A Look at Clover's Nutritional Profile
While largely recognized as a forage crop for livestock, clover can offer various nutrients for human consumption, primarily when young leaves and flowers are eaten. Clover's nutritional value can be particularly impressive when compared to other common greens.
Nutrient Content of Clover
As a legume, clover is naturally high in protein and a range of important minerals, with the exact content varying by species and growth stage.
Here is a breakdown of what clover can offer:
- High Protein: White clover, for instance, contains a higher protein concentration than grass, with levels ranging from 17% to 33% of its dry matter.
- Minerals: Clover is rich in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are vital for bone health and other bodily functions.
- Vitamins: The leaves are a good source of vitamins, including vitamin C, and possess antioxidant properties.
- Isoflavones: Red clover, in particular, is well-known for its high concentration of isoflavones, which are plant-based compounds that exert estrogen-like effects in the body.
Edibility and Safety: Is Clover Safe for Human Consumption?
Yes, young clover leaves and flowers can be eaten in small, fresh amounts by most people. However, several important safety rules must be followed.
Key Safety Precautions for Consuming Clover:
- Forage from Clean Areas: Only harvest clover from areas you know are free of pesticides, herbicides, and other pollutants. Lawns, parks, and roadsides are often treated with chemicals.
- Practice Positive Identification: Ensure you are harvesting true clover (Trifolium species) and not a toxic lookalike. Consult a foraging expert or reliable guide.
- Harvest Young Plants: Young leaves and flowers are the most palatable and digestible. Older leaves can be tougher and less pleasant to eat.
- Avoid Moldy Clover: Sweet clover hay, if baled wet and allowed to mold, can produce the anticoagulant dicoumarol, which is highly toxic. While mainly a risk for livestock from hay, it's a useful caution for any moldy forage.
- Consume in Moderation: Large quantities of raw clover can cause bloating in both humans and livestock.
- Consult a Professional: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid clover, and anyone taking blood-thinning medication or with a history of hormone-sensitive cancers should consult a doctor before consuming large amounts or supplements.
Specific Health Benefits and Uses
The Isoflavone Power of Red Clover
Red clover is particularly celebrated for its medicinal properties, largely due to its high concentration of isoflavones.
- Menopausal Symptom Relief: Red clover isoflavones are known to mimic estrogen in the body, which can help alleviate common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
- Bone Health: Studies on postmenopausal women have shown that red clover isoflavone supplements may help prevent bone loss and potentially increase bone mineral density, addressing a key risk factor for osteoporosis.
- Cardiovascular Support: Research suggests that red clover isoflavones may improve heart health by increasing HDL ('good') cholesterol and enhancing arterial compliance in postmenopausal women. It also appears to have mild blood-thinning properties.
- Detoxification and Lymphatic Health: Historically, red clover has been used as a “blood purifier” and to support lymphatic system function, aiding the body's natural detoxification processes.
The Cleansing Properties of White Clover
While less studied for its estrogenic effects than red clover, white clover also has a long history of use in traditional herbalism for its cleansing and tonic properties.
- Blood Purifier: Traditional use suggests white clover tea can be used to cleanse and purify the blood.
- Skin Conditions: White clover is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, with historical uses including treating skin rashes, eczema, and psoriasis.
- Nourishing Tonic: The leaves are high in vitamins and minerals, making white clover a nutritious and nourishing health tonic when consumed as an infusion.
Comparison: Red Clover vs. White Clover
| Feature | Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) | White Clover (Trifolium repens) |
|---|---|---|
| Key Phytochemicals | High concentration of phytoestrogenic isoflavones | Rich in minerals, vitamins, and other compounds |
| Primary Health Focus | Menopause, bone density, cardiovascular health | Blood purification, skin conditions, general tonic |
| Palatability | Blossoms are mildly sweet; leaves are edible but can be fibrous | Often considered sweeter and more palatable than red clover |
| Culinary Use | Blossoms for tea and garnish; young leaves for salads | Fresh leaves and flowers in salads; leaves cooked like spinach; dried leaves/flowers for tea |
| Estrogen-like Activity | High; responsible for menopausal symptom relief | Low; unlikely to have significant estrogenic effects |
Culinary Applications of Clover
Beyond its health benefits, clover can be a surprisingly versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Both the flowers and young leaves are edible and can add a mild, sweet flavor to dishes.
Here are some culinary uses for clover:
- Salads: Toss fresh, young clover leaves and flowers into a mixed green salad for a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
- Teas and Infusions: Dried red or white clover blossoms make a delicate and mildly sweet herbal tea. Red clover tea is particularly popular for its therapeutic properties.
- Baked Goods: Dried flowers and leaves can be ground into a powder to add a faint vanilla-like flavor to pancakes, muffins, and cookies.
- Cooking: Young leaves can be cooked in the same way you would spinach or other cooked greens. They are delicious when wilted with garlic and oil.
Conclusion
While a common sight in meadows and lawns, clover offers more than meets the eye, providing a decent nutritional profile and specific health benefits, particularly for women's health. With high levels of protein, minerals, and vitamins, clover is a nourishing wild edible, especially when consumed as young leaves or flowers. Red clover's isoflavones have shown potential in alleviating menopausal symptoms and improving bone and cardiovascular health. Meanwhile, white clover is valued for its traditional use as a blood purifier and skin tonic. However, caution is paramount. It is essential to ensure proper identification, source clover from clean, chemical-free areas, and consume it in moderation. Individuals with specific health conditions or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should seek medical advice. When treated with care, this abundant plant can be a valuable addition to a nutrient-rich diet.
A Resource for Safe Foraging
For more in-depth information on foraging wild edibles, consider exploring resources like Green Deane's Eat the Weeds site, which provides comprehensive guides and identification tips for numerous wild plants, including clover.
