Clover flower structure. Red clover from cholesterol. Procurement of red clover

perennial herbaceous plant with straight, slightly pubescent stems, small pale or dark red small flowers collected in spherical heads. A good honey plant and an excellent fodder plant. Improves soil fertility by enriching with nitrogenous compounds. It is widely used in medicine, in particular dermatology.

Ask the experts

flower formula

In medicine

Red clover is not an official plant and is produced in the form of dietary supplements.

In dermatology

Clover is taken orally for allergic (as an antipruritic, normalizing the function of the adrenal cortex) and infectious diseases. allergic diseases with a predominant inflammatory lesion of the blood vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissue(as an anti-inflammatory and reducing the permeability of the walls of blood vessels). Outwardly, lotions are made from clover inflorescences for burns, poultices for boils. A decoction of the herb is used for baths for allergic skin diseases, hyperkeratosis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, furunculosis. Fresh juice, decoction or infusion of flowers is rubbed into the hair roots in case of premature graying. A warm decoction of flowers is applied to areas of the skin covered with acne.

In the national economy

Vitamin concentrates are obtained from clover leaves. Essential oil is used in aromatic compositions. Red clover is a valuable honey plant, but nectar is available only to bees with a long proboscis, so honey productivity is only 6 kg of honey per hectare of crops. Salads are prepared from clover leaves, they are seasoned with green cabbage soup, botvinya. In the Caucasus, young unblown flower heads are fermented like cabbage and added to green salads.

Classification

Meadow clover (lat. Trifolium pratense) is a plant from the genus Clover (lat. Trifolium), the legume family (lat. Fabaceae, or Papilionaceae).

Botanical description

The plant is perennial, herbaceous, has an ascending or erect stem from 20 to 60 cm tall and alternate leaf arrangement. The root is taproot, branched, often with nodules of nitrogen-assimilating bacteria. The leaves are petiolate, with stipules, trifoliate, elliptical plates, often with a white pattern on the upper side, folding at night. The flowers are papilionaceous, pale or dark red, collected in capitate inflorescences, surrounded from below by apical leaves. Red clover flower formula: P(5)K1+2+(2)T(9)+1P1. The fruit is a one-seeded ovoid bean with small ovoid flattened yellow or brown seeds. Blooms from May to September.

Spreading

It grows throughout Europe, in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), Western and Central Asia. On the territory of Russia, red clover grows almost everywhere, except for the Far North, in moderately humid and dry meadows, glades, edges, in bushes, along the outskirts of fields throughout Russia. It is cultivated as a valuable fodder crop that improves soil fertility.

Distribution regions on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

Medicinal raw materials serve as inflorescences with apical leaves. They are harvested during flowering. A whole inflorescence with a wrapper, without peduncles, is torn off by hand or cut off with a knife, loosely placed in baskets and quickly dried in the shade, under a canopy or in a dryer at a temperature of 60 - 70 ° C, making sure that the raw material does not dry out, as it loses its value. Inflorescences are stored in a closed container for 2 years, grass - 1 year. Sometimes roots are harvested as medicinal raw materials. They are dried in the usual way.

Chemical composition

The aerial part of clover contains trifolin and isotrifolin glycosides, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins, vitamins C, B, E and K, carotene, phenolcarboxylic acids, coumarins, fatty oil, tannins, quinones, essential oil, higher fatty acid, trace elements.

During the flowering period, the aerial part contains protein (2-25%), fats (2.5-3.5%), carotene (up to 0.01%), ascorbic acid (up to 0.12%), free amino acids (up to 1.5%), fiber (24-26%), nitrogen-free extractives (more than 40%), calcium and phosphorus salts. Flavones and flavonols (kaempferol, quercetin, pratoletin, etc.), isoflavones (genistein, formononetin, etc.) were found in the grass and flowers.

Up to 150 kg/ha of nitrogen is accumulated in the roots after mowing of the aerial parts. The seeds contain up to 12% semi-drying fatty oil.

Pharmacological properties

Clover has expectorant, diuretic, choleretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-sclerotic, antitoxic, hemostatic, wound healing, analgesic, and antitumor properties.

Application in traditional medicine

In folk medicine, inflorescences (flowers) collected during the period of full flowering are used. , less often the aerial part (grass). Here are some of the recipes:

A decoction of clover inflorescences: brew 20 g of inflorescences in 250 ml of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes, then leave for 30 minutes, strain. Drink 50 ml 3-4 times a day urolithiasis, chronic cough, bronchial asthma, anemia, scrofula. External use for lotions for burns, frostbite, bedsores, abscesses, wash festering wounds, ulcers.

Clover Herb Infusion: brew 40 g of grass in 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain. Drink 50 ml 3-4 times a day for coughs, colds.

Infusion of clover inflorescences: brew 30 g of flower heads in 200 ml of boiling water, then leave for 1 hour in a warm place in a sealed container, strain. Take 50 ml 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals for chronic cough, gastritis, skin diseases, colitis, cholecystitis, diathesis. Wash wounds, ulcers, make lotions on inflamed places, carbuncles, boils.

Tincture of Leafy Tops of Clover: pour 500 ml of 40% alcohol or strong vodka 40 g of raw materials, leave for 14 days, strain. Take 20 ml before lunch or at bedtime for atherosclerosis with normal blood pressure accompanied by headaches and tinnitus. The course of treatment is 3 months with a break of 10 days. After 6 months, the course of treatment can be repeated.

Medicinal properties clover preparations are used for anemia, painful periods, inflammation Bladder, plentiful uterine bleeding, for the prevention of atherosclerosis, externally for baths with rickets in children. A decoction of the roots is indicated for inflammation of the ovaries and how anticancer agent. Fresh crushed leaves are used externally to stop bleeding, heal wounds, burns, abscesses and rheumatic pains. Fresh juice from the aerial part of clover is effective in suppuration nail bed and fingers, skin tuberculosis in the treatment of panaritium, hernia, diseases of the ear and nose . Red clover grass is also used for acute diseases respiratory tract, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, chronic rheumatism, asthenia and kidney diseases.

Clover is contraindicated for use in pregnant women, as well as in varicose veins veins, thrombophlebitis. Also, clover should not be used by people who have a tendency to diarrhea, stomach pain, estrogen-dependent cancer. It is not recommended to use decoctions and infusions of clover for heart disease, stroke.

History reference

Clover cultivation began in the 14th century in northern Italy, from where the culture spread to Holland and then to Germany. In 1633, red clover came to England. In Russia, it has been cultivated since the middle of the 18th century. Dry crushed clover leaves were added to flour in the past when baking. rye bread, and also used for the preparation of sauces and in the production of cheeses. Since ancient times, clover has served integral part aromatic healing baths and medicinal teas.

Literature

1. Blinova K. F. et al. Botanical-pharmacognostic dictionary: Ref. allowance / Ed. K. F. Blinova, G. P. Yakovlev. - M .: Higher. school, 1990. - S. 187. - ISBN 5-06-000085-0.

2. State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR. Eleventh edition. Issue 1 (1987), issue 2 (1990).

3. State Register medicines. Moscow 2004.

4. Ilyina T.A. Medicinal Plants of Russia (Illustrated Encyclopedia). - M., "EKSMO" 2006.

5. Zamyatina N.G. Medicinal plants. Encyclopedia of the nature of Russia. M. 1998.

6. Kuchina N.L. Medicinal plants of the middle zone of the European part of Russia - M .: Planeta, 1992. - 157 p.

7. Medicinal plants: A reference guide. / N.I. Grinkevich, I.A. Balandina, V.A. Ermakova and others; Ed. N.I. Grinkevich - M.: Higher School, 1991. - 398 p.

8. Medicinal plants of the State Pharmacopoeia. Pharmacognosy. (Edited by I.A. Samylina, V.A. Severtsev). - M., "AMNI", 1999.

9. Medicinal plant materials. Pharmacognosy: Proc. allowance / Ed. G.P. Yakovlev and K.F. Pancake. - St. Petersburg: Spec. Lit, 2004. - 765 p.

10. Lesiovskaya E.E., Pastushenkov L.V. "Pharmacotherapy with the basics of herbal medicine." Tutorial. - M.: GEOTAR-MED, 2003.

11. Maznev V.I. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants -. M .: Martin. 2004. - 496 p.

12. Mannfried Palov. "Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants". Ed. cand. biol. Sciences I.A. Gubanov. Moscow, Mir, 1998.

13. Mashkovsky M.D. "Medications". In 2 volumes - M., New Wave Publishing House LLC, 2000.

14. Novikov V. S., Gubanov I. A. Genus Spruce (Picea) // Popular atlas-determinant. Wild plants. - 5th ed., stereotype. - M .: Bustard, 2008. - S. 65-66. — 415 p. - (Popular atlas-determinant). - 5000 copies. - ISBN 978-5-358-05146-1. - UDC 58 (084.4)

15. Nosov A.M. Medicinal plants in official and traditional medicine. M.: Eksmo Publishing House, 2005. - 800 p.

16. Peshkova G. I., Shreter A. I. Plants in home cosmetics and dermatology. Ref //M.: Ed. House of SMEs. - 2001. - 685 p.

17. Plants for us. Reference manual / Ed. G.P. Yakovleva, K.F. Pancake. - Publishing house "Educational book", 1996. - 654 p.

18. Plant resources of Russia: Wild flowering plants, them component composition and biological activity. Edited by A.L. Budantsev. T.5. M.: Association of scientific publications KMK, 2013. - 312 p.

19. Sokolov S. Ya. Medicinal plants. - Alma-Ata: Medicine, 1991. - S. 118. - ISBN 5-615-00780-X.

20. Sokolov S.Ya., Zamotaev I.P. Handbook of medicinal plants (phytotherapy). - M.: VITA, 1993.

21. Turova A.D. "Medicinal plants of the USSR and their application". Moscow. "The medicine". 1974.

22. "Phytotherapy with the basics clinical pharmacology» ed. V.G. Kukes. - M.: Medicine, 1999.

23. Chikov P.S. "Medicinal plants" M.: Medicine, 2002.

There are many plants that treat no worse than medicines, and sometimes even better, more efficiently. Just such herbs include meadow clover. Medicinal properties and contraindications (reviews about the plant note that the herb perfectly lowers cholesterol) should be studied in detail before use in order to avoid side effects.

Meadow clover: description

Clover is a perennial plant. It has a slightly pubescent stem and small spherical flowers of red, lilac or white color. Belongs to favorable conditions grows up to 30-50 cm. The root system is branched and has small tubers at the ends.

The flowering of the plant occurs in the middle and end of summer. Just at this time it should be collected for storage. The culture fully matures at the end of September. It is at this time that the plant produces beans in which the seeds are located.

There are about 120 species of this plant. Red clover is considered the most useful. Clover is often grown as an herb. Another herb is used in folk medicine and cooking. Inflorescences are considered especially valuable.

The culture grows in Europe, Asia, northern Africa and in the territory Russian Federation. Grass can be found in meadows of medium moisture, along field roads or in forest clearings.

The plant is rich nutrients and at correct application can bring invaluable benefits to human health. Grass can be grown on your own plot or harvested yourself. If this is not possible, then the plant is purchased at a pharmacy. The price of 50 g of dry grass fluctuates around 50-70 rubles.

Chemical composition of grass

Red clover grass grows everywhere. Known to almost everyone. Despite this, only a few use it in traditional medicine, and even less people used in cooking. She is rich useful substances such as glycosides, steroids, coumarins, saponins. The plant contains vitamins K, B and E. Saturated ascorbic acid. It contains phenolcarboxylic acids, as well as tannins. Contains quinones and fatty vegetable oils. Clover also contains carotene, flavonoids, salicylic acid and a number of valuable macro- and microelements. It is the rich chemical composition plants attribute clover to medicinal herbs and endows it with a lot of useful properties.

Properties of red clover

Red clover is a treasure trove useful elements. It has anti-inflammatory, tonic, wound healing, antitumor, antiseptic, diaphoretic, antisclerotic properties. Able to have an expectorant and diuretic effect. The herb has an astringent and choleretic effect. Helps stop bleeding.

The properties of meadow clover have found their application in medicine, as part of many medicines.

The use of culture in medicine

What does red clover treat? This question is asked by people who are at least a little familiar with the properties of this herb. Let's start with the fact that the plant can be used both topically and orally, in the form of various tinctures and decoctions.

Fresh leaves of the culture are used for complex wounds and ulcers that do not heal enough. long time. They are finely chopped and applied to the sore spot. In the same way, the herb is used for burns, abscesses and other diseases of the skin.

Red clover (properties and contraindications are described in detail in the instructions for use, but in the event that the grass was bought in a pharmacy) is found in choleretic and chest fees. In the presence of rashes in infants, a decoction of this plant is added to the bath.

For the treatment of inflammation in gynecology, the root of the clover officinalis is used. It is also used as additional funds in the treatment of cancer and tuberculosis.

The stems of the herb are effective in the treatment of scurvy, malaria, and rickets. Reduce cholesterol in atherosclerosis. A decoction of clover is able to calm headache, cope with dizziness and increase appetite. Herb tincture is used to treat asthma, anemia, shortness of breath, metrorrhagia. Clover juice will help to cope with coughs, colds, bronchitis, gout, poisoning. Effective at exudative diathesis and frequent fainting.

Clover decoctions have found their application in the treatment of anemia, gastritis, scrofula, asthma, chronic persistent cough, diathesis, urolithiasis and cholecystitis.

The plant is able to save women from discomfort during menopause: eliminate inflammation;

• remove vaginal dryness;
• stop hair loss;
• get rid of insomnia;
• increase libido;
• relieve fatigue;
• soften the tides.

The herb is used for epilepsy, sore throat, high blood pressure, boils. The plant is used for abscesses, bites of insects or animals. Indications for use are painful menstruation, gynecological diseases and anorexia.

Contraindications

It has special medicinal properties and contraindications meadow clover (reviews of people say that the plant gives good result in the treatment of ulcers and gastritis, but you need to drink it for a long time), which must be taken into account before using the herb. Misuse plants can cause side effects.

In addition, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should refrain from treating clover. Shouldn't be used herbal remedy with thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Contraindications to the use of culture are diseases of the gastrointestinal apparatus, which are in the acute stage. Do not use clover infusions and decoctions inside if there is a predisposition to diarrhea. Persons prone to allergic manifestations and people with individual intolerance to grass, as well as patients after a stroke and heart attack.

Side effects

Clover, if used for other purposes, can cause such negative reactions body like:

• nausea;
• vomiting reflex;
• pressure drop;
• allergic reactions on the skin;
• pain in muscle tissue.

Before using the herb, you should consult a doctor, as a number of medicines cannot be combined with clover.

Growing clover at home

If possible, you can grow clover at home, especially since the plant is very unpretentious in care.

Planting requires a sunny or slightly shaded area. Seeds are collected only from biennial plants, but to ensure better seedlings, it is better to purchase them in a store.

About 300 seeds are taken per square meter. Pre planting material soaked in water for several hours. Immediately before planting, the seeds are mixed with the ground in a large container. In this form, the planting material is evenly distributed over the site and covered with a layer of earth, the thickness of which should not exceed one centimeter. During the first seven days after planting, the soil should be well moistened. Watered with water from a hose equipped with a sprayer.

The first shoots will appear two weeks after sowing the seeds. Since clover - perennial, then every year it does not need to be sown. Despite this, experts recommend updating the herbage every three years to improve the quality of the grass.

Clover is sown until the middle of summer, only in this case it will be able to ripen and gain a good foothold on the site.

Collection and preparation of raw materials

Red clover (photo shown above) refers to medicinal plants. Grass should be stored during the flowering period. For harvesting, you need to cut off the inflorescence and the leaves adjacent to it. Dry the culture in the shade. Use of electric dryer is allowed. In the latter case, the temperature should not exceed 60 °C. With more high temperature grass will lose the lion's share of useful properties.

If a rhizome is required for medicinal purposes, then it is harvested after the flowering period. The root is dug up and thoroughly cleaned from the ground, washed. Dry the rhizome, as well as the grass, in a ventilated and dry room or on the street, in a place protected from the sun.

Raw materials are collected in dry weather, when the dew has left the plants. Harvested only in environmentally friendly places. Do not take grass near roads and landfills, they contain harmful substances more than useful.

Grass storage

Storage is carried out in dry, tightly closed containers. It is allowed to keep the grass in a linen bag, paper box. dry plant store up to two years, and the root - up to one year. It is necessary to try to renew the stock every year, since during long-term storage clover may lose its useful qualities and its further use will lose all meaning.

Folk recipes

Might have the most various uses meadow clover. Grass (the properties of this plant were described above) for lotions is used in the form of a decoction. To prepare it, dry flowers, in the amount of three tablespoons, are poured with a glass of boiling water and put for a minute for water bath. Use when skin diseases, boils and inflammation of the eyes.

With rheumatism and wounds, an ointment will help, which includes 100 g of clover flowers and 50 g of any vegetable oil. The mixture is infused in a dark and warm place for about 14 days, filtered and used for its intended purpose.

For diseases internal organs helps herbal infusion. To prepare it, two tablespoons of raw materials are poured into a glass of boiling water. They insist for about an hour. Filter and drink 100 g three times a day after meals.

Tincture can also be made with vodka. To do this, a glass should be filled with 500 g of vodka. The mixture is infused for ten days. From time to time, the tincture should be shaken. Take a teaspoon, at night, after filtering. The course of treatment is one month.

At serious illnesses, such as cancer and tuberculosis, are used only as part of complex therapy meadow clover. Medicinal properties and contraindications (reviews of women note that tea with clover not only makes you feel better during menopause, but also improves skin condition, rejuvenates) should be checked with your doctor before using this remedy.

There are almost 300 varieties of clover all over the world.
The most common is red clover.
Red clover is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 15-55 cm.
The leaves are trifoliate, the flowers are collected in spherical inflorescences.
Blooms in June - September. The fruits ripen in August - October.
Seeds are small, spherical.

Clover for household needs began to be grown in the Mediterranean as early as the Neolithic era.
In Russia, clover has been cultivated everywhere, for more than 200 years.
The plant is characterized by high productivity and unpretentious care.
Now it has become widely used as a replacement for lawn grass.

Application:

Clover is very important in animal husbandry. The plant is widely used for green fodder and hay.

Nitrogen accumulated in the roots remains in the soil after plowing, which helps to increase the fertility of the fields.

Hives are often placed near fields with clover to obtain fragrant and healing clover honey.

Salads are prepared from the leaves, green cabbage soup is seasoned with them. The dry, crushed leaves were added to flour in the past when baking rye bread, and were also used to make sauces and cheeses.
In the Caucasus, young unblown flower heads are fermented like cabbage and added to green salads.

Recipes:

Clover Soup. Cook regular lean soup, but 5 minutes before cooking, add a mixture of clover leaves and sorrel leaves (about 100 g per serving).

Roast with clover. Boil the meat until half cooked, then fry. As a side dish, serve clover leaves stewed in water with spices (for young people - in broth) and seasoned with vegetable oil.

Ethnoscience:

The flower heads and leaves have been used in folk medicine as an analgesic, cough suppressant, and appetite enhancer.

Infusion of red clover (meadow) for colds:
Pour 2 cups of dry raw materials into an enamel bowl, pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist, strain. Take 2-3 times a day to prevent and treat colds.

Superstitions, signs:

All over the world, people believe that the Four Leaf Clover is a symbol of incredible good luck.
Since ancient times, dried clover leaves have been carried with them as a talisman. It was believed that a person who has a trefoil or quatrefoil with him becomes a magnet for luck.
Clover was depicted on various objects in the house. They served as amulets.

Even now, many large companies use the image of a three or four leaf clover in their logos. The shamrock clover is the national emblem of Ireland.

And so that everyone would have a lot of good luck and happiness in the small island state of Palau, they decided to give it by releasing a funny gold coin in the shape of a four-leaf clover.

Poems about clover:

- Mu, - the calf mumbles in the morning, -
Clover gives me strength.
Without him I'm in the meadow
And I can't for a day.

***

red lumps,
Like cat paws.
flower balls,
The smell of the field is sweet.
Clover for sure
Knows young and old
Hay for the cow.
Nectar for bees.

Riddles about clover:

hares love
Triad leaves
From weed-voles,
Red head.
(Clover)

In the field by the ravine
Red porridge.
(Clover)

Story
"Good Clover"
Once a peasant bought a cow in the market.
- For a cow, clover is the best vitamin delicacy. Add clover to the feed and you will always have a lot of milk, the seller advised him.
The farmer returned home and sowed clover in the field to feed the cow. A few years later, he decided to sow wheat in a clover field, and moved the clover to another field. Wheat brought an unprecedented harvest like never before.
- Miracles, never before in this field my wheat has grown so much, and the weeds do not drown it out at all, - the peasant was surprised.
He began to think about it for days on end, but he didn’t think of anything.
One day he was mowing clover in the field and suddenly he heard:
- Hey, peasant, next year I will be in another field: I have already worked on this one.
The peasant realized that it was the clover talking to him, he was surprised and asked:
- So how did it work?
- Enriched the soil with nitrogen. I have nitrogen nodules on the roots. They perfectly glue the humus, and it becomes more durable and does not wash out with water. After me, nitrogenous substances remain in the soil. Over the years, old man, I have completely restored the fertility of this soil and am now ready to work in another place.
Then the peasant understood who helped his wheat to grow, and bowed to the ground to the good clover.
So humble meadow grass best friend turned out to be a farmer.

clover properties

Ways to use clover

Mar-6-2017

What is clover

Red clover, or red clover (lat. Trifolium praténse) is a plant from the genus Clover (Trifolium), the legume family (Fabaceae), subfamily Moth (Faboideae).

It grows throughout Europe, in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), Western and Central Asia. On the territory of Russia, it is found in the European part, Siberia, the Far East and Kamchatka.

Grows in moderately moist meadows, forest clearings, along fields and roads.

Wikipedia

Clover is a perennial herbaceous plant from the legume family with a taproot strongly branched root, up to 50 cm high. Its stems are straight, slightly pubescent. Leaves on long petioles, with wide triangular stipules, compound, trifoliate, with elliptical leaflets. The flowers are dark red, small, collected at the ends of the stems in spherical heads. The fruits are small ovoid one-seeded beans. The plant blooms in July - August. It occurs in meadows, fields, grassy slopes, forest edges, along roads in forest and forest-steppe zones. Cultivated as a valuable fodder plant.

The Latin name for clover is trifolium, which literally means shamrock. Indeed, in almost all types of clover, the leaf necessarily consists of three small leaves. This genus includes about 300 species. There are thirteen of them in central Russia, and we are only interested in three species, usually the most common.

ancient Russian name clover - porridge, and not without reason. Its inflorescences literally filled with nectar are eaten with pleasure by children. In July, even our common bees take bribes from red clover, which, as you know, is usually pollinated only by bumblebees that have a longer proboscis. At this time, there is so much nectar in clover that it not only completely fills the flowers, but also flows out of them.

Clover has long been considered one of the most valuable grasses in the meadows - they make green fodder very nutritious, dry well in hay, and grow back quickly and well after haymaking. Clover grass contains a large number of protein, a lot of sugars, starch, vitamins, including vitamins C, P, carotene, E, folic acid.

The red clover (Trifolium pratense) is the most famous and noticeable. It has large, purplish-red heads, often two together on the same stem, with an involucre of leaves. Stems ascending, straight, with adpressed hairs. The leaves are trifoliate, with a clear, lighter pattern. In red clover, it is clearly seen that the head consists of individual flowers. They do not bloom at the same time, marginal ones earlier, and sometimes one or two flowers can be seen on a completely faded head, remaining unpollinated and waiting for their bumblebee.

Red clover is pollinated only by bumblebees, its flower is too long for the bee to reach the posts with its short proboscis, although they sometimes get nectar, but pollinate only small flowers. The Americans bred bees with longer proboscises by selection, but they did not receive much distribution.

The grass of this type of clover contains up to 14% soluble sugars. The leaves and young shoots of clover are used as lettuce or spinach. Dried and crushed leaves are ground into flour and added to bread, which increases its nutritional value, such bread is dietary product. green mass clover, in addition to sugars, contains up to 25% protein, about 5.6% fat, and the protein is contained in an easily digestible form.

Another species is hybrid clover, or pink (T. hybridum). It is also a perennial with one to eight stems, creeping in the lower part, then rising. Leaves on petioles, which become smaller from the rosette to the inflorescences. Inflorescences - spherical heads up to 2.5 cm in diameter, near the head without leaves, always solitary, on long peduncles in the leaf axils. The corolla is almost white at the beginning of flowering, then pale pink or even almost red, turning brown when flowering, not falling off with fruits.

AT vivo this is a purely European plant, but as a cultivated plant it is brought to Asia, North Africa and North America. It's typical meadow plant. He loves water meadows, tolerates excess moisture better than its lack. In the spring, during the flood, it can live under water for up to two weeks. Like other clovers, it grows well only in sunny places. Also has clover years. Blooms from May to autumn. In culture, rarely lives more than six years.

Clover hybrid is slightly bitter, so it is less tasty for both animals and humans. Excellent honey plant. It has shorter flowers and the bees easily reach the nectar. If this type of clover prevails in the meadow, such a meadow yields from 52 to 125 centners of honey per hectare.

And last view- creeping clover, or white (T. repens). This is a smaller view large quantity shoots rooting in the lower nodes, rising at the top. Leaves with large stipules, characteristic of all clovers, trifoliate with small teeth along the edge of the leaves.

This is the most common type of clover in our country. It is difficult now to decide where he is an aborigine, and where he is brought artificially. Its inflorescences are small, up to 2 cm in diameter, loose, on long, bare pedicels. Flowers with a white corolla, sometimes pinkish or greenish, turning brown when flowering. The most unpretentious of clovers, it grows on almost any soil. It is also undemanding to humidity - it grows well with excessive humidity and at the same time it is drought-resistant. Very photophilous, like all clover. Resistant to trampling, so it is sown on airfields and sports grounds. This is the earliest of the clovers - it blooms already in May and blooms almost until frost, pollinated by bees and is an excellent honey plant. It reproduces weaker by seeds than by creeping ground shoots.

All clovers improve the soil because, like all legumes, they have nodules on their roots, in which bacteria live, assimilating atmospheric nitrogen and converting it into plant-available compounds.

Medicinal properties of meadow clover

The aerial part of clover contains glycosides trifolin and isotrifolin, ascorbic, coumarin and salicylic acid, carotene, essential oil, alkaloids, resins, fixed oils, pigments, B vitamins.

In folk medicine, decoctions and vodka tinctures of inflorescences have long been used for bronchitis, cough, pulmonary tuberculosis, as an expectorant for whooping cough, anemia, angina pectoris, poor appetite, tinnitus, painful menstruation and as a diuretic for edema of cardiac and renal origin. Infusion of inflorescences is washed with inflamed eyes and used as a lotion for wounds, tumors, scrofula, burns. It is believed that clover is good for headaches and dizziness.

Clover contraindications

For most people, red and white clover are not dangerous either when taken orally or when applied to the skin. The plant cannot be used:

Pregnant and lactating women. Clover acts like estrogen, so it can disrupt the hormonal balance in the body. This prohibition also applies to external use.

In people suffering from blood disorders, the use of this medicinal plant may cause bleeding. Since clover thins the blood, it is forbidden to take it 2 weeks before surgical operation and after it.

With stomach disorders.

For heart patients and stroke survivors.

With estrogen-dependent forms of cancer (myoma and uterine cancer, endometriosis, ovarian and breast cancer), the patient's condition may worsen.

If you suffer from thrombophlebitis, clover will only harm you. This plant increases the risk of blood clots in people with protein S deficiency.

But this is also the harm of red and white clover is not limited. If you decide to use the plant in medicinal purposes, you should know with which medicines there is a negative interaction:

Estrogen tablets (they may contain estradiol, ethinyl estradiol or conjugated equine estrogens - premarin).

Contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel - triphalis, ethinylestradiol and norethindrone - orthonovum.

Liver enzymes and other drugs for the treatment of the liver. Clover can increase the side effects of drugs and prevent them from being broken down.

Anti-clotting drugs: aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, heparin, warfarin, and others.

Tamoxifen is used in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Red clover preparations reduce its effectiveness.

In addition, it should be remembered that the treatment medicinal herbs requires compliance with:

Recipes for medicines based on clover:

Red clover from cholesterol

With atherosclerosis, such a medicine helps well. Take 2 parts of clover grass, sage leaves and calendula flowers, 3 parts of lingonberry leaves, drop cap grass and sweet clover, 4 parts of oregano herb and chicory flowers, 1 part of mint leaves and flax seeds. Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 3 cups of boiling water, insist for 12 hours, strain and drink warm in three divided doses 30 minutes before meals.

With this disease, an infusion prepared according to the following recipe can also help. Take 1 part of clover flowers, sweet clover grass and coltsfoot, mint leaves, strawberries, raspberries and plantain, 2 parts of veronica and dandelion grass, chamomile flowers, sage leaves and hawthorn fruits, 3 parts of thyme herb and rose hips . Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 3 cups of boiling water, insist for 12 hours, strain and drink warm in three divided doses 30 minutes before meals.

For the treatment of atherosclerosis ethnoscience offers the following remedy. Half fill a liter jar with clover flowers, pour 0.5 liters of vodka, close tightly and leave for two weeks in a dark place. Strain the finished tincture and take 1 tbsp. l. per day - before dinner or at night. The course of treatment is 3 months. After a two-week break, repeat a three-month course.

With atherosclerosis with normal blood pressure, accompanied by headaches and tinnitus, this tincture can help. Take 5 tbsp. l. leafy tops of clover, pour into glass jar, pour 0.5 liters of vodka, insist for two weeks, strain and take 1 tbsp. l. before dinner or bedtime. The course of treatment is 3 months with a break of 10 days. After 6 months, the course of treatment can be repeated.

Treatment of blood vessels with clover

With thrombophlebitis, it is recommended to take equal proportions of clover and chamomile flowers, knotweed grass, motherwort and celandine, dandelion root, coltsfoot leaves, bean leaves, chicory root or grass. Grind everything, mix thoroughly, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 3 cups of boiling water, insist for 12 hours, strain and take half a cup 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 months.

Thrombophlebitis can be cured with the help of such a remedy. Take in equal proportions clover flowers, raspberry and birch leaves, dandelion and primrose roots, willow bark, sweet clover grass, bean leaves. Grind everything, mix thoroughly, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 3 cups of boiling water, leave for 12 hours, strain and take 3 tbsp. l. 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 2 months.

In the treatment of thrombophlebitis, such a medicine is also recommended. Take in equal proportions clover flowers, birch and raspberry leaves, herb knotweed and sweet clover, dandelion and primrose roots, bean leaves. Grind everything, mix thoroughly, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into an enamel pan, pour 1 liter of boiling water, bring to a boil and simmer under a lid for 10 minutes. Then pour everything into a thermos and insist for 8 hours. After that, strain and drink during the day for half a glass 30 minutes before meals. To improve the taste, you can add honey, sugar or jam.

In addition to infusions and decoctions, ointment can be used to treat thrombophlebitis. To prepare it, you should take equal proportions of clover, calendula and chamomile flowers, flax seeds, mint and eucalyptus leaves, snake and dandelion knotweed roots, sweet clover and celandine grass. Grind everything, mix, 3 tbsp. l. mixture pour half a glass of boiling water, boil over low heat with constant stirring for 5 minutes, add 5 tbsp. l. melted domestic pork fat and vegetable oil, mix thoroughly, cool and store in the refrigerator. Fat can be replaced with butter.

Treatment of angina pectoris with clover

With angina pectoris, this medicine helps well. Take in equal proportions the flowers of red clover, borage, calendula and immortelle, lily of the valley leaves, fennel fruits, apple peel, kidney tea shoots, horse sorrel roots. Grind everything, then grind it into powder in a coffee grinder and 1 tbsp. l. Pour the mixture into a thermos. Then pour 1½ cups of boiling water, leave for 3 hours, strain and drink half a glass of water 4 times a day, an hour before meals.

With angina, this infusion also helps. Take in equal proportions the flowers of red clover, borage, calendula and lily of the valley, rose hips, blackberry leaves, oat straw, oregano grass, chicory rhizome. Grind everything, mix, 1 tbsp. l. pour 1½ cups of boiling water over the mixture, heat in a water bath for 10 minutes, then insist in heat for 1.5 hours, cool and strain. Take warm half a cup 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. With nocturnal attacks of angina pectoris, half a glass of infusion should be taken hot.

Also, with angina pectoris, an infusion prepared according to the following recipe can help. Take equal proportions of red clover and borage flowers, valerian rhizome, nettle and oregano grass, cuff leaves, rose flower petals, rose hips and rowan berries. Grind everything, mix, 1 tbsp. l. pour 1½ cups of boiling water over the mixture, heat in a water bath for 10 minutes, then insist in heat for 1.5 hours, cool and strain. Take warm half a glass 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

For angina pectoris, it is recommended to take 2 parts of the flowers of red clover, hawthorn and calendula, sweet clover and motherwort grass, upper part wild strawberry plants, 1 part each of rue and yarrow herb, birch leaves and hoof. Grind everything, mix, 1 tbsp. l. Pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 1½ cups of boiling water, leave for 3 hours, cool, strain and take half a glass of heat 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

For the treatment of angina pectoris, take equal amounts of red clover and calendula flowers, valerian rhizome, cuff leaves, motherwort herb, rose flower petals, dandelion root, rose hips, oat straw, wild rosemary shoots. Grind everything, mix, 1 tbsp. l. mixture, pour 1½ cups of boiling water, simmer for three minutes, leave warm for 2 hours, strain and take half a cup 5 times a day. Last time drink an hour before bed.

Treatment of colds with clover

With bronchitis, tracheitis and asthma 2 tsp. brew red clover flowers with a glass of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, dilute 1:20 and drink ⅓ cup 4 times a day warm instead of tea with honey.

In chronic cough, an infusion of clover flowers helps as an expectorant and antipyretic. To prepare it, take 1 tbsp. l. flowers brew a glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain and drink 3 tbsp. l. 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Effective in chronic bronchitis next remedy. Take 1 part of meadow clover flowers and cuckoo adonis grass, 2 parts of yarrow grass and coltsfoot leaves. Grind everything, mix, 1 tbsp. l. pour the mixture with a glass of water, bring to a boil, remove from heat and insist for

3 hours. Then strain and drink warm half a glass 3 times a day before meals.

cure Chronical bronchitis you can use this medicine. Take in equal proportions the flowers of meadow or red clover, as well as mullein scepter, herb St. John's wort and yarrow, leaves of coltsfoot. Grind everything, mix, 1 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a glass hot water, cook for 4 minutes, remove from heat, leave for 2 hours, strain and drink half a cup 4 times a day.

Treatment of chronic lung diseases

With bronchial asthma, this medicine helps well. Take 2 parts of meadow clover, medicinal sweet clover and medicinal initials, 3 parts of black elderberry and blue cyanosis. Grind everything, mix, 3 tbsp. l. pour 2 liters of boiling water over the mixture, leave for an hour, strain and take ½ cup 6 times a day.

At chronic diseases lungs can help the following infusion. Take 3 parts of red clover, Crimean rose petals, medicinal rosemary, 2 parts of spring primrose, 1 part of peppermint. Grind everything, mix, 6 tbsp. l. mixture, pour 1.5 liters of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain and take ⅔ cup 6 times a day.

In chronic lung diseases, such an infusion can also help. Take 4 parts of red clover, 3 parts of common myrtle, 2 parts of medicinal and medicinal lungwort, 1 part of oregano. Grind everything, mix, 6 tbsp. l. mixture, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain and take half a glass 6 times a day.

Clover eczema treatment

This medicine is good for eczema. Take in equal proportions clover and calendula flowers, elecampane root, leaves of fireweed, coltsfoot and plantain, agrimony and yarrow grass, blueberry shoots. Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist for 12 hours, strain and drink half a glass 3 times a day.

For eczema, take equal proportions of clover and chamomile flowers, snake mountaineer root, geranium grass, centaury, nettle, mint, wormwood and horsetail. Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist for 12 hours, strain and drink half a glass 3 times a day.

Also, with eczema, it is advised to take equal proportions of clover flowers, cocklebur grass, St. John's wort, lavender, agrimony and succession, burdock root, currant leaves. Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist for 12 hours, strain and drink half a glass 3 times a day.

With the above disease, you can take in equal proportions the flowers of clover, the roots of the knotweed snake and licorice, the leaves of the cuff and blueberries, the fruits of cumin, the grass of the horsetail, string and centaury. Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. pour the mixture into a thermos, pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist for 12 hours, strain and drink half a glass 3 times a day.

For external use in skin diseases, you can use such a remedy. Take 3 tbsp. l. clover inflorescences, pour a glass of boiling water, insist under the lid for an hour in a warm place, then strain. With ready-made infusion, wash wounds, ulcers, make lotions on inflamed places, carbuncles, boils.

Treatment of neurodermatitis with clover

With neurodermatitis, the following remedy can be recommended. Take in equal proportions the flowers of clover, the roots of the knotweed snake, wheatgrass and licorice, centaury grass, horsetail, string and yasnitochka, cuff and blueberry leaves, cumin fruits. Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. pour 1 liter of boiling water over the mixture, bring to a boil, cook under a lid over low heat for 10 minutes, then pour everything into a thermos and leave for 12 hours. Ready infusion strain and drink during the day half a cup 30 minutes before meals. You can add honey or sugar to improve the taste. The course of treatment is 3 months, after which you need to take a break for 2 weeks, change the herbal mixture and continue treatment. Such shifts must be done every 3 months during the year, and then switch to preventive infusions for 2 months every spring and autumn.

Clover and chamomile flowers, snake mountaineer root, centaury herb, geranium, bedstraw, nettle, mint, wormwood and horsetail;

Clover flowers, Veronica grass, cocklebur, St. John's wort, lavender, agrimony and succession, burdock and wheatgrass roots, currant leaves;

Clover flowers, roots of mountaineer snake, wheatgrass and licorice, centaury herb, horsetail, succession and yasnotka, cuff and blueberry leaves, cumin fruits.

Treatment of diabetes with clover

In diabetes, it is advised to take equal proportions of clover flowers, centaury grass and mint, cuff leaf, dandelion and wheatgrass roots, red rowan fruits. Grind everything, mix, 2 tbsp. l. mixture pour 1 liter of boiling water, bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes in a sealed container. Then pour everything together with the grass into a thermos, leave for 12 hours, strain and take half a glass during the day 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 4 months, after which you need to change the mixture and continue continuous treatment for two years. For a change, we can recommend such a plant mixture: clover flowers, galega and yarrow grass, bay leaf, burdock and wheatgrass roots, blueberry leaves, rose hips. Or another: 1 part clover flowers, viburnum bark, mint leaves, rowan fruits, 2 parts centaury grass, rose hips, flax seeds, birch leaves or buds, 3 parts each bay leaf, galega herbs, blueberry and lingonberry leaves, bean pods, burdock root.

For treatment diabetes baths can be used. Infusion for them is prepared like this. Take ½ cup of red clover grass, pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist for two hours, strain and pour into the bath. The water temperature should be 36–37 °C. The bath should be taken at night. Duration 10-15 minutes. Course - 12–14 baths.

General strengthening of the body

Due to the presence of vitamins, clover is used as a general tonic. For these purposes, you can make clover honey according to the following recipe. Pour 1 liter of water into a saucepan, bring to a boil and pour 3 cups of clover flower heads into it. Boil for 20 minutes, cool, strain, add half a glass of sugar and drink like tea.

With anemia, beriberi, take 2 tbsp. l. clover inflorescences, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, strain and drink ⅓ cup 3 times a day before meals.

vision improvement

For eye diseases, rinse fresh clover grass well, scald with boiling water, chop, pass through a meat grinder and squeeze. Dilute the resulting juice with water in a ratio of 1:1 and boil for 5 minutes. Then cool and rinse eyes.

To improve the metabolism in the lens, you can squeeze Fresh Juice from meadow red clover grass, strain and subject to instant pasteurization, i.e. heat to 85-90 ° C, but do not boil and immediately remove from heat. Pour the juice into a sterile glass bottle and close tightly. Pipette instill 2-3 drops into the eyes 2 times a day. Pasteurized juice in corked form can be stored for 2-3 days.

Based on the book by Filatov O. A. “ The newest herbalist. Healing plants from A to Z»