A while back I added Red Clover to my dispensary and shortly thereafter Red Clover was making its way into everyone’s tea blends.

I choose herbs intuitively (as a qualified herbalist with over a decade of experience choosing herbs methodically and scientifically), the red clover was asking to be included. And though red clover has a reputation for mimicking estrogen and therefore helping to relieve symptoms of menopause, it was resonating with men, younger women and children alike.

I suspect this is because red clover is highly nutritious. It has a strong, long, taproot that breaks up the soil, and absorbs the nutrients deep within. If allowed to live its natural life in the ground, once it degrades the nutrients will be returned to the ground. The taproots aerate the soil creating the conditions to nourish and nurture life.

When harvested and consumed, these nutrients are transferred to the recipient.

In this way Red Clover is a replenisher and nurturer. Red Clover’s very nature mirrors the circumstances of the menopausal women, who at that age are often nurturing children, elderly parents and even grandchildren, as well as the workplace and wider community. Menopausal women are the nucleus necessary for life.

Red clover is beautiful, it is strong, it reduces redness in your skin and most of all, it is full of nutrients, giving us what we need to thrive.

If you would like help managing symptoms of peri-menopause or menopause, naturopathy is great for that. I’m available for consults in person at South Fremantle and online. You can book an appointment here.

Libby is a herbalist, naturopath and shiatsu massage therapist based in South Fremantle.