botanical name(s): Trifolium pratense
synonyms: red clover
part(s) used: flower heads
qualities:
affinities: blood, lungs
actions: alterative, antineoplastic, antispasmodic, expectorant, nervine
dosage:
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
specific indications: pertussis; irritation of the laryngopulmonic passages; spasmodic cough, cough of measles; cancerous diathesis (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1996); skin diseases; tumors; general toxic states; premenstrual syndrome (Anderson Geller)
therapy: alterative, antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative dermatological agent; its main use is as an alterative and for skin complaints such as psoriasis and eczema, and as an expectorant in coughs and bronchial conditions; the isoflavones are estrogenic in animals, which may ingest large quantities as forage; red clover is also reported to have antispasmodic and expectorant properties
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2a
toxicity: 2; see coumarin toxidrome
» contraindicated during pregnancy (McGuffin)
» treatment of overdose: vitamin K serves as an inhibitor of these antithrombotics and should be administered at least twice daily (Theines and Haley, p. 242)
» caution is advised regarding use in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves disease, or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66-67)
» cyanogenic glycosides can be found in this plant (Brinker, p. 101), yet no poisoning cases or goitrogenic effects have been reported
» capable of inducing photosensitization; a hybrid may form with Trifolium repens which is also a photosensitizer (Keeler and Tu, p. 352)
constituents: isoflavones, flavonoids, volatile oil, clovamides, coumarins, galactomannan, resins
footnotes
Anderson Geller, C. 1984-1989. Lectures in Botanical Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Portland, OR.
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.
Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.
McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.
Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.