Red Clover

(Trifolium pratense)

Basic Identification

Common Names

Red clover
Purple clover
Wild clover
Cow clover

Botanical Name

Trifolium pratense

Plant Family

Fabaceae (Legume family)

Parts Used

• Flowers (primary medicinal part)
• Aerial parts

Habitat and Native Range

Red clover is native to Europe, Western Asia, and parts of North Africa but is now naturalized throughout much of the world, including North America.

It grows best in:
• meadows
• pastures
• roadsides
• open fields
• well-drained soils

Red clover is widely cultivated for forage, soil improvement, and herbal medicine.

Overview

Red clover is a classic alterative herb in Western herbalism, traditionally used to support lymphatic function, skin health, and overall constitutional balance. It is most commonly associated with gentle detoxification, nutritive support, and hormonal balance.

Despite its mild nature, red clover is deeply valued for long-term supportive use, especially in chronic inflammatory and constitutional patterns. It is especially useful when stagnation, heat, and skin irritation are present together.

Red clover is widely used as both a medicinal herb and nutritive tonic and has long been regarded as a gentle restorative herb suitable for ongoing use.

Basic Uses

Red clover is commonly used for:
• Skin irritation and inflammatory skin conditions
• Lymphatic support
• Menopausal support
• Mild respiratory irritation
• Constitutional cleansing formulas
• Nutritive mineral support
• Mild inflammatory conditions
• General alterative support

Botanical Description / Morphology

Growth Habit – Short-lived perennial herb, typically 12–24 inches tall, with an upright branching growth pattern.

Stem –
• Green and slightly hairy
• Branched
• Hollow to semi-solid
• Slender but sturdy

Leaves – Arrangement: Alternate
Shape: Compound leaves with three oval leaflets
Margin: Smooth to finely toothed
Surface: Soft and slightly hairy

Venation – Visible central veins on each leaflet, often with pale crescent-shaped markings

Flowers – Type: Dense rounded flower heads
Color: Pink to reddish-purple florets
Shape: Small tubular pea-family flowers clustered together

Roots – Fibrous root system with nitrogen-fixing nodules

Key Identifying Features –

• Three-part leaf structure
• Pale crescent markings on leaves
• Rounded pink-purple flower heads
• Mild sweet grassy scent
• Common meadow and pasture growth habit

Similar Species / Lookalikes

• White clover (Trifolium repens) – smaller white flower heads and creeping growth habit

• Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) – paler flowers and smoother stems

• Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) – more elongated flower clusters and different leaf shape

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The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Herbal remedies can affect individuals differently and may interact with medications or medical conditions. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any new herbal regimen, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.

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