Shamrock Goodness

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Last year, I wrote about the history of beer to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Today, I decided to explore the history of the shamrock which is a symbol of symbol of Ireland and represents good luck. The word shamrock comes from the Gaelic word seamróg, meaning “little clover.” It generally represents a plant in the trifolium family, which is characterized by three leaves.

The three-leafed shamrock holds special meaning to the Irish for many reasons, but most importantly because it was used by St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, to explain the Christian Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit to peasants in the 5th century. The four-leaf clover is a genetic mutation and considered lucky because it is very rare (1 in 10,000)—the fourth leaf is said to represent God's grace, thereby bringing luck.

Besides its religious significance, the clover leaf was also well known for its medicinal properties in ancient times. The clover leaf is known to be full of proteins and can be made into a tea. While the shamrock is thought to represent the white clover, its close cousin, the red clover has even stronger medicinal properties. Clover leaves are a great source of the antioxidant, isoflavon, which helps prevent aging and reduces cholesterol. It can also be used a blood thinner to prevent heart attacks and stroke, and reduce arthritic pain. Tea made from clover blossoms was used widely in Native America as medicine to treat fevers and cough and colds.

So may the luck of the Irish be with you today and always, and the Irish blessing:

"For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way:
Good health, Good luck, and Happiness, for today and every day.”

Sources:

https://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/not-just-for-the-irish-shamrock-has-medicinal-uses/

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