Medical expert of the article
New publications
Preparations
Red clover for bronchitis coughs
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Red clover (red clover or meadow clover) is a fairly common plant that can be found not only in fields, but also in urban areas (in plantings, parks, near cellars of residential buildings, etc.). But seeing these amazing fluffy pink round flowers, few people think that such an unpretentious plant is actually a very effective medicine for bronchitis.
Pharmacodynamics
Clover has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant and secretolytic effects. In case of cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma, clover helps to increase the secretion of the bronchial glands, liquefy sputum (mucolytic effect) and make it easier to expectorate. At the same time, it reduces swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes, and also helps to quickly restore tissues.
Dosing and administration
Flowers, leaves and roots of the plant are used to treat coughs.
An infusion and decoction are prepared from the plant's flowers. For an infusion, take 2 tablespoons of crushed raw materials per glass of boiling water, for a decoction - 1 tablespoon. Take the medicine before meals.
Infusion: flowers are infused with boiling water for an hour, then filtered and taken 50 ml 4 times a day.
Decoction: bring the mixture to a boil and keep it on the fire for 1-2 minutes, then leave it for another hour. Drink strained three times a day, 100 ml.
A decoction can be prepared from the roots, which has a healing effect on bronchopulmonary diseases. 3 tablespoons of dry crushed roots are poured with a glass of boiling water and the composition is kept in a water bath for about half an hour. After the decoction has cooled, it is filtered and diluted with boiled water so that the total volume is equal to 200 ml. Take the medicine before meals. Frequency of administration is 4-6 times a day. Single dose is 1 tablespoon.
To treat colds and restore strength after a serious illness, it is recommended to take fresh clover juice. To prepare the juice, use a meat grinder or blender. The crushed raw material is filtered through cheesecloth. You need to drink 1 glass of juice 3 times a day.
Contraindications
Like other herbs, red clover will not be useful for everyone. It is not recommended to use it in various recipes for patients with varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, severe heart pathologies, during exacerbation of chronic liver and kidney diseases, after a stroke, with regular bowel disorders, with hypersensitivity to the plant. Traditional medicine does not recommend using clover medicines for pregnant women and cancer patients (estrogen-dependent pathologies), because the herb can act like the hormone estrogen, which in these situations is fraught with complications.
[ 7 ]
Side effects red clover
Taking clover recipes can cause allergic reactions in the form of rashes and itching on the skin. Patients may complain of pain syndrome (migraine-like and muscle pain), nausea. It can provoke bleeding, so the herb is not recommended for use within 2 weeks before or after surgery.
Interactions with other drugs
Storage conditions
Clover flowers should be harvested in the summer-autumn period, when the plant is actively blooming. It is necessary to pick not only the flower heads themselves, but also the leaves adjacent to them. The roots are collected in the fall, after the plant has finished blooming.
Dry the raw material in the air or in a dryer at forty degrees, stirring it periodically until it wilts well. Clover flowers can be stored for no more than 2 years, but it is better to renew the stock annually. The root is well stored for 2-3 years.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Red clover for bronchitis coughs" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.