Herb's Introduction
White Clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe and Central Asia, which has become naturalized and widespread across temperate regions worldwide, including the Himalayas and Nepal, where it has been introduced primarily for forage improvement. It's an ecologically significant plant known for its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria in its root nodules, making it highly valuable in agriculture and for improving soil fertility. Beyond its ecological and agricultural utility, it holds a place in folk medicine for its various mild, but notable, therapeutic properties, often used interchangeably with or similarly to its close relative, Red Clover (Trifolium pratense).
Name in Different Countries
Scientific Name: Trifolium repens L. English: Creeping white clover, Dutch Clover, Ladino Clover, White Dutch Clover, Shamrock. Arabic: قرط (qurṭ), قدب (qadb), قرض (qaraḍ) Bulgarian: Пълзяща детелина (Pŭlzyashta detelina) Chinese: 白车轴草 (Bái chē zhóu cǎo) Dutch: witte klaver Finnish: valkoapila French: Trèfle rampant Georgian: სამყურა მხოხავი (samq'ura mxoxavi) German: Weiss-Klee Italian: trifoglio bianco Japanese: シロツメクサ (Shirotsumekusa) Korean: 토끼풀 (Tokkipul) Romanian: Trifoi Alb Russian: klever belyj, Клевер ползучий (Klever polzuchiy) Swedish: hvitklöfver Vietnamese: Đậu chẽ ba hoa trắng Welsh: meillion gwyn
Terminology
Family: Leguminosae (or Fabaceae) - The pea family. Perennial: A plant that lives for more than two years. Creeping/Stoloniferous: Refers to its growth habit, where stems (stolons or runners) spread horizontally along the ground and can root at the nodes. Trifoliate: Having leaves composed of three leaflets, characteristic of the Trifolium genus (clovers), which gives rise to the common "shamrock" shape. Nitrogen Fixation: The process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into organic compounds by specialized microorganisms in the plant's root nodules, significantly enriching the soil. Cyanogenic Glycosides: Chemical compounds present in some varieties that can release Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) when the plant material is crushed or chewed, leading to toxicity in certain circumstances, particularly for livestock.
Availability
Trifolium repens is one of the most widely distributed clover species globally. Native Range: It is native to temperate parts of Europe, Northwest Africa, and Asia, extending to the Himalayas and Mongolia. Global Distribution: It has been naturalized in almost all temperate regions of the world due to its introduction as a forage crop. Availability in Nepal: It is widely found in Nepal, particularly in meadows, pastures, and disturbed grasslands from lower to high altitudes (up to around 4,000 meters). It was introduced for forage improvement, especially for over-sowing into native pasture lands, and is a common sight in lawns and roadsides across the country. It is relatively easy to find in the wild across its distribution range.
External Look
White Clover is a low-growing, creeping plant: Height & Habit: The plant is generally low-growing, about 6 inches (15 cm) tall. It produces elongated, hairless stems (stolons) that sprawl along the ground and root at the nodes, allowing it to form dense colonies or mats. Leaves: Trifoliate (three leaflets), with long, hairless petioles. The leaflets are typically obovate or ovate with finely serrate margins. A characteristic but often irregular feature is a pale or white chevron (upside-down 'V') mark across the upper surface of each leaflet. Flowers: Flowers are small, narrowly tubular, and densely clustered into showy, more or less globular flowerheads about ¾ inch (2 cm) across. They are produced on long, naked stalks (peduncles) that are usually taller than the leaves. The flowers are typically white or pinkish-white and gradually turn brown as they age. Fruit/Seedpod: Small, inconspicuous seedpods containing a few small, flat, round, or slightly heart-shaped seeds. Root System: Consists of a shallow, branching taproot in addition to the adventitious roots formed at the nodes of the creeping stems. Getty Images
Healing Properties
While less studied than Red Clover, Trifolium repens has traditional uses and emerging scientific support: Antioxidant Activity: Flower extracts have shown good radical scavenging activity, suggesting potential health benefits against oxidative stress. Anti-inflammatory: Traditional use and some research suggest anti-inflammatory properties, which may help with conditions like arthritis and joint pain. Enzyme Inhibition: Extracts have demonstrated promising α-amylase and lipase inhibitory activities in vitro. This suggests a potential role in managing post-prandial hyperglycemia (blood sugar spikes) and reducing fat absorption, indicating potential benefits for diabetes and obesity management. Anticancer Potential: Extracts have shown cytotoxic effects against specific human cancer cell lines, particularly Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) cells, in laboratory studies. Wound Healing: Topical application (ointment) of white clover extract has been demonstrated to potentially speed up wound healing in animal models. Traditional Uses: Historically used as an Antirheumatic, Depurative (blood purifier), Tonic, and an Ophthalmic agent (eyewash). It has also been used for fevers, colds, coughs, and chronic skin diseases (like eczema and psoriasis).
Advantages
The advantages of Trifolium repens are multifaceted, extending beyond medicinal use: Nutritional Value: Leaves and flowers are edible and nutritious, containing vitamins (A, C, E, B-vitamins) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, chromium). Soil Health & Sustainability: It's an excellent green manure and ground cover crop. Its nitrogen-fixing ability enriches the soil, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Ecological Role: It provides essential pollen and nectar for honeybees and other pollinators, making it valuable for biodiversity. Resilience: It is hardy, tolerates heavy grazing and mowing, and can grow in poor or compacted soils, making it highly valuable in pastures and lawns. Accessibility: As a common and widespread plant, it is easily accessible for foraging and cultivation.
Uses
Medicinal: Internal: Used as an infusion or decoction for coughs, colds, fevers, rheumatism, and as a tonic/blood purifier. External: Infusion of flowers used as an eyewash; leaves sometimes applied as a poultice for wounds, sores, and gout. Culinary: Leaves: Young leaves are eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach (best cooked for easier digestion). Flowers/Seedpods: Used fresh in salads or dried and ground into a nutritious flour or powder to be mixed with other foods or used as a seasoning. Tea: Dried flowering heads or leaves are used to brew an herbal tea (infusion), sometimes noted for a vanilla-like flavor when dried. Agricultural/Ecological: Forage: A primary forage crop for livestock due to its high palatability and nutritional value. Green Manure: Used to improve soil fertility and structure through nitrogen fixation. Ground Cover: Excellent for lawns and orchards, tolerating trampling and preventing soil erosion.
Using way
The usage of White Clover largely depends on its intended purpose: Herbal Tea/Infusion: Parts Used: Fresh or dried leaves and flower heads. Method: Infuse 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb (or a small handful of fresh herb) in hot water for about 5-10 minutes. This is a common method for treating colds, fevers, and coughs, or as a general tonic. Topical Application (Poultice/Ointment): Parts Used: Fresh leaves or a leaf/flower extract. Method: Fresh leaves can be crushed and applied directly to the skin to soothe irritations, minor wounds, or for conditions like gout (traditional use). Extracts are used in ointments for wound healing. Culinary Use: Leaves: Added to salads or soups, or boiled for 5-10 minutes to improve digestibility if used as a potherb. Flowers/Seeds: Dried and ground into flour for baking or sprinkled as a garnish. Caution: Some varieties contain cyanogenic glycosides and can liberate HCN when ingested raw, though the effect on humans is usually minor and often negated by cooking. It is best consumed in moderation, and individuals on blood-thinning or hypertension medication should consult a doctor due to its mild blood-thinning potential.
Conclusion
White Clover (Trifolium repens), a vigorous, creeping legume widespread across the globe and a significant introduced species in Nepal's agricultural landscape, offers a blend of ecological, nutritional, and modest medicinal benefits. While highly valued as a superior forage and soil-enhancing green manure, its role in traditional medicine—as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and remedy for common ailments like colds and skin issues—is supported by its rich content of flavonoids and other phytochemicals. Its uses range from herbal teas and topical applications for skin health to being an edible part of a healthy diet, making this humble lawn weed a versatile and noteworthy plant.
