Adding red clover leaves to your diet will boost not only your nutrition but also your immune system function, heart health, and your body’s line of defense.
![a woman holding a bouquet of clover](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-featured-image.png)
Both red clover blossoms and leaves have some amazing health benefits.
This pretty plant and flower is actually a herb that many love to use for tea as well as an addition to their salad.
You can’t go wrong with adding this nutrient dense plant to your diet.
Let’s get foraging for this amazing and delicious herb!
This post is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The information in this post is not meant to diagnose, treat, or in anyway constitute medical advice.
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![a patch of red clover](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-3.jpg)
What is clover
Clover is a low growing plant that can be found in most of the United States, parts of South America, as well as, parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia.
This hearty plant doesn’t mind high altitudes or extremes in climate or soil.
In fact, clover is often found in lawns all across the US.
The thin stems of clover will only grow up to a height of 1 foot.
At the top of each stem of clover grow 3 small leaves.
These green leaves are slightly oval and have a “V” shaped spot on each leaf that is a lighter shade of green or even white.
Two common types of clover (that are both edible) are white clover or “Trifolium Repens” and red clover or “Trifolium Pratense”.
Red clover is most commonly known for its medicinal properties. It also typically grows bigger than white clover making it an excellent option for adding to salads and other recipes.
We will focus on the health benefits of red clover in this post.
![red clover plants close up](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-5-768x1024.jpg)
How to harvest and use red clover leaves
Harvesting
You can harvest clover leaves almost anytime that you can find them.
Pick the most healthy green leaves that you can find, avoiding the leaves that are starting to dry, are turning brown, or have unhealthy looking leaves.
To harvest, you simply grasp each leaf with your fingers and pull the leaf off, continue this until you have the desired amount of leaves.
Wash the leaves gently under running water and pat dry with a clean cloth.
![a handful of clover](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-10.jpg)
Uses
One of the easiest ways to use clover leaves is to add them to your salad mix.
This not only will give you added flavor and interest, but it will also add nutrition to your already nutritious salad.
If you prefer drinking tea over eating greens, you can also make a tea out of clover leaves.
The blossoms of clover will probably taste a little more like a tea you are used to, however, you can add both the leaves and the blossoms to your herbal tea.
You can also make a body cream or salve with clover leaves to help soothe skin rashes and pain.
![a patch of red clover plants](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-1-768x1024.jpg)
Health Benefits of red clover leaves
Cancer
The isoflavones present in red clover are now being recognized to help slow and/or stop the growth of cancer cells and may even kill cancer cells.
Red clover may help prevent certain types of cancer such as prostate and endometrial cancer.
However, because this herb mimics estrogen in a woman’s body, it should not be taken by women that have a history of breast cancer.
![red clover leaves](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-6.jpg)
Menopause
Isoflavones act like estrogen does in the body.
This can be helpful for helping balance hormones and relieving symptoms in women going through menopause.
Try adding red clover leaves and blossoms to your diet if you suffer from hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms.
Menopausal symptoms are caused by the rapid decrease in estrogen, making you feel like you are on a roller coaster.
Red clover can help naturally raise your estrogen, helping to balance your hormones and reduce symptoms.
There is not much research done on the effectiveness of red clover being beneficial during menopause but it can’t hurt to give it a try!
Avoid red clover if you have a history of breast cancer, however.
![a handful of clover](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-9.jpg)
Immune System
Red clover is a natural diuretic, making it an excellent herb to take while you are sick.
It can help increase urine production, which will aid the body in getting rid of toxins as well as helping the body balance fluid levels.
Red clover can also help loosen mucus, especially when taken as a tea made with both the red clover leaves and blossoms.
Heart Health
Red clover may increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, especially in pre and post menopausal women.
This increase in HDL cholesterol can be attributed to the isoflavones found in red clover.
Eating red clover may also help to naturally thin your blood, helping to prevent blood clots from occurring.
![handful of red clover](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-8.jpg)
Nutrition
Adding red clover to your diet can help you get in more nutrients.
A few of the minerals you can find in clover include calcium, magnesium, potassium, chromium, niacin, phosphorus, thiamine, as well as, vitamin C.
Osteoporosis
Red clover may help lower your risk of osteoporosis (bone loss) during and after menopause.
The isoflavones in clover help slow bone loss, while boosting bone mineral density, making it a good herb to add to an older woman’s diet.
![a clover field](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Red-Clover-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-Them-2-1-768x1024.jpg)
Skin Issues
Again, isoflavones to the rescue!
Isoflavones can help stimulate the skin’s natural collagen production which will help thicken the skin, as well as, improve the skin’s moisture.
You can also use an ointment made with clover leaves to help heal skin issues such as eczema and psoriasis.
Happy Foraging!
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