Red Clover (Trifolium praetense) is the state flower of Vermont!
The flowers are a favorite for bees (honeybees our are state insect) and if consumed you can taste the subtle sweetness that will be concentrated into honey. You can make it as an infusion (tea) or take it as a tincture.
It is commonly mixed into various herbal cancer treatments such as Essiac tea and Hoxsey formula, for its alterative, gentle lymphagogue, and anti tumor effects. They are most commonly used in breast, lymph and lung cancers.
Equally, it is commonly used in hormone balancing formulas because of the alterative, lymphagogue and phytoestrogen qualities to improve irregular blood flow and clotting as well as support women through menopause.
I’m frequently asked about the safety of phytoestrogens. They are especially safe when taken as a whole herb, such as Red Clover or Flax because they act as an estrogen modulator. They mildly stimulate receptors in people who make too little estrogen and block the receptors in people who make too much. The safety on modified soy phytoestrogens makes me a bit nervous since they were created in a lab without the tremendous amount of history to back up their usage the way whole plants have been used.
Red clover flowers are also great for dry, irritable and spastic coughs. Even better is that this flower has been shown to be antibacterial against Gram positive bacteria, such as the organism that causes Strep throat (Group A streptococcus). The flowers can be dried and used later, but I wouldn’t store them for longer than one year until the next growing cycle.
And, as always, wildcraft responsibly! The bees need those flowers too and we want to keep the population of these beneficial plants healthy, so don’t over-harvest. And don’t pick herbs that are in questionably contaminated areas like the side of a road or near a drainage ditch.
Jen Williamson, ND is a native of Buffalo, New York who earned her Bachelor of Science at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania and a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. While in medical school, she became very involved in the student community, most notably as the President of the Student Government Association. For her service, upon graduation she was given the Outstanding Leadership Award.
In the spirit of Docere, the Naturopathic principle of the doctor’s role as teacher, Dr. Williamson was an adjunct professor in the Complementary and Alternative Therapies program at Daemen College. She has had articles in a variety of publications, includingNaturopathic Doctor News and Review, SheKnows.com, local Buffalo magazines and papers, as well as her own newsletter, blog and website. While practicing in Buffalo, she also offered over 30 different classes to the public at various events and locations.
In 2012, Dr. Williamson moved to Vermont to expand her practice of Naturopathic Medicine as well as provide an atmosphere that resonates with her medicine for her son, Victor, and husband, David. As a Primary Care Physician at Avalon Natural Medicine, Dr. Williamson focuses on mental/emotional, gastrointestinal, and endocrine disorders. Most of her treatment plans include a combination of nutritional, herbal and homeopathic remedies, but she has also received additional training in Hair Trace Mineral Analysis and Bowel Nosodes.
