-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Trifolium pratense (Red Clover)
Botanicals

definition

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 Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.