Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (2024)

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (1)

With Spring blossoming and slowly transitioning to summer, flowers and medicine herbs of all sorts are taking turns shining in the spotlight.

One of the easiest and best ways to enjoy Nature’s bounty is through a simple herbal sun tea – like this one with red clover and honeysuckle!

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (2)

Whether you’re looking for a Spring tonic – an herbal drink to help the body transition from Winter’s stagnation into Spring’s movement – an herbal remedy for an ailment, or simply a way to enjoy the wild flowers and herbs around you, an herbal sun tea is maybe the easiest option.

Simply – a sun tea is a material (root, leaf, flower, etc) combined with water in a glass jar that you let sit on your window sill for a length of time.

The warmth of the sun’s rays heats up the water, extracting the nutrition and healing from whatever material is within it.

Drink it as is, or strain and cool it in the refrigerator.

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (3)

Medicinal Benefits of Red Clover

Red clover grows wild in some of the most unforgiving situations – college campuses, construction sites, the sides of highways.

But it is a gentle but powerful medicine.

A member of the pea family, it’s three leaflets and red-purplish flowers are easily recognizable without any dangerous look-alikes.

As a member of the pea (legume) family, clover extracts nitrogen from the atmosphere and fixes it into the soil and is often used as a cover crop and soil builder.

Red clover is rich in protein (including all of the amino acids), as well as Vit B, Vit C, calcium, megnesium, thiamine, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, and iron.

All of the vitamins and minerals in red clover are water soluable, so a gentle sun tea extract in water is the perfect way to capture the medicinal and nutritional benefits of clover.

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (4)

Medicinally, red clover is considered an alterative. (For more herbal actions and the definitions, check out my post on the Top 18 Herbal Actions).

Alteratives help the body over time to remove metabolic waste products, and in doing so, absorb nutrients better.

It has often been used as a blood cleanser, and as a diuretic, keeps fluids moving throughout the lymphatic system and eliminates waste through the urinary system.

Is it any wonder that red clover is one of the first flowers to emerge every Spring – when humans need the most blood and lymphatic cleansing after a stagnant Winter of heavy foods?

In addition to being a cleanser, red clover is antispasmodic – helping ease the stomach contractions in a colicy infant (and is gentle enough for use on babies), and releases tension associated with stress headaches.

It’s antispasmodic and expectorant actions make it especially useful in treating colds, flus and dry, hacking coughs.

It’s tannins also help dry the upper respiratory system with a wet cough, postnasal drip and reduces inflammation – while nourishing the immune system and assisting in expelling waste.

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (5)

Medicinal Benefits of Honeysuckle

In addition to being delicious (!), honeysuckle is also anti-inflammatory and has been used to treat upper respiratory infections, colds, flues, and pneumonia.

(Are you starting to see a trend?)

According to Science Alert, honeysuckle has the ability to prevent the influenza virus from replicating.

So not only is this tea delicious, it’s a powerful flu ally.

It is also used for digestive disorders, viral and bacterial infections, fever, sores, urinary disorders, headaches, diabetes, arthritis and cancer.

I bet you didn’t know that when you were drinking it’s necter – sip by sip – as a kid!

You were so smart back then!

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (6)

How to Make an Herbal Sun Tea

To make this red clover and honeysuckle sun tea, harvest red clover and honeysuckle.

Don’t be greedy and leave plenty for the bees!

To make any herbal sun tea, simply put 1-2 cups fresh flowers or herbs into a quart-sized mason jar (I prefer the wide-mouth as they’re easier to clean).

Then cover the fresh plant material with a quart of fresh water.

If you’re on city water, you’ll want to purchase filtered or distilled water.

The chlorine in city water can effect the chemical constituents of the herbs.

Allow your sun tea to sit on a warm window sill for at least a full day.

If you want to drink your sun tea cold, simply strain out the plant material and put in the fridge or add ice.

But most of all, enjoy!

For more information on how to make herbal remedies, including herbal teas, check out Herbal Academy – the best online herbalism education!

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (7)

Red Clover and Honeysuckle - An Herbal Sun Tea Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to process red clover for tea? ›

Red clover can be infused in hot water to make a delicious herbal tea. To make, pour hot water over 1-3 teaspoons of red clover, and let steep for 10-15 minutes. This tea has a natural light sweetness to it, but you can add honey if desired. Because the flowers are edible, you can also use them to brighten up a salad.

What part of clover do you use for tea? ›

A romantic notion, but truly, little compares with wildcrafting on a gorgeous summer day. Roll me Over in the Clover. Red Clover blossoms make the perfect base for a wildcrafted tea blend. They are sweet and tasty and easily available regardless of where you live.

What can I do with red clover leaves? ›

Traditionally, red clover ointments have been applied to the skin to treat psoriasis, eczema, and other rashes. Red clover has also been used as a cough remedy for children. More recently, studies have shown that women using red clover may experience psychological benefits.

How to dry clover flowers for tea? ›

Gather them in the summer when in full bloom, dry in the shade on papers. Put in paper bags when dry and hang in a dry place. Use this tea in place of caffinated tea and you will have spendid results. This can also be used to make iced tea.

Who should not drink red clover tea? ›

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Red clover is commonly consumed in foods. But it's possibly unsafe when used in medicinal amounts. Red clover might act like estrogen, which could affect hormone balances during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Don't use it.

What are the side effects of red clover tea? ›

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Red Clover?
  • estrogen-like effects (bloating, breast tenderness, irregular menstrual periods, decreased sex drive, weight gain, mood changes)
  • rash.
  • muscle ache.
  • headache.
  • nausea.
  • vagin*l bleeding/spotting.

What part of red clover is medicinal? ›

While red clover has lured many to their knees in search of an elusive four-leaved charm, its rosy flowering top is what has brought good fortune to the health and wellness of many over centuries. Puffy and pink during full bloom in spring, red clover blossoms are traditionally used to support skin health.

Can you dry red clover for tea? ›

Once flowers are fully dry and crispy, store them in an. airtight glass jar, away from direct sunlight. Red clover flowers can be used to make a sweet tea, as the phytoestrogen in the flowers can be used to.

Does red clover tea taste good? ›

It still has a grassy taste, but accompanied by a floral note and a faint nectar sweetness. I don't know about you, but with only a few days remaining until the start of summer, the last thing I want is a steaming mug of tea. Fortunately, clover tea is light and refreshing when served iced.

Can I drink red clover tea daily? ›

Some research has found taking 40–80 mg of red clover daily may help reduce severe menopausal hot flashes. However, beyond this, little evidence supports using red clover to treat other health conditions. Though it has a good safety profile, some side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, and vagin*l spotting.

Is red clover tea good for kidneys? ›

Its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce inflammation in the kidneys which can improve overall kidney function. Additionally, red clover tea's high antioxidant content may also help protect the kidneys from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

How long does it take red clover to work? ›

How long does it take for Red Clover to work? This may depend on what you are taking Red Clover for. Some studies have had effective results in as little as 4 weeks, others went on for 12 weeks.

Do you wash flowers before drying for tea? ›

Even so, it's always a good idea to lightly rinse your fresh cut herbs and flowers to remove any dirt before you begin the drying process.

When to cut red clover? ›

The first harvest of red clover should be made when the field is at early bloom. Later cuttings can be made at late bud or early bloom. During hot and dry weather, red clover growth slows down and flowering may occur on short, stunted plants.

How long does red clover take to dry? ›

Recent studies in New York showed that for first cutting of red clover it took 24-30 hours for traditional narrow swaths to dry down enough so it could be ensiled (30% dry matter). Over time, slow dry down has caused some farmers to abandon red clover as a forage crop.

What part of red clover is used for tea? ›

Red clover is usually found as a supplement or tea using dried flower tops. They're also available in tinctures and extracts. You can buy them in most health food stores or online. Most red clover supplements are found in 40–80-mg doses based on clinical research and safety data.

Is red clover edible raw? ›

Culinary use and recipes with Red Clover

Both leaves and flowers are edible. The blossoms have a gentle and sweet taste with a hint of bean flavour when eaten raw. Break up the flower heads and sprinkle the blossoms into salads. They are also a good addition in baking and look beautiful as a garnish.

How to make red clover extract? ›

Red Clover Tincture
  1. Place blossoms into jar and pour alcohol over the blossoms, ensuring all are covered.
  2. Seal your jar and place your clover tincture in a dark cabinet.
  3. Let the tincture sit for 6 weeks and shake occasionally.
  4. Check alcohol level in case of absorption.
Apr 9, 2014

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