Food Foraging, don’t forget the clover!

There are over 300 different varieties of clover in the world. It grows in most temperate and subtropical regions of the world, except Southeast Asia and Australia. So, chances are fairly good, you have at least one variety of clover growing in your area.

Clover leaves are a very good food source for man and animal. The flowers can be eaten raw, dried to make tea or dried and ground up to make a flour. The seeds are edible and are one of my favorite sprouting seeds.

A side benefit is the fact that bees love clover flowers. Ever heard of clover honey? It is a main source of food for bees and since the bee populations have dwindled so much, you’d be doing the environment a favor to plant some in your yard.

See the little guys peeking out from under the leaf (circled in white)? It is a little hard to see, but there is another plant that looks a lot like clover (circled in red). I have not yet had the time to identify that plant, but I have seen it many times growing with clover. Until it is identified, don’t eat it.

Plant clover instead of grass

There is a small but growing number of people in the USA who are giving up on grass and growing clover in their yards instead.

Why? There are many reasons

1. Depending on which variety you plant, clover only grows between 2 and 8 inches tall and rarely needs mowing. This is good for the environment and your back.
2. Even a small yard would supply a large amount of food in a zombie invasion.
3. It is best to plant both red and white clover together. They are both perennials and work well as a ground cover.
4. Needs less water than grasses and tends to stay green during times grasses will turn brown.
5. Red clover has a long list of medicinal benefits attached to it.
   • Nutrient rich
   • Reduces hot flashes during menopause
   • Some research suggests it help prevent bone loss during aging
   • Thins the blood to help prevent blood clots
   • Historically used to treat a cough
   • May help raise HDL cholesterol
   • Used by many as a supplement when treating cancer as it is thought to slow the growth of cancer.
   • Made into an ointment for use of skin rashes
   • Reduces high blood pressure
   • May help prevent heart disease
   • Helps prevent infections by boosting the immune system
   • Can be applied to the skin to treat skin cancer, burns, eczema, psoriasis or any other skin condition

Red Clover Warnings

1. While rare, it can cause rash-like reactions, muscle ache, headache, nausea, and vaginal bleeding (spotting) in some women.
2. Should not be used by anyone with breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids because of its estrogen like properties
3. Should be used with extreme caution by anyone with any type of blood clotting disorder
4. People with a Protein S deficiency should not use because it might cause blood clotting with this disorder.
5. Should stop using at least 2 weeks before any surgery to prevent excess bleeding.
6. Taking red clover with birth control pills containing estrogen can reduce their effectiveness.
7. Should not be taken when taking estrogen as it may reduce the effectiveness.
8. Should not use red clover if you are taking any medication that is broken down or changed by the liver.

Sources:

Organicfacts.net
Wellnessmama.com
WebMd
Cloverlawn.com