yellowsprings
Inactive
I was outside picking red clover and I was started thinking about the different ways they could be used. I started researching and came across this information:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://earthnotes.tripod.com/cloverred.htm
CLOVER, RED
(Trifolium pratense)
HARVEST: Flowers in perfect bloom early in season. Do not pick late in season as they often carry a mold, especially if summer if very humid or rainy.
USES
MEDICINAL:
Blood cleanser, diuretic, soothes the nervous system.
Can improve hemoglobin levels, relieves flatulence, relieves menopausal symptoms.
Also used for bronchitis, colds, coughs, and whooping cough.
Used externally as a poultice or salve for: ulcers, open sores, chapped and cracked body parts, and cancerous growths.
Clover flowers contain the isoflavone genistein, which might give the immune system a better shot at destroying cancer cells. (Science News, May 12, 1990)
Taken as a diuretic over a long period of time, it stimulates the liver and bladder.
The presence of sodium reputed to reduce acidity and help body assimilate iron.
CULINARY:
PARTS USED = dried and fresh blossoms, young leaves, sprouted seeds and roots.
Whole flower heads, dried and pulverized, have been used by some peoples to replace flour in bread.
Asians powder leaves and flower heads and sprinkle them onto rice.
Flowers should be collected when they become ripe and dry, and further dried. They are then crushed or ground in small amounts.
Whole flower heads are dried and used for tea.
Other uses include in fritters, soups, cooked greens, and as a syrup.
DYE:
Makes golden tan with alum, tin or chrome mordants.
HORTICULTURE:
Best of the green manures, converting atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates that plants can use. Good in compost pile. While decomposing, contributes lots of potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
COMMENTS:
A CAUTION is needed. The presence of estrogenic compounds leads to problems with grazing sheep and cattle. Pregnancy is difficult to attain and keeping to term nearly impossible with stock which has grazed on clover. Pregnant woman would do best to avoid.
Too much clover is known to cause bloating in both cattle and humans. Moldy hay from sweet clovers forms coumarin, which breaks down into dicoumarin, which causes severe hemorrhaging. Discovery of coumarin in sweet clover mold led to development of warfarin, used in rodent poisons, and an anti-coagulant used medically to treat blood clots.
RECIPES
TONIC TEA
Combine 1 C. dry red clover blossoms, 1/3 C. Blue violet leaf, 1/3 C. Dandelion leaf, 1/4 C. Chickweed, 1/4 C. Plantain, 1 Tbsp Mullein flowers (optional), 1½ Tbsp. Mint.
If treating a nervous condition add 1 Tbsp. oatstraw.
If need for a more potent blood cleanser, add 1/4 C. burdock root.
For respiratory problems add 1 Tbsp. elecampane and 1 Tbsp. horehound. (Some people are allergic to horehound. Withhold until this is established.)
For arthritis add ginger and rosehips as follows: 1 part red clover, 1 part rose hips, 1/2 part chickweed, 1 part dandelion, 1/6 part ginger.
DOSE = For medicinal purposes use 1 Tbsp. of the mixture and steep in 1 C. boiling water for 10 minutes. (Entire recipe may be made in advance and dose placed in heat sealable tea bags for convenience.)
BEVERAGE TEA
1 heaping tsp dried flower heads, 1 C. hot water, honey and mint to taste. Steep five minutes.
VINEGAR
Fill a pint jar with clover blossoms. Combine 1¾ Cup red or white wine vinegar and 3 Tbsp. clover honey and heat to boiling point. Pour into jar of blossoms. Cover and shake gently. Place in cupboard for 4-5 days; strain and bottle.
WINE
1 gallon red clover blossoms, 10 lbs sugar, 1 dozen lemons (cut up), 1 box raisins, 5 gallons boiling water, 5 cakes (or packages) active dry yeast.
Combine blossoms, sugar, lemons and raisins in large stoneware jar. Pour in the boiling water and stir enough to dissolve the sugar. Cool to lukewarm. Mix the yeast with a small amount of the lukewarm liquid and add to the jar. Mix well; cover jar with a cloth, tie it down around the top, and let stand for 5 days at room temperature; stir occasionally. Strain through a double thickness of cheesecloth and pour into glass jugs. Cover tops (balloons are good for this purpose) but do not seal til the wine stops bubbling and is still. (Also see Wine Making.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are there any other uses for red clover that are not listed here? I have a lot of red clover that I can pick but I am not sure how much I would need to get through to the next season. Suggestions? Smilie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://earthnotes.tripod.com/cloverred.htm
CLOVER, RED
(Trifolium pratense)
HARVEST: Flowers in perfect bloom early in season. Do not pick late in season as they often carry a mold, especially if summer if very humid or rainy.
USES
MEDICINAL:
Blood cleanser, diuretic, soothes the nervous system.
Can improve hemoglobin levels, relieves flatulence, relieves menopausal symptoms.
Also used for bronchitis, colds, coughs, and whooping cough.
Used externally as a poultice or salve for: ulcers, open sores, chapped and cracked body parts, and cancerous growths.
Clover flowers contain the isoflavone genistein, which might give the immune system a better shot at destroying cancer cells. (Science News, May 12, 1990)
Taken as a diuretic over a long period of time, it stimulates the liver and bladder.
The presence of sodium reputed to reduce acidity and help body assimilate iron.
CULINARY:
PARTS USED = dried and fresh blossoms, young leaves, sprouted seeds and roots.
Whole flower heads, dried and pulverized, have been used by some peoples to replace flour in bread.
Asians powder leaves and flower heads and sprinkle them onto rice.
Flowers should be collected when they become ripe and dry, and further dried. They are then crushed or ground in small amounts.
Whole flower heads are dried and used for tea.
Other uses include in fritters, soups, cooked greens, and as a syrup.
DYE:
Makes golden tan with alum, tin or chrome mordants.
HORTICULTURE:
Best of the green manures, converting atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates that plants can use. Good in compost pile. While decomposing, contributes lots of potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
COMMENTS:
A CAUTION is needed. The presence of estrogenic compounds leads to problems with grazing sheep and cattle. Pregnancy is difficult to attain and keeping to term nearly impossible with stock which has grazed on clover. Pregnant woman would do best to avoid.
Too much clover is known to cause bloating in both cattle and humans. Moldy hay from sweet clovers forms coumarin, which breaks down into dicoumarin, which causes severe hemorrhaging. Discovery of coumarin in sweet clover mold led to development of warfarin, used in rodent poisons, and an anti-coagulant used medically to treat blood clots.
RECIPES
TONIC TEA
Combine 1 C. dry red clover blossoms, 1/3 C. Blue violet leaf, 1/3 C. Dandelion leaf, 1/4 C. Chickweed, 1/4 C. Plantain, 1 Tbsp Mullein flowers (optional), 1½ Tbsp. Mint.
If treating a nervous condition add 1 Tbsp. oatstraw.
If need for a more potent blood cleanser, add 1/4 C. burdock root.
For respiratory problems add 1 Tbsp. elecampane and 1 Tbsp. horehound. (Some people are allergic to horehound. Withhold until this is established.)
For arthritis add ginger and rosehips as follows: 1 part red clover, 1 part rose hips, 1/2 part chickweed, 1 part dandelion, 1/6 part ginger.
DOSE = For medicinal purposes use 1 Tbsp. of the mixture and steep in 1 C. boiling water for 10 minutes. (Entire recipe may be made in advance and dose placed in heat sealable tea bags for convenience.)
BEVERAGE TEA
1 heaping tsp dried flower heads, 1 C. hot water, honey and mint to taste. Steep five minutes.
VINEGAR
Fill a pint jar with clover blossoms. Combine 1¾ Cup red or white wine vinegar and 3 Tbsp. clover honey and heat to boiling point. Pour into jar of blossoms. Cover and shake gently. Place in cupboard for 4-5 days; strain and bottle.
WINE
1 gallon red clover blossoms, 10 lbs sugar, 1 dozen lemons (cut up), 1 box raisins, 5 gallons boiling water, 5 cakes (or packages) active dry yeast.
Combine blossoms, sugar, lemons and raisins in large stoneware jar. Pour in the boiling water and stir enough to dissolve the sugar. Cool to lukewarm. Mix the yeast with a small amount of the lukewarm liquid and add to the jar. Mix well; cover jar with a cloth, tie it down around the top, and let stand for 5 days at room temperature; stir occasionally. Strain through a double thickness of cheesecloth and pour into glass jugs. Cover tops (balloons are good for this purpose) but do not seal til the wine stops bubbling and is still. (Also see Wine Making.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Are there any other uses for red clover that are not listed here? I have a lot of red clover that I can pick but I am not sure how much I would need to get through to the next season. Suggestions? Smilie