Red Clover, Notes- Holmes

Red clover is no easy remedy to classify; its many faceted nature would allow its placement in three different categories. Yet again, we must be content to observe the beauty of a botanical which is unique, individual--before even thinking of trying to make sense of it. A glance at the sheer variety of the chemical constituents found by research confirms its subtle, complex character , to imagine the interrelations between these in the living organism is simply impossible.

At any rate, it is the practical uses to which a remedy is put that also determine its character. Most of Red clover's functions have in common their application to chronic and degenerative conditions found in children and the elderly especially; it is a mild yet deeply acting herb. Its main functions may be described as cleansing, nourishing and relaxing.

Red clover's sweet moist cool energetic qualities determine a soothing, calming, moistening, nourishing remedy, a Yin and blood moistening herb used in locally overactive, dry, irritable or inflamed conditions of the skin and mucosa; and in global, more nutritional deficiencies. Red clover mimics both demulcents and astringents and their resultant vulnerary and anti-inflammatory effects. Its predilection is for the lungs and bronchials and the urinary system: dryness, Yin deficiency, Qi constraint and damp heat are its main energetic indications here. When used to treat deficiency of the blood or fluids with dryness, Red clover is both somewhat nutritive, restorative and fluid generating, resembling a Chinese Yin tonic such as Shi hu, herba Dendrobii.

Red clover's cleansing effects are systemic enough for it to belong to the antidyskratic herb category, however, among herbs that alter toxemia on the fluid organism level, including the blood, in a radical way. Here scrofulous and carcinogenic diatheses especially are addressed, as well as chronic skin conditions--without the help of saponins!

When looking at Red clover's diverse effects, who can say for sure which constituent or which bioenergy is responsible for which effect? Fortunately such speculations are not an immediate therapeutic concern. What is certain is that Red clover is fairly unique in treating conditions containing elements of toxemia, Yin deficiency with dryness and blood deficiency. Like Celery it should be considered when chronic toxemic conditions manifest in the context of deficiency, not excess.