Red clover: Preparation, Dosing and Timing in TCM

Red clover comes in more forms than most people expect: raw, dried, powdered, extracted, steeped, simmered. Which one you pick changes what it does.

The classic preparation

As tea, 1 to 2 teaspoons of blossom.

Timing and rhythm

Cool in nature, so the usual rhythm is steady daily use with occasional pauses. Warm preparations land better in the morning; cooling ones can go later in the day.

What to buy

Buy from a source with turnover. Herbs fade with light, air and time, and a pharmacy that sells a lot of Red clover will have the freshest stock. Smell matters: the aroma should be clean and distinct, not dusty.

None of this replaces a practitioner who can look at your tongue, feel your pulse and ask awkward questions. Use this as background, not as a prescription.