White clover

Alternative names : Trifolium repense, Dutch clover, White Trefoil, Shamrock

Native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa, White Clover is a medicinal plant with edible leaves and white or pale pink flowers, especially suitable for salads and soups. Cherokee and Mohegan Indians used White clover flower as a remedy for scrofula, fever, colds and cough, to clean wounds and boils and to purify the blood.

White clover flower tea has a tonic and reinvigorating effect on the body due to its chemical content of vitamin C, B1, B3  and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, chromium and phosphorus.  At the same time, the tea obtained from White clover flowers can be used as an eyewash, treating eye infection and having positive effects on acne and seborrheic conditions.

White clover improves symptoms of colds and flu and is often found in tea compositions for bronchitis and respiratory disease. European folk medicine recommends White clover tea in gastrointestinal pains, while baths with White clover flower decoction are indicated for gout and rheumatic disease.

Although used by women in the treatment of leucorrhoea, White clover is not safe during pregnancy as it can cause uterine contractions and even abortion. White clover can also interfere with anticoagulant medication.

In superstitions, White Clover is a symbol of good fortune and money and in the Middle Ages, the margins of the leaves were considered a symbol of the Holy Trinity. Finding a four leaved clover is said to bring great luck in life and a clover placed under your pillow , or under your bed will keep ghosts away.