What is the fruit of meadow clover. Clover - what is it? Use in cooking

Red clover, or in other words "meadow" belongs to the legume family. This unusual plant is familiar to everyone since childhood. Fluffy, purple balls of meadow clover can be found almost everywhere: in meadows, fields, along roadsides, etc. Purple scattering of flowers creates bright, colorful landscapes. The flowers of meadow clover have long been famous for their healing power. The medicinal plant has been used to treat many ailments. Clover is valued by the people for its medicinal properties and the ability to heal various diseases.

Traditional medicine uses clover flowers and grass to prepare decoctions, teas and infusions. About what recipes exist with this ingredient, we will consider further.

Chemical composition

The presence of a number of medicinal properties due to the rich natural composition of clover. The composition of this meadow plant includes a lot of substances, various trace elements and ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the human body. The most valuable are the flowers of the plant and its leaves.

The chemical composition of medicinal clover includes:

• vitamins: E, C, K and a number of B vitamins;
• macro- and microelements: chromium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, selenium, iron, magnesium;
• tannins;
• essential and fatty oils;
• glycosides (trifosilin, isotrifolin);
• flavonoids;
• alkaloids;
• phytoestrogens;
• resinous substances;
• bioquinone;
• organic acids (coumaric, salicylic), etc.

Each of these components helps to improve the body and saturate it with nutrients.

Beneficial features

The healing properties of clover have been known since ancient times. The rich natural composition of the plant allows it to be used as an ingredient in the treatment of many diseases.

Red clover has:

• anticheptic;
• antiviral;
• anti-inflammatory;
• lymphogenous;
• diuretic;
• diaphoretic;
• choleretic effect.

The composition of red clover is unique. For example, trifosilin, which is part of the plant, helps to destroy fungi and harmful bacteria.

Red clover is used for:

• lowering sugar and cholesterol;
• treatment of neurosis (to calm the nervous system)
• elimination of fungal infections;
• treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system;
• normalization of the gastrointestinal tract;
• purification of lymph and blood;
• treatment of gout;
• removal of toxins and toxins;

Due to its anti-inflammatory action, traditional medicine uses clover as an ingredient in the treatment of hepatitis, colds and lung diseases. The plant is also used to cleanse the circulatory system.

Meadow grass normalizes the work of digestion in case of some intestinal disorders, it also helps to remove toxic substances and accumulated excess fluid from the body.

And also meadow grass is used in the treatment of:

• atherosclerosis;
• insomnia and headache;
• tinnitus;
• respiratory diseases (cough, bronchitis, tuberculosis);
• colds;
• constipation and rectal disorders;
• skin infections;
• eye diseases;
• whooping cough and scarlet fever;
• osteochondrosis;
• rheumatism and arthritis.

The beneficial properties of clover are used to treat heart edema and atherosclerosis. The use of decoctions based on this plant contributes to the normalization of the cardiovascular system and the dissolution of cholesterol plaques.

Benefits for women

The medicinal properties of meadow clover are of particular value to the woman's body. The plant is popularly called "female grass", as it helps in the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive system.

The benefits of red clover for the female body is that it contains phytoestrogens, that is, female hormones. These natural substances normalize the functioning of the reproductive system and improve women's health.

Diseases of the female reproductive system treated with clover:

• ovarian diseases;
• vaginal irritation;
• uterine bleeding;
• menopause symptoms;
• inflammation of the fallopian tubes;
• genital infections;
• painful periods, etc.

During menopause, the medicinal properties of meadow clover are used in special medicinal infusions. This ingredient allows you to minimize the symptoms of menopause: eliminate vaginal dryness, hot flashes, fever and insomnia.

To reduce menopausal symptoms, a woman is recommended to use a special decoction. To prepare it, you will need two tablespoons of fresh inflorescences and red clover leaves. We steam all parts of the plant in a glass of boiling water and let it brew for half an hour. We take a medicinal decoction three times a day, 1/2 cup. We use the remedy before eating. The course is one month.

Decoctions based on clover increase the level of estrogen, which decreases during menopause, and also normalize the hormonal background of a woman.

When using this recipe, it is very important to pay attention to contraindications. A decoction of clover is not recommended for women who have very low blood clotting. It is also forbidden to take it with a previous heart attack or stroke.

Infusion with clover is recommended to use for pain during menstruation, as well as hormonal imbalances. To do this, it is recommended to use either pharmacy (packaged) tea based on clover flowers, or homemade infusion. To prepare it, we brew two or three flowers of the plant in a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 15-20 minutes. We use 0.5 cups 2-3 times a day. The course is one week.

Application in traditional medicine

Meadow clover has found wide application in alternative medicine. On its basis, various folk remedies are prepared, which are used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Traditional medicine uses flowers, stems and leaves of red clover to prepare recipes.

Very helpful to improve immunity clover tea. To do this, several flowers are steamed, let it brew and add a spoonful of honey. By the way, red clover is an excellent honey plant.

Useful honey is prepared on its basis. It can also be added to tea as the main ingredient, or eat one or two teaspoons a day to prevent colds, as well as to increase the protective functions of the body.

Tinctures

With hypertension, a clover-based tincture will help. We take 1 tbsp. l. red clover (fresh or dried), pour 250 ml of water and put in a water bath. Bring to a boil, then let it brew for half an hour and filter. The scheme of application is as follows: in the morning on an empty stomach we use half a glass, then ¼ before lunch and ¼ before dinner. The course of treatment is 10 days. Then a break for two weeks.

This remedy has a number of contraindications, among them: a tendency to diarrhea, increased blood clotting, thrombophlebitis, a course of taking estrogens, etc.

Red clover tincture is also prepared on vodka. In equal quantities, we take the flowers and leaves of the plant and pour them into a glass, airtight container. Fill with vodka. Let it brew for two weeks in a dark, cool place. Stir occasionally. We use 2 tbsp. l. daily before bed.

Indications for use:

• headaches and tinnitus;
• insomnia;
• atherosclerosis;
• angina;
• high pressure;
• anemia;
• bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
• joint pain;
• uterine bleeding and painful periods, etc.

With uterine bleeding, it is very important not to exceed the dosage indicated in the prescription. Otherwise, the tool may cause a backlash.

Folk remedy for loss of strength and beriberi. We take two tablespoons of dry inflorescences and fill them with a glass of boiling water. We insist 10 minutes. Add lemon juice and honey spoons. We drink water instead of tea 2-3 times a day.

Clover infusion is suitable for the treatment and prevention of oncology. Prepare it according to the recipe:

• We wash the fresh flowers of the meadow plant well.
• We take a three-liter jar and fill it.
• We tamp a little, set.
• Pour in two tablespoons of sugar.
• Fill with water, leave two centimeters from the edge unfilled.
• We cover the jar with gauze and let it brew for seven days.

The resulting infusion in the presence of cancer, we use half a glass before each meal for several months. In order to prevent cancer, we drink the infusion twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.

Means for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis: take two tablespoons of flowers and fill them with 200 ml of boiled water. Cover the ingredients with a lid and let it brew for several hours. We use 2 tbsp. l. twice a day before meals. Course - 21 days. This recipe removes bad cholesterol, and also cleanses the blood and blood vessels.

Decoctions

For a decoction to treat psoriasis and eczema you will need 100 g of red clover and violet inflorescences and 80 g of yarrow flowers. Mix the resulting collection and pour two tablespoons of raw materials into 400 ml of boiling water. We insist 6-7 hours, then filter. We use half a glass four times a day, before meals.

A decoction of meadow clover will help normalize cholesterol:

• It will take 1 tbsp. l. dry or fresh flowers and leaves of the plant.
• We put the raw materials in a saucepan and pour 100 ml of warm water into it.
• Cook in a water bath, over low heat, about 10 minutes.
• Let the water decoction brew for 40 minutes, then filter.
• We use 2 tbsp. l. decoction during lunch and before bedtime. The course of treatment is four months.
• After a month of taking, you need to take a week break, then continue the course of treatment.

For heart pain we take 15 purple inflorescences of the plant, pour 200 ml of water. Cook the ingredients in a water bath for 5 minutes (over low heat). After that, let the broth brew for 10 minutes and then filter. We drink three times a day before meals.

Useful decoction of grass after surgery and radiation therapy. We take 2 tbsp. l. purple flowers and pour them with 250 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 10-20 minutes, then filter. We use one glass before lunch and dinner. Women suffering from an estrogen-dependent form of cancer, it is better to refuse to use the decoction, as it provokes the growth of cancer cells.

With angina, colds and sinusitis you will need the following ingredients: 100 g of wild rose, 2 tbsp. l. meadow clover flowers and half a liter of water. Grind the wild rose and pour it into a thermos, add flowers. Fill with boiling water and insist 4-5 hours. We filter the infused broth and use half a cup in the morning and evening after meals.

Therapeutic bath and ointment

You can prepare a healing bath for hives and skin irritation. We fill the bath with water (the temperature should be 37-39 degrees Celsius) and pour clover infusion into it. The procedure should last no more than 20 minutes. Classic infusion recipe: 2 tbsp. spoons of inflorescences pour a glass of boiled hot water and leave for 15-20 minutes.

On the basis of red clover flowers, we prepare an ointment:

• We take 100 g of dried medicinal herbs.
• Fill it with 200 ml of sunflower oil (you can also use olive oil).
• We let it brew for ten days.
• The resulting product is filtered and put in the refrigerator.
• Used for surface application.

This tool has a disinfecting, healing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.

Indications for use: skin rashes (pimples, blackheads, acne, boils), fungal diseases, as well as infectious skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and bedsores).

Use in cosmetology

Red clover is actively used in cosmetology. Based on it, various skin and hair care products are made. The flowers of the plant are part of many creams, shampoos, gels and balms.

At home, cosmetics are used in the form of masks and special water decoctions with this ingredient, which rejuvenate the skin and enrich it with useful substances.

A mask based on this herb eliminates fine wrinkles, tightens the contour of the face and enriches the skin with vitamins. Also, the product with its base can even be used to eliminate dandruff and hair loss for rinsing instead of water.

For face

For a rejuvenating mask you will need four inflorescences and six leaves of the plant. Grind everything thoroughly and add a spoonful of honey. We grind all the components until a state of uniformity. Add a couple of drops of any essential oil. Mix and apply on face for 15 minutes. Then rinse with water.

Mask for all skin types:

• We take 1 tbsp. l. both parts of meadow clover.
• Grind in a blender, mortar or meat grinder.
• Add one egg, a spoonful of honey and kefir.
• Mix everything thoroughly until a homogeneous consistency is formed.
• Apply to face and décolleté for 20 minutes.
• It is important that the skin is pre-cleansed.
• Wash off with cool water and apply a nourishing cream.

Decoction for puffy eyes easy to prepare at home. We brew one teaspoon of dry or fresh leaves and inflorescences of the plant and brew them in half a glass. Next, cool and filter. We take cotton pads, dip them in the resulting solution. We close our eyes and make lotions, marking 20 minutes. After that, we wash ourselves with the remaining broth and let it dry on the face and eyes on its own.

For hair

For shine and strengthening hair you will need all parts of the plant (stems, leaves and inflorescences). Pour three tablespoons of crushed raw materials with two glasses of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave for three hours. Strain and rub daily into already washed hair.

Preparing an infusion against dandruff. We fill two tbsp. l. lilac flowers of the plant 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew and rub it into the scalp every evening. The movements should be light and massaging.

Clover juice helps against gray hair. We take 150 g of flowers and 100 g of meadow grass leaves, grind with a blender. The resulting juice is rubbed daily into the scalp.

The conditioner is suitable for oily hair. We take the ingredients: 3 tbsp. l. chopped clover florets and 2 tbsp. l. juniper berries. Pour 400 ml of boiling water and let it brew. We use a healing infusion for rinsing hair with each shampooing procedure.

Contraindications

Despite a number of medicinal properties, the plant has a number of very important contraindications. Meadow clover, if the dosage of ingredients is exceeded, can harm the body. It is very important not to overdo it with taking herbal medicines.

The main contraindications to the use of the remedy with red clover:

• During pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• If you have had a heart attack or stroke.
• Tendency to thrombosis and increased blood clotting.
• Frequent diarrhea and intestinal disorders.
• Estrogen-dependent forms of cancer, fibroids, ovarian oncology, endometriosis, uterine and breast cancer.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: ulcer, gastritis, pancreatitis, etc.

It is very important to use any folk remedies based on clover correctly. It is necessary to observe the dosage of the ingredients, otherwise various side effects in the form of:

• nausea;
• skin rashes;
• headache and muscle pain;
• vaginal bleeding;
• decrease in potency, etc.

Collection and preparation

To use the plant for medicinal purposes, it is very important to know how and where to collect the plant. The tool can be purchased in dried form at pharmacies, or can be collected in places remote from industrial enterprises, gas stations and roads.

Red clover (red): features of this plant from the genus Clover (Trifolium). About the use of meadow clover in the economy and cooking, about its medicinal properties.

Hello dear reader!

The main distinguishing features of plants of the genus Clover ( Trifolium) of the family: inflorescence head, in which characteristic moth flowers are collected, and complex trifoliate leaves. The Latin word "trifolium", which became the name of the genus, means "shamrock" in translation.

In the nature of central European Russia, there are 13 types of clover. The most numerous (and familiar) of these is red clover (Trifolium pratense), sometimes also called red clover.

This European plant was introduced into cultivation in Northern Italy in the 14th century, and over the centuries it has spread widely around the world. In Russia, it has been grown as a fodder crop since the 18th century. And now it is already difficult to say whether the appearance of meadow clover in our nature is due to natural causes, or is it the result of human economic activity. After all, the plant runs wild easily.

In Russia, red clover grows almost everywhere, except for the regions of the Far North. He has already mastered Siberia, reached the Far East, up to Kamchatka (this, of course, is the result of "flight into nature"). It grows in floodplain and upland meadows, forest edges, in thickets of shrubs, along roadsides.

Red clover meadow: description and photo

Red clover is a perennial grass with branched ascending stems, a taproot from which numerous lateral roots extend. Sometimes, however, it grows like a biennial.

Red clover in the field

The leaves are trifoliate, with broadly ovate and elliptical leaflets. On the upper, smooth side of the leaves, there is usually a pattern in the form of a whitish spot resembling a triangle. The edge of the leaf is finely toothed, with soft cilia.

The leaves are petiolate, growing on the stem in nodes covered with membranous stipules. Leaves are arranged alternately.

At the top of the stem, starting from the second year of life, one or two loose spherical flower heads are formed, in which moth flowers are collected with corollas from pink to dark red. A kind of "base" of the inflorescence-head are the two uppermost trifoliate leaves.

Blooming red clover in a summer meadow

The flowers of red clover, like other legumes, are bilaterally symmetrical. Sepals five. In the corolla, one can see a large upper lobe (“sail”), two side ones (“oars”), and two fused lower ones (“boat”). There are ten stamens, nine of which are fused at the base, one is free. One pestle.

Only to consider these details can only be done with a magnifying glass. Which, of course, most of us never do. The red clover corolla is a narrow and rather long tube.

Red clover blooms in late May - early June. Phenologists consider the mass flowering of this plant one of the signs of the coming summer. But flowering heads of red meadow clover can be found in September.

And in September you can see red clover blooming

The lowest flowers in the head open first, then the bloom spreads higher. Pollinated flowers turn brown, in their place fruits ripen - one-seeded egg-shaped beans.

Red clover flowers are rich in nectar. I think that many, like the author, picked clover flowers in childhood and sucked "honey" out of them. But meadow clover is considered quite “average” as a honey plant.

The fact is that most bees cannot extract nectar from a flower. The length of the proboscis is missing! And the main pollinators of red clover are not bees, but bumblebees, whose proboscis is much longer.

Charles Darwin, in his book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, once argued that the harvest of red clover depends on the number of cats in the area. The logic is as follows: bumblebees pollinate clover, field mice destroy bumblebee nests, cats catch mice and regulate their numbers.

One of the first followers of Darwin, Thomas Huxley, extended the "logical chain" and announced that the number of old maids affects the harvest of clover. Like, this category of the population most often likes to keep cats. However, it was already a kind of English humor.

Nevertheless, a good harvest of red clover seeds is really possible only in case of prosperity in the places where bumblebees grow. The use of chemical “plant protection products” by man, as well as the spring burning of dry grass, which is very beloved in our country, puts a big “cross” on this prosperity. But what about meatballs?

The plant tolerates mowing well. After mowing, new shoots ("otava") grow from the renewal buds located near the soil surface, on which inflorescences may still appear before autumn, and even the fruits will have time to ripen.

On the roots of red clover (as well as on the roots of most legumes), numerous swellings are formed - the so-called "nodules". Bacteria that can absorb nitrogen directly from the air settle in them. As a result, clover not only does not need nitrogen compounds from the soil, but also significantly enriches it with these substances. Serves as a natural green fertilizer.

The use of red clover

Red clover is an excellent fodder plant, rich not only in carbohydrates, but also in proteins. It is used both fresh and in the form of hay, haylage, silage. However, competent cattle breeders have always known that fresh clover is a serious danger for cows. Animals that have eaten this plant can even die! Especially if the clover is wet - from dew or rain.

The grass that got into the first section of the cow's stomach - the scar, is partially fermented there as a result of the activity of bacteria, in order to be later regurgitated for re-chewing (for which the cows received the status of "ruminant animals"). Cows like red clover very much, and, once in such a field or meadow, they eat greedily and a lot.

But clover is fermented in the rumen very strongly, with the release of a huge amount of gases and even foam. This phenomenon is called tympania, and it leads to bloating of the stomach, illness and even death of the animal.

A similar effect can be exerted not only by clover, but also by other legumes (for example, alfalfa), as well as young seedlings of cereals - wheat, rye, corn. Cow owners need to keep this in mind. In dry form, meadow clover is not dangerous for animals, on the contrary, it is very useful.

It is edible for us too. Young leaves can be used in vitamin salads. More often they are used (together with sorrel) for the preparation of green cabbage soup.

Red clover leaves can be harvested for future use. They are dried in the air, then dried in a dryer or an open oven. After rubbing dry leaves through a sieve, a powder is obtained. It is added to soups (at the rate of 1 tablespoon per serving), used to prepare seasonings, sauces.

Flowering heads of red clover are used to make a drink. Fresh inflorescences are dipped in boiling water (200 g per liter of water), boiled for 20 minutes and infused until cool.

Red clover inflorescences are most often used for medicinal purposes.

In famine years (for example, during the war), red clover heads were dried, crushed, mixed with flour and baked cakes. In our area, this product was called "clover khiva", and cakes - "khiva koloboks".

These koloboks were neither particularly tasty nor too healthy. According to the recollections of my father, whose childhood fell on the years of the war, I know that they "scratched their throats." And according to the story of my mother, one of her neighbors, a five-year-old boy, after wandering through the spring thawed patches, came to his grandmother with a statement: “Grandma! I baked koloboks!” And he proudly presented last year's dried up ... "cow cakes."

In general, it is far from being a delicacy, but just a means of surviving in a half-starved life…

I spoke about not too rich honey collections from red clover above. But "clover honey" still exists. True, the main collection of bees is still carried out from the flowers of other types of clover. An excellent honey plant is, for example, creeping clover (white).

And meadow clover is used as green manure. And not only as a "green fertilizer", which is important in itself - the plant enriches the soil with nitrogen compounds. Most of us are aware of the benefits of crop rotation, even in small home gardens. Intensive "pumping out" of the fertile layer from the soil when growing various vegetables, especially without their regular change ("potato after potato" from year to year) leads to its degradation and destruction.

The soil also needs rest. And you can give it by sowing meadow clover in some areas of the garden. It will fertilize the soil, only for greater effect, the cut grass must be returned to the beds for rotting. Now, in order to speed up the process, grass is treated with preparations like Baikal M - this is a concentrate of soil bacteria. In addition to fertilizing the soil, overgrown clover grass suppresses most of the weeds and prevents their seeds from reaching the soil.

Meadow clover itself, contrary to some opinions, is by no means a weed, all the more “malicious”. Plow the "clovered" area, loosen it ... and that's it! Vegetatively, "from the roots", the plant does not reproduce. It's not all the same, not creeping wheatgrass. But it is still necessary to regularly mow the clover grass used as green manure, not allowing it to give seeds. The seeds of this plant are very tenacious, they are able not to lose their germination capacity up to 20 years.

Medicinal properties of red clover

The chemical composition of the plant is well studied. This is understandable given its great economic importance.

Red clover contains essential oil, tannins, vitamins (C, E, B 1 , B 2 , carotene), organic acids, proteins and free amino acids, glycosides, flavonoids, and some other compounds.

Preparations based on red clover have anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, analgesic, antitumor, expectorant, antipyretic, diuretic and choleretic effects.

The medicinal properties of red clover are used mainly by folk medicine. The plant is used for a wide variety of diseases: for colds and coughs, for inflammatory processes in the bladder, for painful menstruation, inflammation of the ovaries, with a low content of hemoglobin in the blood (anemia), with atherosclerosis with normal blood pressure, with some other diseases.

Red clover is contraindicated in cardiovascular diseases, strokes and thrombophlebitis, and pregnancy. If the use of clover preparations causes stomach pain or diarrhea, then it should be discontinued.

For medicinal purposes, inflorescences-heads, clover grass (leaves, stems and inflorescences), in some cases - its roots are used. Harvesting of inflorescences is carried out in the phase of full flowering, in dry weather, breaking off or cutting off the flower heads along with the apical leaves. Similarly, grass is collected, choosing for this young shoots with intact leaves, without dark spots.

Dry in the shade, in a ventilated room or under a canopy. When using dryers, the temperature should not exceed 50 - 60 °. Properly dried raw materials retain their natural colors: the leaves should be green, and the inflorescences acquire a purple hue.

The main forms of medicinal use of red clover are decoction and infusion of flower heads, herb infusion.

To prepare an infusion of flower heads of red clover, take 1-2 tablespoons of dry crushed inflorescences, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, wrapped for slow cooling.

Drink a quarter cup 4 times a day 20 minutes before meals: for chronic cough, inflammatory processes in the bladder, anemia, gastritis, allergic skin diseases, vitiligo, vasculitis, atherosclerosis with normal pressure.

In case of painful and irregular menstruation, it is recommended to brew 2 tablespoons of crushed red clover flower heads with a glass of boiling water, insist 6-8 hours closed (during the night), strain and drink a quarter cup 4 times a day half an hour before meals.

With inflammation of the ovaries, a decoction of red clover roots is prepared. 1 tablespoon of the roots is poured with a glass of boiling water, boiled for half an hour in a water bath, allowed to cool and filtered.

Drink 1 tablespoon 4-5 times a day.

With inflammation of the appendages, the boiled roots themselves are eaten. Eat one tablespoon of roots a day, or add them to soups and cereals.

As you probably already understood, quite often meadow clover is used for medicinal purposes for women.

In diabetes, 2-3 flower heads are brewed with a glass of boiling water and drunk like tea.

Infusions of inflorescences and herbs are also used externally - for the treatment of wounds, abscesses, ulcers, burns. In this case, the infusions are made more concentrated. In summer, instead of infusions for external use, gruel from the leaves is also used.

Oil infusion of inflorescences is used for rubbing with pain in the joints, and with dropsy - taken orally 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day before meals.

Fill a jar with fresh heads of red clover, pour vegetable oil so that the inflorescences are completely immersed in oil. Insist 40 days. Store in refrigerator without straining.

Most of the tips for the therapeutic use of red clover are based on the book by Rim Akhmedov “Plants are your friends and enemies”. I advise those who are interested to find and read the book - a lot of useful information. There is another book by the same author - "Odolen Grass".

And yet my blog is not about treatment, but about plants and their properties. All recipes on the blog are provided for informational purposes only. Recommendations for the treatment of diseases should be given by a doctor!

Red clover is a widespread herb with interesting properties and a variety of uses. But we also have other, no less interesting types of clover. Read the blog "Forest pantry"!

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The medicinal properties and contraindications of red clover (meadow) are well known to European peoples. Fresh leaves and young shoots of this plant are eaten as a vitamin concentrate. In Rus', cabbage soup and botvinya were often cooked from stables, and, for example, the Caucasian peoples ferment young grass inflorescences to this day. It is also a valuable fodder plant for livestock and fertilizer for the soil. Essential oil from it is used in perfumery and cosmetology. In Celtic mythology, the shamrock is a revered, sacred plant. It brings good luck, symbolizes the unity of the three mother goddesses in Celtic magic. Therefore, the grass is considered feminine, but it also benefits men.

Features of a medicinal plant

How to collect clover? What is included in its chemical composition? Why is this medicinal plant so valuable? And what are its contraindications?

area

Red clover is so common and unpretentious that it is easy to find in different parts of the world. All varieties of this herb are found in the European part. Some varieties grow in Central Asia, some - in the Far East. The plant also takes root in North Africa.

Clover white, or creeping.
Clover hybrid, or pink.
Clover medium.

Types of clover

There are about 10 varieties of red clover, all of which are used for medicinal purposes. But 245 species of clover are also described. In folk medicine, the most famous are plowed, creeping, medium, pink. What are their features?

You can also purchase varietal seeds of decorative clover with dark red leaves that lie beautifully on the ground, and its shoots quickly take root and grow. The advantage of the variety is that it is a perennial. It can be planted in flowerbeds and alpine slides.

Botanical characteristic

Meadow clover. Botanical illustration from O. V. Tome's book "Flora von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz", 1885.

Description of red clover:

• root: taproot, short, gives many shoots; swelling with nitrogen (natural fertilizer) is formed on the root, so fields are often sown with clover;
• stems: height from 15 to 60 cm, branched, ascending;
• leaves: elliptical, trifoliate, with long petioles, bright green with a light spot in the center;
• flowers: collected in single heads, spherical, red, purple, crimson.

Red clover flowers are also considered a good honey plant, but the bees cannot get to the nectar because of the short proboscis. Bumblebees or breeds of bees with a long proboscis are more likely to pollinate grass.

Procurement of raw materials

How to collect and harvest raw materials in order to preserve the medicinal properties of clover?

• collection. The most valuable thing in clover is the inflorescence. Grass is harvested during the flowering period. Depending on the climatic zone - from May to September. It is better to shoot whole inflorescences with upper leaves, which also contain valuable substances.
• Drying. It is carried out in natural conditions - in attics or under awnings. Herbalists do not recommend overdrying the grass, otherwise it will lose its beneficial properties. The heads of the inflorescences should not crumble and disintegrate.
• Storage . The grass is packed in linen bags, stored in a dry place for 1 year, each new season the raw materials are renewed.

The finished raw material has no smell, the grass is slightly bitter in taste.

Healing effect and chemical composition

How useful is clover? The herb has the following spectrum of pharmacological action:

• astringent;
• emollient;
• anti-inflammatory;
• wound healing;
• painkiller;
• antiseptic;
• diuretic;
• regenerating;
• restorative;
• vascular strengthening;
• diaphoretic;
• expectorant;
• blood-purifying;
• vitamin.

The composition of clover grass contains the following substances:

• flavonoids (they are also abundant in the leaves);
• essential oil, which contains furfural - an antimicrobial substance;
• fatty oil (many in seeds);
• glycosides;
• organic acids;
• vitamins E, C, A, P, K, B1 and B2;
• tannins;
• resins;
• cellulose;
• amino acids;
• alkaloids;
• proteins and fats;
• phosphorus and calcium salts.

Indications and contraindications

Red clover is used in folk medicine internally and externally. What diseases is this herb effective for?

• Vascular and muscle diseases. Clover helps lower cholesterol, so it is useful to take it for atherosclerosis. It is prescribed for muscle inflammation (myositis).
• Respiratory diseases. Decoctions are drunk for bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, colds, flu, SARS. They are also prescribed for shortness of breath, bronchial asthma.
• Diseases of the kidneys and liver. It has a mild diuretic and secretory action. Helps with urolithiasis, cleanses the liver and blood.
• With hypertension. Clover is taken from pressure with hypertension, the grass relieves headaches, eliminates dizziness.
• Biogenic stimulant. The plant can be used as a general tonic for the prevention of viral infections. For example, in Central Asia it is customary to drink it with hot milk. Grass is taken for fatigue, anemia, alcohol intoxication, beriberi, metabolic disorders, weight loss or gain.
• Outdoor use. Clover is effective in various fungal diseases, since it has fungicidal (antifungal) properties. They are treated with boils, purulent wounds, ulcers, burns, psoriasis. With the help of compresses from fresh juice and infusions, they relieve rheumatic and neuralgic pains, soften the skin. Also, the tool is used in otolaryngology for gargling. Microclysters are made from it for inflammation of the rectum.

What else helps clover? There is information in herbalists that clover is effective in oncology. For malignant tumors, the remedy is taken orally, for cancerous skin lesions, lotions and ointments are applied.

Red clover contraindications: chronic diarrhea and constipation of various nature; thrombophlebitis; phlebeurysm; pregnancy; estrogen-dependent form of cancer (more often in women with menopause); acute forms of chronic kidney and liver diseases. In heart disease and after a stroke, the herb can also be harmful, so a doctor's consultation is necessary before starting treatment.

The use and preparation of clover at home

The plant is well known in the countryside. It is grown as livestock feed. Often used in cooking: dry inflorescences are put in soups as a seasoning; in the spring, fortified salads are made from the leaves, compotes are cooked from the inflorescences. What medicines can be prepared from this herb?

Decoction and infusion

A decoction and infusion are taken orally for all the above diagnoses and symptoms. Steep decoctions are prepared for external use: compresses, lotions, poultices are made from them, they are added to therapeutic baths. These remedies help well with purulent abscesses, contribute to the rapid healing of tissues.

Decoction preparation

1. Take 1 tbsp. l. dry inflorescences.
2. Pour in a glass of boiling water.
3. Boil 1 minute.
4. Leave for 1 hour.

The broth is filtered and taken as tea, ½ cup 3 times a day (preferably after meals). To get a steeper broth for a glass of water, take 3 tbsp. l. raw materials.

Preparation of the infusion

1. Take 2 tbsp. l. dry inflorescences.
2. Pour in a glass of boiling water.
3. Insist 2 hours.

Take either ½ cup 3 times a day, or ¼ cup - 4 times. It is a good expectorant and astringent.

Tincture

What is the use of red clover tincture?

• It is often prescribed for atherosclerosis, headaches, tinnitus.
• They drink for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, with overwork, anemia, oncological diagnoses.
• It can also be used externally for the treatment of the throat and oral cavity (in diluted form).
• Do not use for burns, open wounds, dry skin.
• Take with caution at high blood pressure.

Vodka tincture recipe

1. Take 4 tbsp. l. dry inflorescences.
2. Pour ½ liter of vodka (you can dilute 40% alcohol).
3. Insist 10 days in a warm place.

The medicine is taken in 1 tsp. before every meal. It is also recommended to drink tincture at night.

Juice

In folk medicine, fresh clover juice is used. For its preparation, fresh inflorescences, leaves and stems are taken. They are passed through a meat grinder, juice is squeezed out of the mass through gauze. Take usually 1/3 cup 3 times a day. The action of juice is the same as the action of decoctions and infusions. However, it retains much more vitamins. This remedy benefits after a long illness, restores strength, strengthens the immune system, cleanses the blood. The juice is also used externally. You can find information that they wash their eyes with inflammation. It is necessary to treat this with caution and consult with an optometrist. The acids contained in the plant can harm the mucous membranes of the eyes.

Oil extract

The emollient healing properties of clover have been confirmed. Its substances penetrate into the thickness of the skin, nourish it, increase elasticity, and protect it from the adverse effects of the external environment. Therefore, the plant in the form of decoctions and infusions is widely used in cosmetology. An oil extract is also made from it, which is used for medical purposes - the affected areas of the skin (burns, ulcers, wounds) are treated.

Oil Extract Recipe

1. Take 1 part of dry inflorescences.
2. Pour in 2 parts olive oil.
3. Insist 2 weeks.

Apply externally, make compresses at night. Used as a cosmetic for dry skin care.

Features of use in women, men, children

• For women . Decoctions are applied externally - for douching with inflammation of the vagina. They are also taken orally with inflammatory discharge, painful menstruation. In scientific medicine, clover is not used as widely as in folk medicine. Nevertheless, studies have been conducted with the use of herbs for menopause, and its effectiveness has been proven. Clover contains isoflavones - phytoestrogens. These substances are included in hormone replacement therapy for menopause. They have far fewer side effects than synthetic hormones. The state of health and mood of women taking decoctions of herbs improves markedly, and the frequency of hot flashes and other unpleasant symptoms of menopause also decreases.
• For men . Grass refers to natural aphrodisiacs. It contains substances that increase male sexual activity. A tincture is prepared from clover seeds in the following proportion: 1 tbsp. l. seeds pour 1 glass of red wine. The mixture is steamed in a water bath for 30 minutes. Tincture is taken in a long course, 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
• For children . Most often, clover tea is given to children with diarrhea, to improve digestion and appetite. Decoctions well eliminate intestinal colic and spasms. Also, exudative diathesis is treated with grass (popularly - scrofula). With this diagnosis, it is shown to bathe children in decoctions or rinse the body with them after bathing. Alcoholic clover tinctures are contraindicated for children.

Useful properties and contraindications of clover in folk medicine have long been known. However, in scientific medicine, the herb has not yet been sufficiently studied, so doctors rarely prescribe it. The plant is primarily valued for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This is an effective cough and diarrhea remedy, helps with atherosclerosis, neuralgia, rheumatism, heals festering wounds, abscesses and burns well.

Clover is a perennial plant with well-branched ascending stems. Clover stem is pubescent, growing up to 50–60 cm in height. Clover leaves are oval. The flowering stems of the plant, which have trifoliate leaves, emerge from the axils of the basal leaves. Trifoliate leaves have a peculiarity: they fold by night and open only in the morning. Clover flowers are pink or red, they are collected in inflorescences - heads. The fruit of the clover is an egg-shaped bean with one seed inside. Clover flowering begins in May and lasts until September. The fruits ripen at the end of summer. Clover prefers to grow among shrubs, in meadows and in clearings in forests.

Clover cultivation

Clover propagates by seed, however, for these purposes, purchased seeds will bring a greater effect. Seeds should be sown in a place that has already been cleared of weeds and dug up. If the seeds were sown in early spring, then after 7-10 days shoots will appear. Clover needs very little time for the formation of the root system and the development of stems with leaves. Before the second year of vegetation, foliage should be poured onto the soil, thereby protecting the clover from weeds.

Clover is not a hardy plant, so it is not difficult to grow it. It needs regular watering and organic nitrogen fertilization. Since clover can grow very quickly, you need to periodically thin the plant.

Useful properties of clover

Clover leaves and heads contain vitamins of various groups, as well as carotene, minerals and salicylic acid. Clover grass contains flavonoids that improve fat metabolism in the treatment of atherosclerosis. The plant's herb reduces cholesterol levels. Clover gives the body the ability to cope with oxygen starvation, improves immunity, ionizes radiation and poisoning. Clover heads contain analogues of female sex hormones - phytoestrogens.

Clover tea promotes the formation of milk, so lactating women drink it. Due to the content of salicylic acid in the plant, it is used for sore throats, colds, and lung diseases. Clover has an anti-inflammatory effect, for this reason it is used for skin diseases and rheumatism.

Application of clover

Clover has long been used in folk medicine in the form of infusions, teas and decoctions. Decoctions of the plant help with exhaustion of the body, anemia, and they are also used as a diaphoretic or diuretic. A decoction of clover roots is recommended for hernia, tumors and inflammation of the appendages. A decoction is prepared from the leaves and flowers of the plant, which is used for headaches, rickets, asthenia, anemia and shortness of breath, in addition, it is an anticarcinogenic agent. Clover is used for pulmonary tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, bleeding and heavy menstruation.

Clover-based preparations are used not only inside, but also externally: for example, an infusion or decoction of clover flowers and roots can be used as a rinse for gingivitis, sore throat and inflammation of the throat and mouth. Lotions can be made from clover infusions and used for eye diseases and abscesses.

Clover tea for lactation. It is very easy to prepare. To do this, take 10 grams of clover heads and the same amount of dry St. John's wort. Add 20 grams of currant to this mixture and brew this collection with boiling water.

Clover tea for blood purification. To prepare it, you need to pour 5 clover inflorescences (dry) with 250 ml of boiling water, leave to brew for a quarter of an hour and strain. Next, add a teaspoon of honey and take 2 cups a day for one to two months.

Decoction of clover roots. Take 10 grams of crushed plant roots and fill them with 100 ml of boiling water. Putting it on fire, hold it in a water bath for half an hour. After removing from the water bath, filter the composition and bring to the original volume with boiling water. It is necessary to take such a decoction before meals no more than 5 times a day in the presence of inflammation of the ovaries or tumors.

Clover infusion for headaches, anemia and atherosclerosis. Take 1 tablespoon of powder from the leaves of the plant and pour a glass of boiling water. After leaving for 40 minutes to brew, take 2 tablespoons three times a day before meals.

Contraindications to the use of clover

People with diarrhea, stomach pain, heart disease should not take drugs from this medicinal plant. Pregnant women should also not use a decoction of clover. Also, doctors do not recommend treating this plant for people who suffer from an estrogen-dependent form of cancer.

• growing clover
• clover description text in scientific style

The clover plant belongs to the legume family. Clover can reach up to 50 cm in height.

Clover is both annual and perennial. The flowers are white or red and are collected in the form of heads. The leaves are trifoliate, rarely found with 4 petals. Very often you can hear about the symbol of good luck - if you find a clover with 4 leaves. Roots can sometimes become woody.

Genus: Clover

Family: Legumes

Class: Dicotyledons

Order: Legumes

Department: Flower

Kingdom: Plants

Domain: Eukaryotes

A distinctive feature of clover is that only bees and bumblebees pollinate it. After the flowers have faded, the fruit remains - a bean, which contains 1 or 2 seeds. Clover is a fodder plant, but there are also several types of ornamental clover.

Special bacteria live in the roots of clover, which help to saturate the earth with nitrogen. The most common varieties of clover are red clover (meadow) and white clover (creeping), which outwardly differ in the color of their flowers. There are also rarer types of clover.

Where does clover grow?

The clover plant can be found on all continents of our planet, except Antarctica. Feels good in the temperate zones of the continents, in northern Africa and even in Australia. Most often you can find it in glades, edges and meadows. It grows well in cities. Few people are not familiar with this plant since childhood.

Medicinal properties of clover

Clover has anti-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, choleretic, diaphoretic, diuretic, hemostatic, expectorant, astringent properties and is used in the treatment of many diseases.

Clover is both consumed internally in the form of decoctions, and lotions are made. This plant helps to relieve inflammation in the body, purify the blood, relieve swelling and remove excess fluid from the body. helps with colds, headaches, atherosclerosis. And lotions can be used for wounds, burns, as well as skin diseases.

Clover honey is also very useful. at the same time it is very pleasant in taste and smells fragrant.

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