Benefits of White Clover – Plus Easy Teas and Other Uses
When our yard became blanketed with clovers last year, my daughter started wondering how we could use them. “Can you eat clover, Mom?” “Can we make tea?” “Are they good for you?” How do you use white clover? I didn’t know much about them at the time!
Since then we’ve started exploring all that these amazing plants are good for! Parenting is about learning with your kids, right?! From medicinal uses to weed control and from protection against soil erosion to feeding our honey bees and harvesting clover honey, this perennial plant has way more uses than I ever knew.
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Outside, the cheerful white flowers improve soil health. And inside, we can use them for teas, salads, poultices, infusions, and more. Of course, there’s also the fun in hunting for a four-leaf clover (which, somehow, my 5-year-old has found more of than I have in my entire life!)!
Clover plants are so much more than just another weed. This native plant grows in a wide range of soils, so enjoy collecting some of these incredible plants and using them however you like! You can find 5 of our favorite ways below!
What is White Clover?
Common white clover (Trifolium repens) is a white-flowered perennial. (As seen below, white clover flowers can also have a pink hue.) It’s most often found in fertile soils, but it can also grow in sandy and clay soil conditions. It can handle a wide range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
You’ll usually see its individual flowers clustered together, forming the familiar round, dense heads that dot a grass lawn or pasture. Thanks to its rapid growth and ability to spread across the soil surface, white clover forms a dense ground cover that outcompetes many weeds and helps protect your soil. It can also be used as a living mulch in between vegetables.
But so much more than providing pretty flowers and four-leaf clovers, it’s a powerhouse for pollinators and beneficial insects. It can also help with nitrogen fixation—which improves soil and makes it a favorite for organic gardeners and anyone interested in sustainability.
Other Types of Clover
Besides white clover, other common types of clover in North America are red clover (Trifolium pratense) and strawberry clover (Trifolium fragiferum). Both are edible!
Health Benefits of White Clover
White clover has a lot of benefits to your yard, including:
- Erosion control
- Weed reduction
- Improving soil moisture
- Improves aeration and lessens soil compaction with its dense roots
But the benefits of the white clover plants and their dainty, beautiful flower heads are just the beginning. White clover has been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries thanks to its many health benefits. Isn’t it mind blowing how many common plants are just absolute nutritional powerhouses?
Here are some of the top health benefits of the white clover plant:
- Rich in Nutrients: White clover is packed with vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- Immune Support: Herbalists have long used white clover tea to help fight off colds, coughs, and fevers. Clover’s gentle immune-boosting properties make it an excellent herb to keep on hand.
- Skin Healing: White clover has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s sometimes used as a poultice or infused oil to treat minor wounds, burns, and rashes.
- Digestive Aid: A mild tea made from white clover flowers and leaves can help ease upset stomachs, nausea, and dizziness.
A quick note: While white clover is generally safe in moderate amounts, it can have a mild blood-thinning effect. If you’re pregnant, nursing, or on medication, you should check with your healthcare provider before adding large amounts to your diet.
5 Easy Ways to Use White Clover
Now that you know why white clover is such an amazing plant, here are 5 ways you can use it in your own kitchen.
1. White Clover Hot Tea
One of the easiest and most soothing ways to use white clover is to make a gentle herbal tea. Simply gather fresh or dried white clover blossoms (make sure your clover hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals), steep them in hot water, and enjoy!
White clover tea is slightly sweet and grassy, perfect for sipping on a cool evening or when your body needs an herbal boost.
For step-by-step instructions, check out this blog post: White Clover Tea
2. Homemade Clover Iced Tea
Iced clover tea is a perfect way to get a flood of nutrients on a hot summer day. For different flavors, try combining your fresh or dried clover flowers with mint leaves, chamomile, or lavender.
To make iced clover tea:
- Steep 1/4 fresh flowers (or 2 T. dried flowers) with 8oz hot water.
- Steep ~5 minutes.
- Strain and add ice. Enjoy!
3. Add to Salads
Both white clover leaves and flowers of white clover are edible. Tossing them in a salad is an easy way to add a nutritious boost to your lunch or dinner! Just add a handful of clean blossoms or leaves to a green salad. You get a beautiful pop of color plus an extra burst of vitamins!
4. Herbal Popsicles
Herbal popsicles are one of our favorite summer treats! The combinations of fruits and herbs you can blend together are basically unlimited. Popsicles are easy to make, perfect for summer months, and a simple way to sneak in a burst of nutrition. They’re wonderful for kids and also make an impressive, vitamin-packed treat for entertaining guests in the hottest months.
We love watermelon and white clover popsicles—they’re packed with flavor and lots of nutrients! But you can also experiment with lots of other fruits and flavors. Just blend your fruit with some cold water, clover, and any other favorite herbs.
Feel free to add a bit of honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness.
Here are our favorite popsicle molds from Amazon.
5. White Clover Honey or Vinegar Infusion
Another easy way to capture the gentle flavor of white clover by infusing it into honey or apple cider vinegar. Just fill a clean jar with fresh clover blossoms, cover with honey or vinegar, and let it steep for a few weeks.
Strain, then use your infused honey on toast or in tea, or drizzle the vinegar over salads for a unique, floral twist.
Tips for Harvesting White Clover
- Pick in late spring or early summer: The best time to pick white clover is when the flowers are fully open but still fresh. During the late spring or early summer, the plant’s nutrients and flavor are at their best.
- Harvest from clean areas: Be sure to pick clover from areas that you know haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.
- Leave some for the bees: Clover is important for pollinators! Be sure to leave some flowers for bees and other beneficial insects.
FAQs About Using Clover
What time of year does clover grow?
The clover growing season starts in the late springtime for most areas and goes through the summer.
For clover planting, the best time for most areas is in the early spring. However, in temperate climates, it can also be planted in early fall.
What’s the best way to store clover for later use?
Dried clover can be stored for many months. We’ve dried ours on a wicker basket with plenty of airflow. You could also use a clean screen or a food dehydrator. For large batches, the paper bag method is my favorite way to dry herbs.
Store in a clean, airtight glass jar.
Enjoy Those Nutrient-Packed Clovers!
Since we found out how amazing white clover is, my kids haven’t been able to stop collecting its beautiful white flowers from all over our grass lawn for all sorts of uses. Just today, on a rainy summer morning, we enjoyed a pot of warm clover tea around a puzzle at the kitchen table.
I love when one of God’s most beneficial plants is also so prolific and easy to access! Next time you look at a clover lawn, you won’t be able to help seeing all of the amazing benefits it offers! Pick some of those lovely flowers and enjoy them in tea, blend up some herbal popsicles, or add it to this evening’s salad!
Have you tried using white clover in your kitchen or medicine cabinet? Share your favorite tips and recipes in the comments below!
