Red Clover, Trifolium pretense

Medicinal Use. Uterine Bleeding: Purslane seeds are used for abnormal uterine bleeding. It helps decrease the volume and the duration of bleeding. Asthma and Bronchial Complaints: People who eat purslane in vegetable portions or take purslane extract show improvement in overall pulmonary function. Purslane helps with shortness of breath and opens bronchial tubes to increase oxygen reaching the lungs. For asthma attacks and other bronchial conditions, try a Purslane & Mullein Mix (recipe below). Therapeutic effects of purslane for respiratory diseases are indicated in ancient Iranian medical books. The bronchodilatory effect of the extract of Portulaca oleracea in the airways of asthmatic patients was examined. The results of the study showed that purslane has a relatively potent but transient bronchodilatory effect on asthmatic airways. Diabetes: Purslane seeds or their extracts are effective in improving serum insulin levels and reduce triglycerides with long-term, daily use. People report lower blood sugar readings and better management. Fungal Infections: Purslane has antifungal properties against the most common causes of athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm. Apply purslane extract to affected areas several times a day, until the infection is gone. Lower Cholesterol: Purslane naturally lowers cholesterol due it its high pectin content. Take 1 teaspoon of purslane tincture or 2 teaspoons of fresh purslane juice daily.

Cancer: Gastric Carcinoma and Colon Ade-

noma. Purslane leaves and seeds have been shown to be an anti-cancer medicine for certain cancers. It also has a high Omega 3 and gamma-linoleic acid content. It is an excellent anti-oxidant. Warning: Purslane is considered safe to eat in large portions without any side effects.

Recipes. Purslane & Mullein Mixture for

Asthma: 3 droppers of Purslane tincture, 1 1/2 droppers Mullein tincture, 1/4 cup water. Add the Purslane and Mullein tinctures to the water. Note that when measuring with a dropper, the dropper will not fill up; this is fine. Drink the mixture in part or in full as needed.

Purslane Flower, by Amada44, CC SA 2.0

Red clover is a member of the Fabaceae (Pea) Family. I often find it growing along roadsides and fields. It is a biennial or short-lived perennial that grows to 18 inches (45 cm) tall. Identification: The plant grows from a long, deep taproot and slender, hairy, hollow stems. The leaves are alternate, divided into three leaflets, and green with a pale crescent in the outer half of the leaf. Leaflets are 1/2 to 1 1/5 inches (0.25 cm to 3.125 cm) long and 1/2-inch (0.25 cm) wide and fine-toothed with prominent “V” marks. Pink to red flowers appear in rounded heads from May to September.

By Sanja565658 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Edible Use: I eat the leaves and young flowering heads both raw and cooked. The flowers make a sweet herbal tea and the ground seed pods and flowers can be used as a flour substitute. The taproot is edible when cooked. Medicinal Use. How to Use Red Clover: Red clover can be taken as a dried herb, tincture, or as a tea made from the blossoms. Relieves Symptoms of Menopause: Because of its phytoestrogen isoflavone content, red clover flowers work as a natural alternative to hormone replacement for women. It relieves symptoms of menopause, including reducing the frequency of hot flashes and night sweats. I usually pair it with Black Cohash for menopause symptom relief. Osteoporosis: By acting as a natural hormone replacement, red clover may slow bone loss and even boost bone density in pre- and peri-menopausal women. Cardiovascular Health: Red clover helps protect against heart disease by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol in pre- and post-menopausal women. It also has blood-thinning properties, which improve blood flow and prevent clotting.

Skin Conditions Including Eczema, Psoria-

sis, and Other Skin Irritations: Red clover flower tea, supported with yellow dock and nettles, is an excellent internal remedy for skin irritations. Use an external poultice made from chopped red clover flower and water applied directly to skin lesions. Harvesting: Harvest red clover from fields, away from heavy pollution areas such as roadsides. Unlike most herbs, red clover needs to be harvested in the early morning while there is still some dew present on the flower. Pick the blossoms one to two weeks after blooming. Snip the blossom head off and leave the rest of the plant alone. Use the blossoms fresh or place them on a drying rack in a warm dark, ventilated, and dry place. Turn them frequently until the blossoms are dried through. Store the dried herb in a cool, dry, and dark place. When harvesting young leaves, try to get them before the plant flowers. Use them cooked as a green, in soups, and salads. The leaves can also be dried and powdered for use as a flavoring on foods. They tend to be more bitter after the flowers appear. Warning: In general, red clover is very safe, with few side effects, except for occasional gas. The anticoagulant effect and hormonal effects may be undesirable for some people. Due to its hormonal activity, don’t use red clover for women with a history of endometriosis, breast cancer, uterine cancer, fibroids, or other estrogen-sensitive conditions. Red clover contains coumarin derivatives and must be used with caution in individuals taking anticoagulation therapy. Also, do not take red clover before surgery or childbirth. It can inhibit blood clotting and healing. Recipes. Red Clover Tea (hot): Red clover blossoms, fresh or dried, and 1 cup boiling water. Steep three fresh red clover blossoms or 2 to 3 teaspoons of dried flowers in 1 cup boiling water. Allow the tea to steep while cooling for 15 minutes. Drink warm or allow to cool for external use. Drink up to three times daily for maximum benefits. Red Clover Tea (Cold): Add one-half cup of red clover blossoms to a quart (a liter) of water and allow it to steep in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Guttorm Raknes, Own work, CC by SA 4.0