COMMON NAMES : Red Clover, Honey, Honeystalks, Honeysuckle Clover, Knap, Marlgrass, Meadow Clover, Purplewort, Real Sweet Clover, Suckles, Three-leaved Grass, Trefoil, Trifoil, Cowgrass

ELEMENT : Air

RULING PLANET : Mercury

GENDER : Masculine

MAGICKAL POWERS : Protection, Money, Love, Fidelity, Exorcism, Success

DESCRIPTION : This familiar annual may sometimes be biennial. Clover grows to 18 inches. The leaves are divided into 3 oval, oblong or obovate leaflets that are finely toothed. Each leaflet is marked with a prominent "V" shape in a lighter color. The flowers are on rounded heads that may hold from 50 to 200 florets, appearing May through September. The colors of flowers range from pink to red. Other colors of clover flowers are white, purple, yellow and combinations of these colors.

There are three types of red clover, wild, early flowering, and late flowering. The most commonly cultivated red clover in the United States is the early flowering type, which produces two to four crops a year.

White clover has white or pinkish-white flowers. Its stems spread along the ground and take root in the soil at each node.

CULTIVATION : Clover prefers full sun.

PARTS OF THE PLANT USED : The flowerheads and leaves of clover are used.

COLLECTION : Gather the flower heads May through September.

PLANT ANALYSIS : Clover contains estrogens, phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides, vitamins C and B, minerals, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, chorine, calcium, and lecithin.

MEDICINAL USE :Conventional medicine has not yet confirmed the folk uses of this plant.

Herbalist have recommended clover for detoxification, rebuilding, stimulation, cleansing, skin ailments and wounds. It is considered soothing to nerves and ulcers.

It is said to be useful for children with skin problems such as childhood eczema. It has also been used for chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. Other uses included: coughs and bronchitis because of its expectorant and antispasmodic action, malignant ulcers, scrofula, indolent sores, rectal and vaginal irritation, and burns.

It has also been used to treat asthma, athlete's foot, cancer, catarrh, chicken pox, constipation, dyspepsia, and impetigo.

Make a strong tea and use as a gargle 4-5 times a day for sore and inflamed throats.

Use clover in a poultice for athlete's foot and other skin problems.

Clover was used in anti-asthma cigarettes. It was said to open bronchial tubes. This use continued until the 1970's and 80,s, when it was replaced by synthetic drugs.

MEDICINAL ACTION : This plant is considered diuretic, expectorant, alterative, antispasmodic, and sedative.

DOSAGE : For an infusion, steep 2 teaspoons of flowering tops in 1/2 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Take 1 to 1 1/2 cups a day with or without honey.

For a tincture the dose is from 5-30 drops, taken in water.

MAGICKAL USE : Wear any variety of clover as a protective amulet.

Use clover in a lust potion.

HISTORY : The common names honeysuckle and suckles refer to the honey that can be sucked from the flowers.

It is believed the true clovers were brought from Europe and south west Asia Minor as forage plants. It is now naturalized in North America. There are 80 species listed as indigenous to North America.

Russians know clover as clever. It is considered a strong natural antiseptic, and is used in poultices for burns and abscesses. The juice from fresh clover leaves has been used as an external eye wash. A decoction of the leaves were combined with salt and used as a poultice for headaches.

Clover is a favorite food for livestock and poultry, and has also been used as a food source for humans. Native American tribes ate it raw or cooked. The flowers were used fresh or dried to brew tea for fevers, kidney ailments and as a gynecological aid. Iroquois used clover for strengthening blood. The high protein leaves are a staple in China.

Clover was originally included in a famous cancer remedy in the 1940's called Hoxsey's Cure. Surgery or radiation were the accepted "legitimate" treatments for cancer at that time. Hoxsey thought differently and headed a chain of clinics for cancer patients.

Anticancer chemicals have been discovered in this plant.Compounds detected in clover by laboratory investigation may be helpful with fighting breast cancer. Further investigation is needed for this plant.

Clover had been a popular European folk medicine. A tea made from flowering tops was believed to stimulate the liver and gallbladder. It was also taken for constipation and sluggish appetite.

Clover is the state flower of Vermont.

LORE : If you find a two leaved clover, soon you will also find a lover.

If love has disappointed you, wrap clover in a piece of blue silk and wear near your heart. It will help you through it.

To remove negative spirits, sprinkle an infusion of clover around the affected area.

Place clover in your left shoe and forget about it. It will protect you from evil.

Clover grown in the garden will keep away snakes.

Wear clover over your right breast. It will bring success in all undertakings.

To avoid military service, wear a four leaf clover.

It also protects against madness, strengthens psychic powers, and leads the wearer to gold, money or treasures.

Keep a slip of clover in your pocket, and you will be able to feel the presence of spirits around you.

If you wish to see fairies, lay seven grains of wheat on a four-leaf clover, and they will appear to you.

To find mutual love, eat a four-leaf clover with your intended.

To increase your chance of meeting a rich, new love, put a four-leaf clover in your shoe before going out.

The five-leaved clover was said to be a powerful attracter of money.

White clover is used against hexes. Wear or scatter around your home.

To deal with financial arrangements successfully, add red clover to your bath.

CULINARY : Dried clover blossoms were put in soups and stews. They added vitamins and minerals and a hint of sweetness from their honey. This hint of sweetness usually doesn't survive unless sun-dried, and fairly fresh. Fresh clover blossoms cooked for a very short time in a small amount of water, with butter and brown sugar, is quite good.