Red Clover Monograph

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

Quick Reference

Common names: red clover, purple clover, meadow clover
Latin name: Trifolium pratense
lant family: Fabaceae (legume family)
Parts used: flowers (primary), leaves (secondary)
Primary actions: alterative, lymphatic, expectorant, antispasmodic, nutritive
Best preparations: infusion (tea), tincture, syrup, poultice
Safety rating: generally very safe with specific considerations Grown at Wild Clover Farm: yes — wild and cultivated

Botanical Description and Identification

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a gentle, nourishing medicinal herb traditionally used to support detoxification, respiratory health, and overall vitality. With its soft pink-purple blossoms and trifoliate leaves, red clover is both familiar and abundant in meadows and pastures.

Plant Characteristics

Flowers:
Rounded flower heads composed of many small tubular florets. Flowers range from rosy pink to purple and often display a pale crescent near the base of each floret. Blooms appear from late spring through early fall and are highly attractive to bees.

Leaves:
Leaves are trifoliate, with three oval leaflets per leaf. Each leaflet often bears a pale V-shaped marking near the center. Leaves are soft, slightly hairy, and medium green.

Stems:
Stems are upright to spreading, lightly hairy, and somewhat hollow. Plants typically reach 12 to 24 inches tall.

Roots:
A branching taproot with nitrogen-fixing nodules, characteristic of legumes. Roots improve soil fertility and structure.

Identification Notes

Red clover is identified by:

• three-leaflet leaves with pale markings
• rounded pink to purple flower heads
• soft, slightly hairy stems and leaves

It may be confused with white clover (Trifolium repens), which has white flowers and a creeping growth habit. Red clover is preferred medicinally due to its larger flowers and higher concentration of active compounds.

Native Range and Habitat

Red clover is native to Europe, western Asia, and northwest Africa. It has been widely naturalized in North America and other temperate regions.

It grows best in:

• meadows and pastures
• roadsides
• lawns and fields
• open, sunny areas with moderate moisture

Red clover prefers well-drained soil and does not tolerate prolonged drought or waterlogging.

Growing Red Clover

Climate and Growing Conditions

Red clover grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

Sunlight:
Full sun to partial shade.

Soil:
Prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

Water:
Moderate moisture is ideal. Red clover performs best with regular rainfall or irrigation.

Temperature:
Cold hardy and tolerant of cool climates. Growth slows during extreme heat.

Propagation

From seed:
Seeds may be direct sown in spring or fall.

• Lightly scatter seeds on prepared soil
• Press gently into the surface
• Keep soil moist until germination

Germination typically occurs in 7 to 14 days.

Red clover readily self-seeds if allowed to flower and mature.

Care and Maintenance

• Minimal fertilization required due to nitrogen-fixing roots
• Mow or cut back after flowering to encourage regrowth
• Allow some plants to flower fully for pollinators and reseeding

Red clover has few pest or disease issues and is commonly used as a cover crop.

Harvesting Red Clover

Flowers

Best time:
Harvest when flower heads are fully open, vibrant, and free of browning.

The best time of day is midmorning, after dew has dried.

How to harvest:
Pinch or snip flower heads just below the base. Harvest frequently during peak bloom.

Leaves

Leaves may be harvested lightly and used fresh or dried, though flowers are preferred medicinally.

Drying and Storage

Red clover flowers must be dried carefully to prevent mold.

Drying:
Spread flowers in a single layer on screens in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space. Turn daily. Drying typically takes several days.

Flowers are fully dry when they are crisp and no longer cool to the touch.

Storage:
Store dried flowers in airtight containers away from light and heat. Shelf life is approximately one year.

Traditional and Modern Uses

Red clover is best known as a gentle alterative and lymphatic herb.

Primary Uses

• Supports detoxification and lymphatic movement
• Traditionally used for skin conditions
• Supports respiratory health and mild coughs
• Provides gentle nutritive support
• Traditionally used during life transitions, including menopause

Red clover has a long history of use in European and North American folk medicine.

Energetics and Traditional Classification

• Temperature: cool
• Moisture: moist
• Taste: sweet
• Tissue affinities: lymphatic system, blood, skin
• Energetic indications: stagnation, heat, chronic inflammation

Red clover is traditionally classified as a lymphatic alterative, gently supporting detoxification and lymphatic movement. It is especially indicated in chronic skin conditions and inflammatory states.

Primary Herbal Actions

• Alterative: supports gradual detoxification
• Lymphatic: promotes lymph movement
• Anti-inflammatory: reduces chronic inflammation
• Antispasmodic: eases tension
• Nutritive: gently nourishes tissues

Preparation Methods

Red Clover Infusion

Infusion is the most common and traditional preparation.

Steep dried flowers in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Tea may be consumed daily for gentle, long-term support.

Red Clover Tincture

Tincture is used for lymphatic and alterative support, especially when long-term use is desired.

Red Clover Syrup

Prepared from infusion and honey, syrup is used for coughs and respiratory irritation.

External Use

Strong tea may be used externally as a wash or compress for skin irritation.

Safety and Contraindications

Red clover is generally very safe.

• Safe for long-term use in most individuals
• Traditionally avoided during pregnancy due to hormonal activity
• Use caution with hormone-sensitive conditions
• Use caution when taking blood-thinning medications

Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur.

Wild Clover Farm Notes

At Wild Clover Farm, red clover grows abundantly in pasture and meadow areas. Flowers are harvested during peak bloom for teas and tinctures, while many plants are left untouched to support pollinators and soil health.

Red clover serves as both a medicinal ally and a soil-building plant, reflecting the interconnected nature of plant health, land stewardship, and human wellness.

Oklahoma/Zone 7 Growing Notes

• Native to Oklahoma - common in pastures, roadsides, fields
• Loves Oklahoma's climate - heat-tolerant, cold-hardy
• Blooms April-June (main flush) with sporadic fall blooming
• Short-lived perennial (2-3 years) but self-sows freely
• Red clover is abundant in Oklahoma pastures and fields; forage from clean, pesticide-free areas, or scatter seed in a meadow area and let it naturalize

Foraging:

• Common in meadows, pastures, and roadsides
• Harvest flowers during full bloom
• Choose clean areas away from traffic
• Avoid browned or moldy blossoms
• Harvest lightly to support continued flowering

Common Questions

Is red clover safe long term?
Yes, for most individuals.

Does red clover affect hormones?
Use cautiously with hormone-sensitive conditions.

References and Further Reading

• Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise Herbal
• Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism
• Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult a qualified health care provider before using herbal products, especially for chronic conditions, during pregnancy, or while taking medications.