Between May and September you can find red clover throughout the United States and Canada. Although it is considered a "weed," red clover has a number of medicinal uses.
Medicinal Uses of Red Clover
Red clover is currently used in alternative medicine to treat itching or dry skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis. It is particularly useful in children because of it’s mild, safe nature as a medicinal herb. Because it is an expectorant, it is also very useful in treating breathing problems including bronchitis, respiratory congestion, and whooping cough. Red clover can be used to for female reproductive problems such as menopause, infertility, hot flashes, and heavy bleeding or cramping during menstruation. Red clover is currently being studied for the treatment of cancer and is considered most helpful in treating cancer of the reproductive organs including breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer. Red clover tea is also considered an effective blood purifier.
Foraging for Red Clover
Red clover is fairly simple to identify because it looks like the clover sprinkling most lawns. However, most lawn clover blossoms are white and the leaves are smaller than those of red clover. Red clover blossoms are a purple-red color. You can forage for red clover by locating it in your own back yard, fields, or meadows that have not been treated with sprays or pesticides. It is not a good idea to forage for red clover near the road side, as these plants are often heavily polluted. If you are foraging red clover from someone else’s property use good foraging etiquette and ask first. Be certain that you have properly identified red clover by consulting weed identification books, experienced foragers, or an agency specializing in weed identification. The Kansas State University Research and Extension program has excellent online tools available to help identify "weeds."
Preparing Red Clover Tea
To make red clover tea, use 3 fresh red clover blossoms, or 2-3 teaspoons of dried clover blossom in 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for 15 minutes before drinking. Once prepared, red clover tea can also be used externally for skin conditions or added to a warm bath.
Storing Red Clover Blossoms
Red clover blossoms are ideally used immediately, but they can also be frozen or dried for later use. To dry red clover, place the blossoms in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area between 85 and 100 degrees to dry. Make sure the blossoms are fully dry before sealing them in an air-tight container for storage. Label the red clover and the date that it was dried. Red clover blossoms are best if used within one year of drying.
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