It’s St Patrick’s Day! And while social distancing, corona virus and hand washing are front of mind we hope that in the confines of your home you’ll play some fine Irish music, have a Guinness or wine and pay homage to this Irish saint on 17th March. Clover is said to be lucky and symbolic in Irish folk lore. This week Julia Richards, our wellness writer looks at the red version and the benefits of using red clover…sorry readers put on your rose coloured glasses for the feature photo…I could only find green clover! A terrific article though ………
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a flowering herb with medicinal uses and some interesting connections to St Patrick’s Day. Historically, the three leaves on the plant were associated with the Christian Holy Trinity. Then in the Middle Ages, it was used as a protective charm against witches. Like the four leaf clover, a red four leaf clover is considered lucky. Some believe the red leaf clover is the actual true shamrock planted by St. Patrick in Ireland. Regardless of the folk lore, red clover can be beneficial for many conditions.
The main active chemicals in red clover responsible for its beneficial actions are: isoflavones (act like a bioidentical estrogen hormone) and salicylic acid (softens the skin and sloughs away dead skins cells on the top of the skin).
Cardiovascular health
Studies on menopausal women show that the isoflavones in Red clover reduce arterial stiffness, thin the blood and reduce the possibility of blood clots and arterial plaques. They also work to increase good HDL cholesterol in pre and postmenopausal women.
Menopausal benefits
The estrogen- like effects of the isoflavones in Red clover makes it a useful herb for managing menopausal symptoms. It can help reduce: anxiety and depression; hot flushes; inflammation; and triglycerides (fat).
Bone health
The isoflavones in red clover are thought to help decrease the risk of women developing osteoporosis later in life.
Skin health
The salicylic acid in red clover helps improve the skin. It is a useful herb in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis and acne.
Antimicrobial benefits
Cell-based studies have shown that the isoflavones in red clover extract stopped the growth of and killed the bacteriaClostridium sticklandii. This is why it has been traditionally used for colds, bronchitis, sore throats and whooping cough.
Anti-tumour benefits
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have found anti-tumour properties in red clover from genistein, a specific isoflavone that prevents tumours from developing the blood supplies they need to survive, thereby killing them.
Good source of vitamins and minerals
Red clover is also a good source of calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine and Vitamin C.
Cautions
Red clover is not suitable if you are:
- Pregnant due to its estrogenic effect
- Taking blood thinners because it contains compounds that can cause blood thinning and prevent blood clot formation. It could increase the risk of bleeding.
Always seek a qualified Medical Herbalist before using herbs.
Always check how the herb interacts with any medication you are taking.
Julia Richards is a qualified Medical Herbalist and Director of Enhance One Limited, a consultancy passionate about helping individuals, groups, families, communities and organisations be the best they can be physically, mentally and emotionally. To achieve this, Julia uses a holistic approach to help youenhanceyourself by drawing on her experience and studies in personal development, life coaching, aromatherapy, nutrition, herbal medicine and other wellbeing techniques. Julia helps you design a wellbeingplan thatis unique toyou and works in a complementary way with your doctor or any other therapist you are seeing tohelp you make improvements in your health. Julia offers individual consultations and group workshops.
FAQs
The triple-leafed herb invoked the sacred for a variety of ancient cultures; Greeks and Romans associated it with the triad goddesses, while the clover reminded Celtic priests of their three-lobed symbol of the sun. Druids believed the blossoms could ward off nasty spells and evil spirits.
What does the red shamrock mean? ›
Historically, the three leaves on the plant were associated with the Christian Holy Trinity. Then in the Middle Ages, it was used as a protective charm against witches. Like the four leaf clover, a red four leaf clover is considered lucky. Some believe the red leaf clover is the actual true shamrock planted by St.
What does the red four leaf clover mean spiritually? ›
The four-leaved clover has been a symbol of good luck and fortune for centuries, but how did it come to be? The belief in the luckiness of the four-leaved clover can be traced back to ancient Druids who believed that it had mystical powers and could ward off evil spirits.
What's more lucky 3 or 4 leaf clover? ›
A fourth leaf is where we get the luck from. The four-leafed clover, or “lucky clover”, is an uncommon variation of the three-leafed clover, and widely considered to be a symbol of good luck. Because they are a mutation, they are rare, and not found in the same abundance as the shamrock, and thus, considered lucky.
What is the power of red clover? ›
Modern scientific tests have shown that red clover contains isoflavones, plant-based chemicals that produce estrogen-like effects in the body. Isoflavones have shown potential in the treatment of several conditions associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, cardiovascular health, and osteoporosis.
What is the superstition about the clover? ›
According to the legend, the leaves of a four-leaf clover represent hope, faith, love, and a fourth for good luck. A common belief during the Middle Ages was if someone carried a four-leaf clover, they would have the ability to see fairies.
Is the shamrock a pagan symbol? ›
The shamrock and Irish culture are so intertwined thanks to Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick. Legends attest to St. Patrick using the three petals of the shamrock to illustrate the mysteries of the Holy Trinity to the Celtic pagans.
What does the 666 in a shamrock mean? ›
There are many ways to denote the Aryan Brotherhood, including the letters AB, the numbers 12, representing the first and second letters of the alphabet. The number of the beast, 666, is also commonly used in Aryan Brotherhood tattoos.
What is the folklore of red clover? ›
Folklore and Symbolism: In the middle ages, clover was carried because of the belief that it would keep evil spirits and witches at bay. The three leaves symbolize the trinity in christianity.
What is the difference between a shamrock and a clover? ›
For starters, shamrocks always have three leaves, while clovers can have a fourth leaf. Shamrocks are usually green, but you can find purple, green or white clover. Finally, shamrocks grow in clumps, while four-leaf clovers are rare and grow one at a time.
The leaves of four-leaf clovers are said to stand for faith, hope, love, and luck. It's often said that Ireland is home to more four-leaf clovers than any other place, giving meaning to the phrase “the luck of the Irish.” If you're lucky enough to find a four-leaf clover, look for more!
What is the luckiest clover in the world? ›
The four-leaf clover is a rare variation of the common three-leaf clover that has four leaflets instead of three. According to traditional sayings, such clovers bring good luck, although it is not clear when or how this idea began.
What does the 4 leaf clover mean in Christianity? ›
The four-leaf-clover meaning became intertwined with Christianity, so the first three leaves came to represent faith, hope and love, and the fourth leaf, God's grace or luck.
What happens when you find a four-leaf clover? ›
Four-leaf clovers, aside from being considered good luck, are said to be symbols of faith, love, hope and good fortune. Unlike shamrocks, which have three leaves, four-leaf clovers aren't considered religious symbols, especially not in Ireland.
What is the symbolic meaning of clover? ›
Approximately 1 out of every 10,000 clovers has an extra leaf, making this occurrence a lucky phenomenon. The most widely recognized meaning of the quatrefoil or clover symbol is luck. Each leaf of a clover is considered a representation of good fortune, with the fourth leaf symbolizing luck beyond the ordinary.
What is the role of red clover? ›
The main role of red clover is for silage production, although it is often grazed by cattle or sheep after the final silage cut in the autumn.
What does the crimson clover symbolize? ›
What does it mean when someone says they are a “crimson and clover”? Literally Speaking the song “crimson and clover” was fairly straightforward. “Crimson” is associated with the color red, a hue also associated with love, while “Clover” is a specific species of flower. Love is blossoming.
