Menopause, asthma, arthritis relief with red clover
By Mercedes Kay Gold, CNP, CPT
A walk outside is a fast track to herbal happiness. Red clover is an edible perennial herb growing wild throughout Asia, Europe and northwest Africa. Luckily this little love of the legume family has been naturalized and now simple to spot throughout North America. Running to the forest to forage red clover is pointless, plenty grows in the urban jungle. Just make sure all greens are untreated and free of pesticides. It does go by a slew of names, but whether you call it beebread, cow clover, cow grass, meadow clover or purple clover, all equal Mother Nature’s nourishment. Red clover is meadow magic for livestock grazing and goodness inside and out for us, too. Red clover is chock full of calcium and phosphorous, both linked to bone health. There’s also chromium, key in assisting blood sugar regulation. Magnesium and potassium are both linked to healthy blood pressure plus B vitamins help the body get energy from food. Ample amounts of zinc and vitamin C boost immunity.
Red clover has been used in traditional healing as a remedy for asthma and arthritis. It’s a favourite go-to for heaps of health practitioners as a blood purifier and liver detoxifier by acting as a diuretic. Red clover works wonders as a natural expectorant. By loosening phlegm, it supports the respiratory system, a wise choice with whooping cough.
Red clover contains isoflavones, plant–based chemicals associated with helping stop symptoms of menopause and slow bone loss. According to a study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.84.3.5561) red clover is linked to improved blood-vessel health in menopausal women. Red clover may also be linked to cardiovascular health due to the blood-thinning properties found within the plant. Keep an eye out for red clover in topical treatments from cuts and scrapes as well as sensational support for chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.
Tea, tincture, liquid or in a slave, red clover is a mountain of traditional medicinal benefits inside and out. Red clover is edible from root to berry coloured blossom and can be eaten raw in a salad, steamed and even sautéed side by side slews of your favourite veggies. For a wild child untraditional baking or salad beautiful pop of color, red clover blossoms are a natural dessert decorator’s dream. Next time you are getting your 10,000 steps in keep an eye out for red clover and reap the benefits!
*Red clover is natural but may interfere with some prescriptions such as tamoxifen. Always consult your MD or ND before adding anything new to your protocol.
Mercedes Kay Gold is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Holistic Nutritionist who loves helping others live their best life when not spending time with her children and grandson, Theodore. She can be reached at mercedeskaygoldfitness@gmail.com or visit www.mercedeskaygold.com
