Red Clover has been revered by many cultures since antiquity and was used as a symbol for protection. The Red Clover flower was worn to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune. The ancient Greeks held Red Clover in high esteem, associating it with the Goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite.

In Pagan folklore, Clovers were said to be much loved by the Fairy Folk. The story goes that once a milkmaid accidentally picked a four-leaf Clover with the grass she used to custion the weight of the milk pail on her head. The next thing she knew, her cow was being milked by dozens of Fairies. This led to a salve of the four-leaf Clover being used to allow a human being to see Fairies and Spirits.

In Cornwall, a four-leaf Clover is said to bring back a child if they have been stolen by Pixies.

St Patrick used the three-fold Clover leaf to explain the three in one nature of the Holy Trinity. In Chrtistian lore, Eve took some four-leaf Clover with her when she was banished from the Garden of Eden as a reminder of her happy time in paradise.

Red Clover has a generosity of spirit and a sympathetic energy because it is gentle and effective, providing what is needed as if this beautiful plant cares about the individual (human or animal) who is consuming it. 

Red Clover is the most powerful herb of all to support the lymphatic system and cleanse lymph fluid which means it can be a helpful cancer preventative. Using both the flowers and the leaves, Red Clover is a diuretic and a blood builder for those with virtually any type of blood disorder or disease, including those with toxic blood caused by the pancreas or liver not functioning properly.

Loaded with nutrients and disease-fighting alkaloids, Red Clover is perfect for remineralisation and for replenishment of essential compounds including molybdenum, manganese, selenium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, B vitamins, cofactors of vitamins (phytonutrients that are not yet on the radar of medical research) and more. 

Red Clover’s alkaloids work hand in hand with its amino acids to break up and reduce stored-up, unnecessary fat, so it can be flushed out of the body. It’s one of the ultimate drivers of weight loss of our time.

Red Clover has an energising effect, making it a stellar herb for someone who is feeling exhausted, fatigued, or depleted. It also helps to cleanse toxic heavy metals and pesticides such as DDT.

SOURCE: Medical Medium - Red Clover - Lymph Cleanser

In summary, Red Clover produces wonderfully brightly coloured flowers which contain many nutrients, including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, zinc and vitamin C and A, and some B vitamins. It also provides a rich source of isoflavones which are compounds that act as phytoestrogens - plant chemicals similar to the female hormone estgrogen.

Red Clover is used in herbal medicine as a blood cleanser, for balancing estrogen levels, to treat whooping cough, and to soothe skin inflammation such as eczema. This remarkable gift of Nature is also used in anti-cancer herbal preparations due to the isoflavones being found to potentially stop cancer cells from growing and killing cancer cells in test tubes. 

Red Clover Herbal Tea 

This simple and refreshing herbal tea with added ingredients is highly beneficial. An optional addition is organic Propolis Tincture which helps to relive Hayfever when used daily. You will need:

2 x handfuls of Red Clover flowers (stalks and leaves included)

1 x juice of half a Lemon

1 x chopped rind of half a Lemon (preferably frozen)

1 x several slices of thinly sliced fresh Ginger

1 x cup of filtered water (just off the boil)

1 x tablespoon of Raw Honey

9 x drops of Propolis Tincture

• Wash and prepare the above ingredients (leaving out the Raw Honey and Propolis) and put them into a teacup or teapot i(f you want to enjoy further cups of this refreshing herbal tea during the day). 
• Fill up your teacup or teapot with just off the boil filtered water and steep for 15-20 minutes.
• Strain if desired before adding Raw Honey to taste and the Propolis tincture while still warm - relax, savour and enjoy.

Wild Clover Tabbouleh

A family recipe shared by Christelle on Permacrafters in her beautiful article about Red Clover (see link below). A recipe I will try and share with you in the coming weeks. You will need:

1 x large handful Red Clover Leaves 

1 x handful Red Clover Flowers

4 x tablespoons, prepared Couscous, 

¼ x Red Pepper, chopped

½ x Red Onion, chopped finely

2 x Garlic Cloves, chopped finely

Juice from ½ lemon

Pinch of Celtic Sea Salt

1 tbsp x Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil

1. Mix the Garlic, Lemon Juice, Olive Oil and Salt together in a glass. Stir well. 
2. Rinse and finely chop the Red Clover leaves and Red Clover flowers.
3. In a large bowl, mix the Red Clover leaves and flowers with prepared Couscous, Red Pepper and Red Onion.
4. Add the Garlic, Lemon Jioce, Salt, Olive Oil. and stir well.
5. Rest for 15 minutes for all the flavours to be absorbed before serving.

SOURCE: Foraged Red Clover Recipe: Wild Tabbouleh