Omnia SanaTrifolium repens
Common names in 31 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 11 pharmacological actions, 15 traditional / indicated uses, with 34 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Low, creeping perennial herb rooting at the nodes, with trifoliate leaves, each leaflet oval and often marked with a pale chevron. Rounded white (sometimes pink-tinged) flower heads are borne on long stalks above the foliage.[30]
Height: 5-15 cm (creeping, flower stalks slightly taller)
Habit: Low, creeping, mat-forming perennial herb
Leaves: Trifoliate, each leaflet oval, often marked with a pale chevron
Flowers: Rounded white (sometimes pink-tinged) heads of small pea-like flowers on long stalks
Stem: Creeping, rooting at the nodes
Root: Fibrous roots with nitrogen-fixing nodules
Fruit: Small pod containing 3-4 seeds
Flowering Period: May-October
Habitat & Distribution
Grows in lawns, pastures, meadows and grassy waste ground; native to Europe and western Asia and now naturalised worldwide, including as a common lawn and forage plant.[30]
Harvesting
Flowering heads and leaves are picked through the flowering season and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[30]
Parts: Flower, Leaf
Season: May-October
Key Constituents
Cyanogenic glycosides (trace)[30]
Present in small amounts; not significant in normal food or tea use.
Glycosides
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
inferred from vulnerary action
Evidence: 1
Label: Bruising
inferred from anticancer action
Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
inferred from immunomodulator action
Evidence: 1
Label: Cold & flu
Evidence: 1
Label: Immune support
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
inferred from antispasmodic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Menstrual cramps
inferred from antispasmodic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Muscle spasm
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
inferred from vulnerary action
Evidence: 7
Label: Wounds
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
inferred from antimicrobial action
Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Evidence: 2
Label: Cognitive function
Traditional Use & History
White clover has a folk tradition, similar to but lighter than its relative red clover, as an anti-inflammatory and wound-healing remedy and mild expectorant, and modern research on its isoflavones and phenolics has additionally investigated antioxidant, kidney-protective and liver-protective activity.[30, 32, 33]
Preparations
Infusion (flower/leaf)[30]
Dried flower and leaf infused in hot water as a traditional mild tonic and expectorant tea.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally very safe as a food and in moderate herbal use. Cyanogenic glucosides present in very small amounts - not significant in normal food or tea use. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens (as in red clover) - same precautions apply in hormone-sensitive conditions. Well tolerated by most people.
Harvest Readiness
[31]
Part: flower
Signals: Gather the white flowerheads while in flower, in summer.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to October.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: PFAF (REF-3359); the flowering heads are gathered while in flower (June-September). Single lineage -> provisional.
[31]
Part: leaf
Signals: Gather the leaves with the flowerheads in summer (the plant is in leaf all year).
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from July to October.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: PFAF (REF-3359); the leaf is gathered with the flowerheads in summer. Single lineage -> provisional.
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Ngangom, L., Venugopal, D. and Pandey, N (2024) 'Investigation of Trifolium repens L. from the Indian Himalayan region as a phyto-therapeutic agent', Natural Product Research, 38(24), pp. 4468-4478. doi:10.1080/14786419.2023.2299319 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2299319 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2020) 'Phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties of Trifolium repens', Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 32(3), pp. 20200015. doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0015 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0015 - Sarno, F., Pepe, G., Termolino, P., Carafa, V. and others (2020) 'Trifolium repens Blocks Proliferation in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia via the BCR-ABL/STAT5 Pathway', Cells, 9(2), pp. 379. doi:10.3390/cells9020379 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9020379 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2020) 'Nephroprotective property of Trifolium repens leaf extract against paracetamol-induced kidney damage in mice', 3 Biotech, 10(12), pp. 541. doi:10.1007/s13205-020-02539-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-020-02539-0 - Kolodziejczyk-Czepas, J (2012) 'Trifolium species-derived substances and extracts--biological activity and prospects for medicinal applications', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 143(1), pp. 14-23. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.048 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.048 - Chen, Y.H., Chen, P., Wang, Y., Yang, C.H., Wu, X., Wu, C.J., Luo, L., Wang, Q., Niu, C. and Yao, J.Y (2019) 'Structural characterization and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of chemical constituents in the extract of Trifolium repens L', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(9), pp. e12981. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12981 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12981 - Habibi Zadeh, S.K., Farahpour, M.R. and Kar, H.H (2020) 'The effect of topical administration of an ointment prepared from Trifolium repens hydroethanolic extract on the acceleration of excisional cutaneous wound healing', Wounds, 32(9), pp. 253-261. doi:10.25270/wnds/2020.253261 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.25270/wnds/2020.253261 - Kicel, A. and Wolbis, M (2012) 'Study on the phenolic constituents of the flowers and leaves of Trifolium repens L', Natural Product Research, 26(21), pp. 2050-2054. doi:10.1080/14786419.2011.637217 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2011.637217 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A (2019) 'Effects of phenolic compounds from aqueous extract of Trifolium repens against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 43(9), pp. e12963. doi:10.1111/jfbc.12963 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.12963 - Borczak, B. and Szewczyk, A. and Domagała, D. and Kapusta-Duch, J. and Leszczyńska, T. and Kotuła, M. and Grulova, D (2024) 'Potential Antidiabetic, Antioxidative and Antiproliferative Properties of Functional Wheat Flour Muffins Enriched with White Clover Flowers (Trifolium repens L.)', Int J Mol Sci, 25(18). doi:10.3390/ijms25189909 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25189909 - Rawat, P. and Kumar, B. and Misra, A. and Singh, S.P. and Singh, S.P. and Srivastava, S (2025) 'Effect of hydrolysed Trifolium repens L. extract on menopause-induced obesity and depressive symptoms: an in vitro and in vivo approach', Nat Prod Res, pp. 1-8. doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2560636 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2025.2560636 - Parić, A. and Mesic, A. and Mahmutović-Dizdarević, I. and Jerković-Mujkić, A. and Žujo, B. and Bašić, N. and Pustahija, F (2024) 'Bioactive potential of Trifolium repens L. essential oil', J Environ Sci Health B, 59(9), pp. 584-594. doi:10.1080/03601234.2024.2396730 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2024.2396730 - Renda, G. and Yalçın, F.N. and Nemutlu, E. and Akkol, E.K. and Süntar, I. and Keleş, H. and Ina, H. and Çalış, I. and Ersöz, T (2013) 'Comparative assessment of dermal wound healing potentials of various Trifolium L. extracts and determination of their isoflavone contents as potential active ingredients', J Ethnopharmacol, 148(2), pp. 423-32. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.04.031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.04.031 - Ahmed, I.A.M. and Matthäus, B. and Özcan, M.M. and Juhaimi, F.A. and Ghafoor, K. and Babiker, E.E. and Osman, M.A. and Alqah, H.A.S (2020) 'Determination of Bioactive Lipid and Antioxidant Activity of Onobrychis, Pimpinella, Trifolium, and Phleum spp. Seed and Oils', J Oleo Sci, 69(11), pp. 1367-1371. doi:10.5650/jos.ess20153 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess20153 - Harlow, B.E. and Flythe, M.D. and Goodman, J.P. and Ji, H. and Aiken, G.E (2022) 'Isoflavone Containing Legumes Mitigate Ergot Alkaloid-Induced Vasoconstriction in Goats (Capra hircus)', Animals (Basel), 12(6). doi:10.3390/ani12060750 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060750 - Shang, H. and Li, R. and Wu, H. and Sun, Z (2019) 'Polysaccharides from Trifolium repens L. extracted by different methods and extraction condition optimization', Sci Rep, 9(1), pp. 6353. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-42877-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42877-5 - Prati, S. and Baravelli, V. and Fabbri, D. and Schwarzinger, C. and Brandolini, V. and Maietti, A. and Tedeschi, P. and Benvenuti, S. and Macchia, M. and Marotti, I. and Bonetti, A. and Catizone, P. and Dinelli, G (2007) 'Composition and content of seed flavonoids in forage and grain legume crops', J Sep Sci, 30(4), pp. 491-501. doi:10.1002/jssc.200600383 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.200600383 - Woolsey, I.D. and Zeller, W.E. and Blomstrand, B.M. and Øines, Ø. and Enemark, H.L (2022) 'Effects of selected condensed tannins on Cryptosporidium parvum growth and proliferation in HCT-8 cell cultures', Exp Parasitol, 241, pp. 108353. doi:10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108353 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2022.108353 - Hou, K. and Xue, Q. and Shi, L. and Liu, S. and Zhong, X. and Liu, Y. and Wang, C (2026) 'Identification of Trifolium repens as a New Source of Glycyrrhetinic Acid: Pathway Elucidation and Heterologous Reconstruction in Yeast', J Agric Food Chem, 74(19), pp. 15182-15194. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.6c02001 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6c02001 - Tundis, R. and Marrelli, M. and Conforti, F. and Tenuta, M.C. and Bonesi, M. and Menichini, F. and Loizzo, M.R (2015) 'Trifolium pratense and T. repens (Leguminosae): Edible Flower Extracts as Functional Ingredients', Foods, 4(3), pp. 338-348. doi:10.3390/foods4030338 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods4030338 - Başar, Y. and Yıldız, İ. and HOSAFLIOĞLU, İ. and Azeroual, A. and Erenler, R (2026) 'The Phytochemical Content and DPPH Activity of Trifolium repens L. Methanol Extract, and In Silico Studies', Adıyaman üniversitesi fen bilimleri dergisi, 16(1), pp. 61-76. doi:10.37094/adyujsci.1813336 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.37094/adyujsci.1813336 - Ayoubi, S.A. and Abdelwahab, I. and Ela, M.A. and Lakany, A.E. and Raafat, K (2026) 'Advanced Hybrid-Green Ultrasound–Infrared–Microwave Trifolium repens Essential oil Isolation with Multi-Target Ethnomedicine Bioactivity against Neuropathy, Inflammation and Multidrug-Resistant Infection', Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, 34(2). doi:10.38212/2224-6614.3595 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.3595 - Ahmad, S. and Zeb, A. and Ayaz, M. and Murkovic, M (2019) 'Characterization of phenolic compounds using UPLC–HRMS and HPLC–DAD and anti-cholinesterase and anti-oxidant activities of Trifolium repens L. leaves', European Food Research and Technology, 246(3), pp. 485-496. doi:10.1007/s00217-019-03416-8 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-019-03416-8 - Petrović, M. and Stanković, M. and Anđelković, B. and Babić, S. and Zornić, V. and Vasiljević, S. and Stevanović, Z.D (2016) 'Quality Parameters and Antioxidant Activity of Three Clover Species in Relation to the Livestock Diet', Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 44(1), pp. 201-208. doi:10.15835/nbha44110144 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha44110144 - Jakubczyk, K. and Łukomska, A. and Gutowska, I. and Kochman, J. and Janił, J. and Janda, K (2021) 'Edible Flowers Extracts as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant Properties—In Vitro Studies', Applied Sciences, 11(5), pp. 2120-2120. doi:10.3390/app11052120 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/app11052120 - Ngangom, L. and Venugopal, D. and Pandey, N. and Kumar, N (2022) 'In-silico screening and identification of potential bioactive compounds of Trifolium repens against pathogenic bacterial target proteins', Materials Today Proceedings, 73, pp. 142-150. doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.501 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.09.501 - Amer, B. and Juul, L. and Møller, A.H. and Møller, H.S. and Dalsgaard, T.K (2020) 'Improved solubility of proteins from white and red clover – inhibition of redox enzymes', International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 56(1), pp. 302-311. doi:10.1111/ijfs.14632 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.14632 - Pap, N. and Granato, D. and Järvenpää, E. and Tienaho, J. and Marnila, P. and Hellström, J. and Pihlava, J. and Franco, M. and Stefański, T. and Rinne, M (2024) 'Biorefining of legume and grass biomasses: Technological properties and bioactivities of the green juice', Future Foods, 9, pp. 100331-100331. doi:10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100331 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100331 - Ahn, C. and Lee, J. and Park, M.J. and Kim, J. and Yang, J. and Yoo, Y. and Jeung, E (2020) 'Cytostatic effects of plant essential oils on human skin and lung cells', Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 19(3), pp. 2008-2018. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8460 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.8460 - Bhattacharya, S. et al (2013) 'Review of the botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)', 7(7), pp. 583--588. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Review%20of%20the%20botanical%2C%20phytochemical%2C%20pharmacological%20and%20toxicological%20properties%20of%20white%20clover%20%28Trifolium%20repens%20L.%29 - Plants For A Future 'Trifolium repens (White Clover)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Trifolium+repens Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Trifolium+repens - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Klaiber, I. et al (2002) 'Health benefits of isoflavones from clover species', 16(1), pp. 1--8. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Health%20benefits%20of%20isoflavones%20from%20clover%20species - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Selected studies & references
ReviewInvestigation of Trifolium repens L. from the Indian Himalayan region as a phyto-therapeutic agent source↗ (2024)
ReviewTrifolium species-derived substances and extracts--biological activity and prospects for medicinal applications source↗ (2012)
PreclinicalAdvanced Hybrid-Green Ultrasound–Infrared–Microwave Trifolium repens Essential oil Isolation with Multi-Target Ethnomedicine Bioactivity against Neuropathy, Inflammation and Multidrug-Resistant Infection source↗ (2026)
PreclinicalIdentification of Trifolium repens as a New Source of Glycyrrhetinic Acid: Pathway Elucidation and Heterologous Reconstruction in Yeast source↗ (2026)
PreclinicalThe Phytochemical Content and DPPH Activity of Trifolium repens L. Methanol Extract, and In Silico Studies source↗ (2026)
PreclinicalEffect of hydrolysed Trifolium repens L. extract on menopause-induced obesity and depressive symptoms: an in vitro and in vivo approach source↗ (2025)
All 33 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.