Contents
What is red clover?
Red (meadow) clover belongs to the legume family. The international botanical name is Trifolium pratense “trifolium”. The medicinal effect of this plant on humans has long been studied, therefore it is widely used as an effective remedy for traditional medicine for the treatment of certain pathological conditions. The components of meadow clover have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, astringent and analgesic effects. It promotes the activation of recovery processes, facilitates expectoration and mucus discharge. In addition, the herb is used to prepare various dishes.
Red clover does not require special conditions for growth and is found in the countries of Europe, Central and Western Asia, North Africa. On the territory of the Russian Federation, it is most common in the European part of Russia, Siberia, the Far East and Kamchatka. Clover is susceptible to the impact of anthropogenic factors, therefore it quickly dies in adverse conditions, after which it is difficult to restore. The plant grows in moderately wet meadows and dry lands, occurs in forest edges and clearings, it can be found in bushes and on roadsides.
Red clover is characterized as a honey plant, but only certain types of bees with long proboscises can extract honey from it. Therefore, the productivity of 1 ha of sowing is no more than 6 kg of honey. Such honey is distinguished by its special healing properties, it does not succumb to sugaring processes for a long time and does not lose its properties. The plant is widely used for feeding livestock, sometimes planted for decorative purposes. The remains of clover are used as natural fertilizers for the soil.
Some elements of the plant are used in cooking. So young shoots and leaves can be used in a salad or for cooking cabbage soup. Among the peoples of the Caucasus, it is customary to make preparations from clover for the winter by fermenting them.
The flowering of this herbaceous plant begins in the first decade of June, and the collection of fruits – in August.
Chemical composition
The main components of the plant determine its medicinal properties and features of the impact on the human body. The composition of red clover includes the following chemical compounds:
Phytosterols.
Flavonoids (quercetin, pratoletin, kaempferol).
Fatty acids (most in seeds).
Essential oils, which are distinguished by a strong antimicrobial effect, due to the methyl coumarin and furfural included in the composition).
Organic acids (ketoglutaric, p-coumaric and salicylic).
Essential amino acids.
Glycosides (isotrifolin and trifolin).
Alkaloids.
Cellulose.
Tannins.
resins.
Proteins and fats.
Water- and fat-soluble vitamins E, A, P, K, C, B1 and B2.
Trace elements (calcium in the form of salts and phosphorus).
Indications for use
Clover is widely used in medical practice for the correction and treatment of certain pathological conditions and a number of diseases.
Red meadow clover is shown for medicinal purposes with:
Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, hypertension (contributes to a significant decrease in blood pressure and eliminates headaches).
Clinical manifestations of anemia.
Rheumatism, myositis, arthritis and polyarthritis.
Respiratory diseases (pneumonia, bronchitis, acute respiratory viral infections, pathologies of ENT organs, influenza, bronchial asthma).
Diseases of the reproductive sphere (inflammatory processes in the ovaries, uterus, painful menstruation, menopausal changes, in men – with sexual impotence).
Malignant neoplasms (both for systemic use and for local external exposure).
Skin diseases (mechanical damage with bleeding of varying intensity, thermal burns, trophic ulcers, vitiligo, vasculitis, fungal skin lesions).
Inflammatory processes accompanied by the formation of a purulent secret (panaritium, secondarily infected wounds, boils, abscesses, bedsores and ulcers).
How useful is red clover for the female body?
In the course of laboratory studies, it was determined that phytoestrogens, hormone-like substances, are present in significant amounts in clover extract. Their maximum concentration is observed in clover flowers. The following types of isoflavones are defined here:
Genistein.
Daidzein.
Formononetin and others.
Phytoestrogens act on the same receptors as female sex hormones, therefore, at sufficient concentration, they contribute to a similar effect on organs and tissues, namely:
Reducing pain during menstrual bleeding.
Normalization of the functional state after the onset of menopause.
Minimize wrinkles, increase skin elasticity and tone.
Strengthening bones, restoring calcium metabolism.
Normalization of cholesterol metabolism.
Phytoestrogens bind to the same receptors as hormones, so
[Video] About life and health with Marusya – what will help and how to take red clover when you can’t drink it: