional medicine has been around for a long time and to this day has preserved many ancient recipes that help cure a huge list of human diseases. If we take into account reviews from people who received the expected benefits from treatment by using clover, we can identify the most popular recipes.

Recipe for a decoction for cough, bronchitis, pneumonia

To prepare the infusion, the pre-collected herb is crushed with a knife, 1 tablespoon of the raw material is poured with a glass of boiled water. After the decoction has infused, take half a glass (100 g) orally three times a day, immediately before meals.

Infusion recipe for treating skin ailments

As in the first case, the clover grass is crushed, 2 tablespoons of the raw material are poured into a glass of boiled water and left for a while. After this, the decoction is filtered from the sediment and applied to damaged areas of the skin, either rubbed in or used as compresses.

Recipe for a decoction for lotions and baths against fungus and skin rashes

4 tablespoons of prepared raw materials are diluted in a glass of boiled water and boiled for another 10-15 minutes. After the herb has infused, the decoction is filtered to remove the sediment.

Recipe for ointment for boils, ulcers and burns

To prepare a medicinal ointment, take a quarter cup of dry clover inflorescences. The raw materials are placed in a glass of boiled water and simmered in a water bath until the water evaporates and the grass softens. After this, the raw material is diluted in any fat base (for example, lanolin) and used as an ointment.

Recipe for the treatment of upper respiratory tract diseases

Dilute a tablespoon of dry clover grass in a glass of milk, then put it on the stove and boil for 15 minutes. This decoction is used internally for colds and diseases of the respiratory system.

Tincture recipe for kidney diseases, urolithiasis, gynecological diseases

A glass of boiled water is diluted in 20 grams of prepared herbal raw materials. After this, the broth is infused in a dark place for 1 hour. First, the infusion is filtered from the sediment, consumed three times a day before eating, 100 grams each.

If we are talking about an alcohol tincture, to prepare it, take 40 grams of inflorescences, pour them into half a liter of vodka, after which the tincture is stored in a dark place for 10 days. The tincture is ready, take 1 teaspoon before the last meal.

Diabetes and red clover

Unfortunately, diabetes has become one of the most common diseases that require long-term complex treatment. In addition to traditional medications, you can help your body cope with diabetes using traditional medicine methods. Red clover has been scientifically proven to be an effective treatment for diabetes.

Recipe for clover for diabetes

In a glass of boiled water you need to dilute a teaspoon of dried clover heads, leave the mixture to brew for half an hour. Before each meal, you need to take 10 grams of the drug half an hour before each meal, the course of treatment is 1 month.

It has been proven that red clover lowers blood sugar levels, thereby treating diabetes. It is very important to follow the dosage, since a strong decrease in sugar levels can only aggravate the situation and the person’s health.

As practice shows, most diabetics manage to keep their sugar levels in balance by taking clover decoction, which is confirmed by numerous reviews.

At the first symptoms of various diseases, many people turn to herbs and tinctures. If you consult your doctor in advance and follow the dosage, then a natural “pharmacy” can really help. Some even stock up on medicinal herbs, since the season has already begun. Let's learn more about the benefits of meadow clover and what its use is in.

Chemical composition

A discreet-looking plant in its composition will give odds to many “factory” drugs.
Its leaves and stems contain many valuable elements and compounds. So, there is 25% protein alone, and the same amount of fiber. There are fewer fats and amino acids, but they are also present - 3% and 1.4%, respectively. Also includes:

• Vitamins of groups B, C, E, K.
• Oils (fatty, essential) and resins.
• A large number of organic acids, among which ketoglutaric and salicylic acids take precedence.
• Pigments.
• Beta carotene.
• Isoflavones and flavonols (formonetin, pratoletin, kaempferol, etc.).
• Glycosidic compounds and sitosterol components.

Beneficial features

Clover has many advantages. Here are just the main ones:

• Smoothes inflammation and relieves swelling.
• Cleanses the bloodstream and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.
• Normalizes heart function.
• Lowers pressure (both arterial and intracranial).
• Has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
• Relieves headaches of varying intensity.
• Regulates metabolism.
• Acts as a tonic.

Did you know? According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick used clover to drive out all the snakes from the island. In addition, the Catholic tradition attributes to him an explanation of the dogma of the Trinity, which also could not be done without these leaves.

Another distinctive feature of the plant is its. The pale-looking product with a delicious taste is one of the best, as any beekeeper will confirm.

As you can see, the list is quite impressive. Therefore, it makes sense to find out how and at what time it is best to collect such useful material.

Collecting the required amount of “potion” is simple: clover grows almost everywhere in our latitudes. True, there is one nuance here - it is better not to take roadside grass, it is better to take time and wander through the nearby edges and forests.
The best healing properties are manifested in flowers picked at the very end - beginning. They are removed along with the upper leaves (the so-called stipule). For greater effect, you can cut off the stem itself.

The workpiece is dried in the shade, avoiding exposure to sunlight. In this case, the room should be well ventilated. Many people immediately after collection crush all the material and only then lay it out in a thin layer for drying.

Important! When drying, try to turn the collected material at least 2-3 times a day. Ideally this should be done every 6 hours.

When the “medicine” has dried, it is placed in a closed container. This can be a fabric or paper bag, bag or box. Such reserves can be used within 1 year - as they “age”, the valuable properties of the herbal mixtures are lost.
We were again convinced of the obvious benefits of clover, but if taken too actively, harm to the body can occur. To prevent this from happening, let’s familiarize ourselves with the recipe and dosage of homemade drugs.

Recipes, use in folk medicine

In medicine (even “unofficial”) there is a golden rule: every disease has its own medicine. Of course, you cannot “mix” several decoctions in one sitting, and you cannot self-medicate. But it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Let's start the story about the preparation and use of “clover” remedies with the popular “general strengthening” remedy.

Strengthening the immune system

Everything is extremely simple:

• Take 1 glass of flowers and “half a liter” (yes, exactly vodka).
• After mixing, let it brew for at least 10 days in a closed container. The bottle is shaken periodically.

Did you know? Trefoil image-it is not only a symbol of Ireland, but also the official trademark of the country.

• 200 g of fresh inflorescences are poured into 1 liter of water and boiled for 4–5 minutes;
• then add honey (to taste) and place the container in the refrigerator.

For headaches

• 2 tbsp. l. dried inflorescences are poured with water (250 ml);
• After boiling, the mixture is infused for 40 minutes, after which it is decanted.

This “drug” is great for migraines. A herbal mixture of clover and meadowsweet, which is brewed like tea, will relieve dizziness and unpleasant noises. It is usually drunk after meals.

For a cold

Everything here is familiar to those who know how to brew dried clover (unless you need more water):

• 2 tbsp. l. pour in 2 glasses;
• After stirring, let it sit for 5 hours.

Important! To prepare such compositions, enamel cookware without chips on the coating is suitable. In such containers, the vitamin balance of drinks and dishes is maintained longer.

If a cold is accompanied by a severe cough, honey comes into play: drop a teaspoon of juice into a glass of warm water and. The result is a tasty and soft product. This is a “children’s” dose; adults can take more.

For hypertension

“Porridge”, when used correctly, relieves blood pressure well. To bring his numbers up to normal, you need to:

• Pour a tablespoon of dried flowers into a glass of water and boil.
• Leave for about half an hour.
• Take according to the adjusted plan. The entire volume is divided in two, the first half is taken on an empty stomach in the morning. The remainder is divided into two more equal parts - pre-lunch and evening (before dinner).

For stomach ulcers

The “weight” and ingredients remain the same: the same spoon with dry heads collected and a glass of boiling water, followed by a downtime of 30 minutes. It is recommended to take 1 tablespoon of the mixture for 3 times a day.

There is a belief that finding a leaf with “four lobes” is lucky. But rarer five-pointed processes, on the contrary, are better to be avoided.
Note that in this case the dosage depends on the person’s weight: for those who have crossed the line of 80 kg, the volume is doubled.

Experienced herbalists use the herb in complex decoctions (together with, chamomile and). If we take, for example, 15 g of clover, then the other ingredients will require 5, 15 and 25 g, respectively. The recipe and regimen are the same, but sometimes individual intolerance to any element is observed.

For kidney diseases and urolithiasis

The scheme is the same:

• 2 tbsp. l. boil flowers in water (1 cup);
• leave for 20 minutes;
• after cooling, filter;

For purulent wounds and boils

This is the external “hypostasis” of clover tincture and the answer to the question of what else it helps with. Before processing, take a thermos and make a preparation:

• The inflorescences are poured with boiling water, based on the proportion already familiar to us (2 tbsp. l/1 tbsp). The volume itself depends on the area of ​​damage; for larger wounds, a larger “batch” is needed, but stick to the original ratio.
• Cover with a lid, leave for 1.5–2 hours and strain.
• Wounds, ulcers and ulcers are washed with the resulting liquid.

Important! Boils should not be treated with brilliant green or other colored preparations.-it is then difficult for doctors to determine the size of the lesion. You will also have to refrain from swimming.

The same procedure is done when boils appear. But you can also fight them with the help of compresses. At the rate of one spoon per glass, keep in a thermos for at least 6 hours. The entire volume is divided into two procedures.
A similar scheme can be used for baths, if their use is convenient in a particular case.

For vessels

When planning to clean the vessels, stock up on flowers as you should - you will need a lot of them.

Blooming clover meadows are a stunning sight. A dense carpet of bright crimson flowers creates a delightful landscape. But these cute flowers are capable of not only pleasing the eye - they have enormous benefits and strength. This was known many centuries ago, but even today red clover is incredibly popular in the medical field. This plant is part of medicinal herbal preparations and is also often used independently. Let's look at all the medicinal properties and contraindications of red clover. This information will allow you to get the maximum benefit from it and cure many diseases.

All parts of red clover are used to prepare medicinal products, and they are harvested during the flowering period

Impact on the body

Red clover exhibits the following medicinal properties:

• suppresses the growth of cancerous tumors and slows it down. It is used for the prevention of cancer, as well as during the rehabilitation period, to support the body’s protective functions and prevent relapse of this disease. This plant is especially effective for cancer of the mammary glands, ovaries and lymph nodes. In addition, it can also be used to treat mastopathy, which is a precursor to oncology.

  Interesting fact! Many patients who were able to overcome cancer had red clover on their list of medications.

• This plant exhibits expectorant properties, due to which it is often prescribed for pneumonia and bronchitis. Red clover preparations help thin mucus and help remove it from the bronchi. This property also becomes relevant for whooping cough - it facilitates and stops attacks of suffocating cough, which it is characterized by;
• the diuretic effect is applicable for genitourinary infectious diseases and edema - excess fluid is removed from the body;
• Thanks to its wound-healing property, the use of red clover is fully justified in the treatment of dermatological diseases: psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis. And as a result - rapid healing of wounds, elimination of rashes, reduction of the area of ​​the affected skin area and a long period of remission;
• plant preparations can stop or slow down baldness, and also stimulate the process of collagen production, which helps to shed youthful skin and eliminate existing wrinkles;
• red clover is an excellent cleanser that helps remove toxins, waste and other harmful substances from the body;
• analgesic properties are used for vasculitis, arthritis, colic, joint pain and during menstruation;
• red clover preparations tone the body, as a result of which lost strength is quickly restored, and you forget about physical exhaustion.

Treatment with red clover may be indicated in the following situations:

• gout;
• gallbladder diseases;
• liver diseases;
• intestinal disorders and bowel diseases;
• angina;
• tonsillitis;
• acute respiratory infection;
• flu;
• colds;
• rheumatoid arthritis.

Use of plant preparations

In folk medicine, red clover is used to prepare medicinal decoctions and infusions, which can be used both as an internal and external remedy. We present to your attention some of them.

Hypertonic disease

Red clover exhibits medicinal properties for hypertension. Its decoction helps dilate blood vessels and calms the heart rate, causing blood pressure to drop to normal levels.

You can prepare this product according to the following recipe:

• Place 3 tablespoons of dried inflorescences in a saucepan;
• pour in 300 ml of boiling water;
• place the container with the mixture in a water bath and cook for 10 minutes;
• Remove the broth from the stove and leave for half an hour;
• filter.

Take the finished drug 75 ml three times a day.

Climax

The healing properties of red clover during menopause are due to the presence of phytoestrogens in the plant, which are similar in their effect to female estrogens. Thanks to the use of the infusion, sleep is normalized, sexual function is enhanced, the condition of nails and hair is improved, and dry mucous membranes and skin are eliminated.

On a note! By using clover for douching, you can not only eliminate vaginal dryness, but also cure inflammation in it.

The infusion is prepared as follows:

• young leaves and shoots of the plant in the amount of 40 g are combined with 30 g of flowers;
• pour a glass of boiling water;
• cover and leave for 1 hour;
• filter.

Take the finished product 50 ml four times a day.

Cholesterol

Red clover is rich in glycosides, tannins and essential oils, which allows it to exhibit medicinal properties in cleansing blood vessels from cholesterol. Its drugs break down fatty deposits accumulated on the walls of blood vessels and cleanse the blood of cholesterol, removing it naturally. At the same time, the vessels themselves are restored and strengthened.

Alcohol tincture of clover for cholesterol can be prepared from both dried and fresh raw materials.

On a note! In the latter case, it should first be thoroughly washed under running water and laid out on a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. After an hour, the herb is ready for use.

The recipe for preparing the product is as follows:

• Fill a 2-liter jar halfway with clover blossoms;
• pour in 500 ml of vodka;
• Close the container with a nylon lid and put it in a cool, shaded place;
• insist for 15 days;
• filter and store in the general compartment of the refrigerator.

• 1st month – 15 ml once a day before lunch;
• after a break of 10 days;
• the next course also lasts 1 month - 20-22 ml once a day before lunch;
• after a break of 10 days;
• duration of the third course is 1 month - 15 ml once a day before lunch.

Possible harm

Undoubtedly, red clover brings incredible benefits to our body, but in some cases, its preparations can cause harm.

1. The use of red clover-based products can adversely affect the development of the fetus, so they should not be used during pregnancy.
2. It is not recommended to use this plant if you have an upset stomach.
3. If you suffer from heart disease or are undergoing rehabilitation after a stroke, then red clover is contraindicated for you.
4. Children under 3 years of age are strictly prohibited from using this plant.
5. Varicose veins, kidney stones and thrombophlebitis are also contraindications.

All materials on the Priroda-Znaet.ru website are presented for informational purposes only. Before using any product, consultation with a doctor is MANDATORY!

> Useful properties and uses of clover

With the arrival of spring, the meadows are covered with herbs, many of which are medicinal. These include meadow clover, which spreads out in large green glades, which soon bloom in white and pink. Next we will look at the beneficial properties of clover. Whole swarms of bees fly to the flowers, and they certainly know the best of the best plants. And a person should stock up on clover as a medicinal plant. To do this, clover is collected during the flowering period, both flowers and leaves, and then dried and stored.

Useful properties of clover

It is not surprising, but clover contains a huge amount of various vitamins: P, E, C, B, B2, H, K. in addition to vitamins, clover record holder among herbs for the content of minerals: magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, lead, iron, silicon, sulfur, sodium, manganese, aluminum, copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel. It contains the important substance coumarin, which affects the blood, reducing its clotting. Clover can easily replace aspirin in this regard, which, as has been proven, does not have the best effect on the human body, provoking the development of a number of side effects. Clover is absolutely harmless in this regard.

Traditional medicine has known for centuries how meadow clover has a beneficial effect on the human body. Tea is brewed from clover flowers and infusions are prepared that fill the body with strength, especially after enduring severe stress and heavy physical activity. Clover is very important to brew and drink in winter, when you need to support a weakened body and strengthen the immune system.

It is beneficial for human health to take flower honey, and clover plays an important role here. Clover, as well as honey, is recommended for use by anyone with atherosclerosis, cough, bronchial asthma, anemia, tuberculosis, rheumatism, diabetes, headaches, hemorrhoids. It helps to cope with a number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including cholecystitis, hepatitis, gastritis (especially chronic), and enteritis.

White clover is an extremely useful herb for the fair sex. It not only helps to maintain the female body normally, but also cures leucorrhoea, helps with weak menstruation, and, on the contrary, bleeding during menopause. A decoction for inflammation of the appendages: one tablespoon of clover per glass of boiling water, boil in a water bath for half an hour, cool and strain. This remedy is consumed one tablespoon 5 times a day before meals.

Clover application

Cardiologists confirm that with the help of clover you can successfully cope with coronary heart disease. To improve the condition, drink tea brewed according to the following scheme. You need to take 10 -15 heads of clover, pour one glass of boiling water over them and bring to a boil. After this, the broth needs to brew a little, and the drink is ready.

If you have a headache, clover will help you, using this herb will help relieve pain. But for the best effect, it is mixed with meadowsweet in equal quantities, brewed and drunk.

From clover for a variety of medicinal purposes, a decoction is prepared for internal use. Three teaspoons of dried clover are poured into one glass of boiling water (250 ml) and left for an hour. Take a quarter glass of this remedy three times a day before meals.

Clover is used in folk medicine in different forms. Clover decoctions are also used for external use in the form of lotions for a wide variety of skin lesions. These include burns, frostbite, rotting wounds, bedsores, ulcers, eczema, acne, neurodermatitis. Baths with the addition of decoction are also very effective in such cases. For external use, the decoction is prepared according to the following scheme. You need to take two tablespoons of dried clover and pour a glass of boiling water in a thermos. Infuse for 5-6 hours, after which they are used in the form of lotions or added to baths. The same recipe is used to prepare a gargle for sore throats and pharyngitis. It helps relieve inflammation in the oral cavity. You can also use clover seeds.

Clover treatment is very useful. Despite the huge list of beneficial properties, clover has practically no contraindications. People who already have reduced blood clotting need to be very careful, since clover is a very strong remedy in this regard. It is also undesirable to use it if you are prone to a number of heart diseases, namely thrombophlebitis and strokes. It is contraindicated for pregnant women to consume clover in any form!

Clover, harm

Clover, harm which is insignificant compared to its medicinal properties, is traditionally used to treat many diseases. But, like any medicinal plant, it can have a negative effect on the human body. Harm of clover, is primarily associated with possible allergic reactions. Side effects can also be observed in people who have an individual intolerance to the components contained in this plant.

It is not recommended to combine products based on meadow clover with traditional medicines. The body's reaction can be unexpected and not always positive. You cannot combine them with contraceptives, as well as with medications that are used to slow down blood clotting.