Clover Seed (Perseam)
Redclover is a perennial, short duration herb, generally abundant on meadow land of a light sandy nature, where it produces abundant blossom, forming an excellent mowing crop. Several stems arise from one single root and grow upto 1 to 2 feet high branching, reclining, or erect, more or less hairy. Leaves are ternate, ovate, entire, nearly smooth, ending in long point which is often lighter coloured in the centre. Leaves grow on long petioles, commonly compounded of 3, but sometimes of 4 to 11 oval or oblong leaflets, marked with white crescent. The stipules are egg-shaped, sharply pointed, strongly veined, more than 1/2 in. long. Flowers are magenta, pink, or rarely whitish, sweet-scented the tubular corollas set in dense round, oval, or egg-shaped heads about 1 in. long, and seated in a sparingly hairy calyx.
Clover Seed - Clover Seed is used in a wide range of applications. Clover Seed is used as a added ingredient to wildlife food plots as well as horse and cattle pastures. Clover Seed varieties are also commonly used in agricultural cover crop applications to sweeten the soil as they produce natural forms of nitrogen. Planting clover seed in pastures can replenish the nitrogen in the soil for other grasses while providing a adequate protein source for all types of animals. Most clover seeds are planted at 10-20 lbs per acre.
Medicinal Applications
- Redclover is said to have antispasmodic properties.
- It is also used in treating bronchitis, whooping-cough and asthma.
- Fomentations and poultices of the herb have been used as local applications to cancerous growths.
- Redclover speedens up the process of healing wounds and other external injuries.
- It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis and other external conditions.
- It gives relief from menopausal symptoms.
- The expectorant action of the red clover is also made use of in many herbal preparations, especially in the treatment of spasmodic coughs which are persistent.
- Traditionally used as a as a blood purifier, expelling toxins from the bloodstream.
- Red Clover stimulates the production of digestive fluids and bile.
- It is also said to relieve constipation and help soothe inflammation of the bowel, stomach and intestines.
- Red Clover stimulates eostrogenic activity, thus possibly increasing fertility and reducing "hot flashes" experienced by women during menopause.
Commercial Applications
- Red Clover is edible and medicinal, the young leaves and new flowers are harvested, and are used in salads, soups, or as a pot herb.
- Red Clover is widely cultivated and used as a tonic and a salad herb, and it is used by honey makers to add a mild, sweet taste to their honey.
- Redclover serves as common fodder for domestic animals.
