Red Clover aka Trifolium Pratense

Good day! I hope your week so far has been at LEAST mildly interesting and hopefully peaceful. The plant we have in the spotlight today is: Red Clover. 

The Latin name of this plant is Trifolium pratense.

Red clover belongs in the legume family, along with peas and beans. The most interesting bit of information I found about this plant is that it contains compounds known as isoflavones, which are also found in soy products and others in the legume family. Because these compounds might act like estrogen in the body, red clover is known to ease menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and night sweats. In addition to easing menopausal symptoms, the isoflavones in red clover are believed to slow down the progression of osteoporosis (bone loss) and boost bone mineral density. Fascinating!

This plant is also packed with healthy nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. If you're harvesting your own red clover, you'll want to use the flowering part of the plant to make your tea infusions or tinctures.

Have a magical day!
Jenny

PLANT INGESTION WARNING!
As with all herbs and plants you plan to ingest, never ingest them before doing your own research and/or talking with your doctor - it’s possible that medications you take or health conditions you have could have a negative effect if paired with red clover. Better safe than sorry!


Photo credit goes to Ivar Leidus