Red clover is one of those weeds that most of us see in our lawns, gardens, and parks. Its purplish flowers stretching up from the ground just begging us to pay attention. These delicate flowering globes are powerhouses of nutrition and medicinal benefits. The flowers are sweetly flavored and perfectly suited for tea. They make skin soothing ointments and more. Drying and using red clover is an easy and worthwhile endeavor for your home.
Harvesting Red Clover
Pick blossoms in the spring and summer for a sweeter flavor. The fall blossoms aren't usually as sweet. Like most herbs, harvest red clover blossoms early in the day when the dew has dried. Cut fully open blossoms that are brightly colored, avoid browned flowers. Leave them on stems for drying purposes.
If red clover doesn't grow in your climate you can buy it. I highly recommend Starwest Botanicals.
Drying Red Clover
Wash the blossoms to get rid of any dirt and bugs. Spread the blossoms out onto dehydration trays or wire racks. Leave these trays sit out of direct sunlight. I usually just leave the trays sit in the dehydrator without turning it on. When the flowers are completely dry and crispy, cut the flowers from the stems, place them in an airtight container and label the jar.
Using Red Clover Internally
Red clover is high in calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C making it good as a bone building tea. The iced tea is often used to soothe menopausal hot flashes. Because it is safe for children, it is also often used to help soothe children's coughs.
To make red clover tea:
Pour 8 ounces of boiling water over 1 Tablespoon dried red clover blossoms. Let steep for 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
Using Red Clover Externally
Make an infused oil with the dried blossoms and then add beeswax to make a basic salve that is good for eczema and psoriasis.
Who Should Avoid Red Clover
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take red clover because of the natural phytoestrogens found in the plant. There are some blood thinning properties to red clover so hemophiliacs and folks on blood thinners should avoid it as well.
As you're walking around the yard and neighborhood, I hope you'll considering bringing home some red clover to dry and use later. It's a super easy process with multiple benefits and of course tasty tea.
Diane says
Hi – I sent you an email to let you know I got my canning prize, but I got an error it didn’t go thru!! Anyhow, thank you for the wonderful prize. I’m making some jam for a bake sale and will use the labels. I’m adding the Pomona’s to my pantry and I’ve been looking at the canning mag and have found some new recipes to try! Thanks again. Diane
Kathie says
OH yay! I’m so glad. I had a few email issues over the weekend but they should be fixed now. Thanks for letting me know!
Deb says
I picked several cups this spring and made red clover jelly, then dried 2quarts worth for teas. Has a lovely delicate flavor?
Margaret says
Hmm I think I’d like to try some red clover tea! Sounds goos. Thanks!
Kat Davis says
Would you happen to have a Red Clover Soap recipe?
Thanks!
K.
Kathie says
I don’t have one, but I’m asking some friends. I’ll let you know if I find one from a trusted source.
Phyllis says
We have red clover in our hay fields and I love the scent. Does anyone know how to make a room spray using red clover or how to capture the scent to perfume one’s home
Homespun Seasonal Living says
I don’t know the answer beyond an essential oil, which isn’t the easiest thing to make at home. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.
Ronie says
I have made sprays out of herbs. I’ve never made a spray from Clover. Try placing blooms in a blender and add isopropyl alcohol and blend. Put in container set in dark place and shake several times a day for a week. Allow to sit for a day and pour off liquid press and strain the solids off and use liquid as spray.
Homespun Seasonal Living says
For what purpose would you use the spray?
Edwina Rozelle says
Can you make the tea with fresh flowers, and if so how many per pot? Say make be 2 qts?
Homespun Seasonal Living says
Use 2 Tablespoons of fresh blossoms for every 8 ounces of water.
Edwina says
Thank you!
Jodie says
If anyone is picking red clover in their yard or around the neighborhood, make sure it hasn’t been chemically sprayed!!! Finding a wild source would be best :)
Homespun Seasonal Living says
Hopefully, folks know if their own yard has been sprayed. I’m more a fan of harvesting from our own yards than I am the wild whenever possible.
Anna@GreenTalk says
This year it is growing in my garden. I never realized how large it can get and thought it was another plant. I heard if you touch the blossoms it will make them brown.
Can you still use the fall blossoms for medicinal purposes?
Homespun Seasonal Living says
I’ll have to go touch a blossom and pay close attention to see if it turns brown. i have some drying now but I’m not certain that I touched the blossoms only the stems… I, personally, continue to use blooms until we have a frost then I focus on harvesting roots for medicine.
Sheila says
What medicines do you make with the roots?
Homespun Seasonal Living says
That was poorly stated by me. I don’t use the red clover roots for medicine. Once we have a frost I focus on roots of other plants (like dandelion and valerian for example) and leave the flowers alone.
Barbara says
Does Scarlet Clover, Crimson Clover, have the same benefits as red clover? Thanks!
Homespun Seasonal Living says
I am not sure, none of my most trusted resources mentions scarlet clover or crimson clover like they do red clover. I can’t seem to find any sources to confirm that they can be used interchangeably.
Sandra says
Do you wash red clover before making tinctures or drying for tea? TY :)
Homespun Seasonal Living says
I wash everything that’s coming in from outside yes. I usually rinse in cold water then run through a salad spinner to get rid of extra moisture then let wilt or dry completely. Even when picking from unsprayed areas, one never knows what bugs or animals came in contact with the plant and I want it to be clean.
Sandra says
It is ok to tincture with damp clover or do I make sure they are dry first? Ty :)
Homespun Seasonal Living says
I would make sure they’re free of surface moisture before putting it into the tincture medium. Water adds for the chance of mold & bacteria.
Sandra says
TY I appreciate your quick reply’s. Have good day :)
kate says
Hello! I dried a few pounds of red clover blossoms, then put them in two half gallon jars. A few days later, they all turned brown and I noticed a few green worms on the glass!!! It still smells good, but I’m afraid that it isn’t. It’s lost its beauty, but has it lost its wonderful medicinal properties?
Homespun Seasonal Living says
They do get darker as they dry. Are you storing the dried blossoms in such a way that they get exposed to direct sunlight? That can make things brown in a hurry. I’d get rid of the worms. As long as there is no mold, I’d use the blossoms.
jeronimama says
Do you have a red clover oxymel recipe?
jeronimama says
That should say ” red clover”
Homespun Seasonal Living says
I use the same oxymel ratio no matter the herb. Equal parts herb, vinegar, honey. Use this bee balm one just use red clover instead of the bee balm: http://homespunseasonalliving.com/make-bee-balm-oxymel/
Zane says
What kind of oil do you infuse with the red clover?
Thanks
Zane
Kathie Lapcevic says
I just use olive oil
Sherryl says
I made some fresh red clover tea for jelly, but I haven’t made the jelly yet. How long can the fresh strained tea stay in the
refrigerator before you make the jelly. It still looks clear after two full days.
Kathie Lapcevic says
I wouldn’t let go much longer than 3 days. You could freeze the tea and then thaw when you’re ready to make the jelly.
Omis says
I finally found a Red Clover tea recipe for anyone wanting to use it , I found it on a website that hopefully will be useful http://wanderingendearments.blogspot.com/2016/09/wildcrafting-red-clover-uses-and-recipes.html?m=1
Becky says
I can’t seem to keep them from turning brown while drying…what am i doing wrong
Kathie Lapcevic says
They definitely lose color. Are you drying away from sunlight? The other thing I’ve heard but not tested is that handling the blossoms to much with your fingers can cause them to turn brown. I try not to handle the petals at all, just the stems.
Trish says
Hello, I just came across this article on Red Clover on Pinterest. I have some questions, if you don’t mind. First, I thought red clover was, well, red. The photo in this article appears to be lavender. I have clover in my yard with red flowers and some with white flowers. If the lavender colored clover is call “red clover,” then what is the red colored clover called and what about consuming it? Same question for the clover in my yard with white flowers. I’m being sincere with these questions, not trying to be a smartass. Hope to hear back from you. Thanks!
Kathie Lapcevic says
The flowers are more purple than red. There is however a ‘crimson clover’ depending on your location in the world that is more of deep red color. There is also white clover – usually smaller than red clover. The white clover is edible and has some medicinal uses. I don’t know as much about the crimson clover other than a lot of folks use it for a cover crop in gardens but maybe knowing that there is a crimson variety can help you find what you need to know.