Red Clover Tincture
Alcoholic extract made from fresh red clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense). In folk medicine, red clover is used internally above all for menopausal and cycle-related complaints and as a “metabolism-stimulating” herb, and externally, for example, for dry or irritation-prone skin (as an addition to rubs or diluted compresses).
Clinical studies are available for standardised red clover isoflavone preparations; for homemade tinctures, the data are considerably more limited and the amount of active constituents is more difficult to estimate.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Home remedies, Tincture
Cuisine Traditional herbal medicine
clean screw-top jar (e.g. 250–300 ml)
small sieve, coffee filter, or nut milk bag
brown glass dropper bottles for storage
label for date and contents
- 1-2 loose handfuls of fresh red clover blossoms jar filled to about ½–¾, loosely packed
- 200 ml extraction alcohol with at least 35–40% vol. e.g. vodka, grain spirit – adjust the amount so that all blossoms are fully covered
Carefully check fresh red clover blossoms (shake out insects, remove visible dirt; do not wash to avoid rinsing out aromatic compounds).
Loosely fill the blossoms into the clean screw-top jar without firmly packing them down.
Pour over the alcohol until all plant parts are safely covered.
Close the jar well and label with date and contents.
Leave to macerate for 3–4 weeks in a warm, dark place.
Gently shake the jar every 1–2 days so the constituents distribute well.
After 3–4 weeks, strain the tincture through a filter or fine sieve and press out the plant material thoroughly.
Fill the finished tincture into brown glass dropper bottles and store in a cool, dark place.
- Folk herbal recipes often use dosages of about 2–4 ml tincture up to 3 times daily. Specialist sources mention similar ranges for red clover extracts but emphasise that benefit and safety should always be assessed individually.
- Because of the isoflavones, the same precautions apply as for tea (hormone-dependent tumours, anticoagulants, pregnancy/breastfeeding, children) – the more concentrated form makes it more suitable for use under professional guidance rather than as an everyday home remedy.
- Alcoholic extracts are not suitable for people with alcohol problems or for those who must avoid alcohol completely. In practice, alcohol-free alternatives (e.g. glycerites) are sometimes used, but there is even less data available for these.In t
- he event of unusual symptoms (gastrointestinal complaints, headaches, changes in the menstrual cycle), stop using the tincture and seek medical advice.