This article will give you a good insight into the potential white clover benefits for health. Read on to find out.
What is White Clover?
White clover with the botanical name ‘Trifolium repens‘ is a creeping plant native to Europe and Central Asia. It has green, creeping stems, and its white flowers have a pink tinge. The flowers attract a large number of bees and insects, which aid in pollination and the production of clover honey. It is grown as an alternative to grass in lawns as it provides an excellent green cover. Its roots contain microbes that act as nitrogen fixators, thereby increasing the fertility of the soil. It has a high protein content which makes it an ideal livestock fodder. As it also has both nutritional and medicinal benefits for animals and humans, it is now cultivated globally.
In addition to its high protein content, white clover has
- Vitamins A, B2, B3, C, E, and
- Minerals like magnesium, potassium, chromium, phosphorous, and calcium.
For centuries it has been used as a natural medicine in countries like Turkey, India, and Native Americans.
White Clover Benefits for Health
1. For General Health
White clover tea is a tonic that is good for your overall health. It improves blood circulation in your body and has a depurative property that purifies and detoxifies your blood. Anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties are also present in white clover. Furthermore, it has analgesic, antiseptic and anti-scrofulatic effects.
2. For Common Cold
White clover infusion treats fever, cough, and cold. You can use it as an expectorant in relieving congestion and coughing out the mucus. It also helps treat dizziness, nausea, and stomach upsets associated with the common cold.
3. Eye Infection
You can use White clover tea as an eyewash to treat the eye’s common infections. You can also use it to lessen the eye strain due to the use of mobile and other devices, however, no scientific study can back this remedy.
4. Rheumatism and Arthritis
White clover tea alleviates both rheumatic and arthritic pain. Elderly people or people with rheumatism and arthritis are advised to drink the tea of white clover to lower their pain and inflammation.
5. Gout
The tincture from the leaves of white clover can prove to be effective on gout.
6. Osteoporosis Preventive
Isoflavones in white clover help increase bone mineral density and prevent osteoporosis in menopausal women.
7. Anticancer effect
It has an isoflavone known as genistein which acts as a powerful antioxidant and reduces cancer risk.
8. Gynecological Problems
You can use an infusion of the plant to treat leucorrhoea or white discharge and menstrual cramps.
9. Digestive Issues
It is used to treat abdominal pains, stomach upsets, and diarrhea.
10. Deworming
Some tribes in India and Europe use the juice of the plant as a deworming agent.
11. For Skin
You can use it to heal wounds, sores, ulcers, and minor cuts and burns.
12. For Hair
It is used in Indian medicine, as a topical application to cure dandruff.
How to Include in Diet
The edible parts of the plant are the seedpods, roots, leaves, and flower heads. The raw plant is difficult to digest, so, you can saute, boil, and cook the leaves and blossoms before eating them.
You can add the plant’s fresh leaves to salads, sauces, and soups or use them on their own as a green leafy vegetable and cook it like spinach.
Also, you can use the flowers fresh or dried to make a nicely flavored tea. Alternatively, use the flowers and seeds by drying and grounding them into flour or to make herbal tea.
Use the ground flour by consuming it after sprinkling it on boiled rice. Also, use the dried leaves and flowers in cakes and other baked goodies as they have a faint vanilla-like flavor.
Precautions
- White clover may cause severe allergic reactions in some people. Hence, it is advisable to try small quantities when first using or use after consultation with your doctor.
- It is safer to consume it in moderation as it has a blood-thinning effect that can cause excessive bleeding.
- It is best to avoid consuming it two weeks before a scheduled surgery. This property also contraindicates its use if you are taking drugs for hypertension or thrombus.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking clover. Use it only on medical advice.
All these white clover benefits can prove to be potent in improving your overall health. However, we’d still advise you to not include it in your diet without a reference from your health practitioner.