Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a herb that belongs to the legume family, which also includes peas and beans.
In herbal medicine, red clover is typically used to treat respiratory problems (such as asthma, whooping cough, and bronchitis), skin disorders (such as eczema and psoriasis), inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and women’s health problems (such as menopause and menstrual symptoms).
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in food and beverages, red clover is used as a flavoring ingredient.
The brightly colored flowers of red clover contain many nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin, and vitamin C.
They are also a rich source of isoflavones. These are compounds that act as phytoestrogens, plant chemicals similar to the female hormone estrogen.
Isoflavone extracts are promoted as dietary supplements for high cholesterol and osteoporosis, as well as menopausal symptoms.
Red Clover Health Benefits
In alternative medicine, red clover is said to help with the following conditions. However, keep in mind that research has not shown the herb to be conclusively effective for these or any other health problems.
symptoms of menopause
Several small studies have been done to see if red clover can help relieve menopausal discomfort, especially hot flashes.
Although you may hear some anecdotal support for this, there has been no conclusive evidence to back it up.
Bones
Whether isoflavones reduce bone mineral density loss in postmenopausal women is being investigated. Red clover is a source of supplements used in some studies.
A 2016 review concluded that there may be some beneficial effects on bone health, while a 2017 review found that different red clover formulations may or may not be effective.
Cancer
Early research suggests that red clover may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
In a 2009 study of prostate cancer cells, scientists found that red clover treatment led to a decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein found at elevated levels in men with prostate cancer.
heart disease
Some clinical trials have looked at the effects of red clover on the development of heart disease risk factors in postmenopausal women, without strong evidence that it helps, reports the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Keep in mind that due to a lack of long-term studies, it’s too soon to recommend red clover for any condition.
It is also important to note that self-treatment of a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.
Selection and preparation
Red clover is available in a variety of preparations, including teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules, liquid extract, and extracts standardized for specific isoflavone content.
However, it is not always clear that a product contains the promised isoflavone content.
One study found large differences between red clover products in this regard, differences that may significantly affect the absorption rates, permeability, and metabolism of various isoflavones within these products.
Red clover is sometimes the only ingredient in products, but it is also often available mixed with other herbs.
When using commercial products, carefully follow package directions.
Brew red clover tea
You can also make tea from the dried flower heads. Some advocates claim that to get the full benefit of red clover you need to use the whole flower, and not the commercial red clover isoflavones, which many studies use.
To make a tea, use one to three teaspoons of dried red clover flowers for every cup of boiling (not boiling) water. Let stand for 15 minutes.
Drink up to three cups of tea a day.
Possible Side Effects
Women who are pregnant or nursing, along with anyone with hormone-sensitive cancers, which can be accelerated by phytoestrogens, should avoid red clover.
Interactions
Red clover has anticoagulant properties and may increase the effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs.
Avoid taking it with blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin) and stop taking it at least two weeks before surgery.
The herb may also interact with birth control pills due to the hormone-like actions of its isoflavones.
Red clover causes toxic effects when taken with methotrexate, a medication used to treat certain types of cancer and to control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis.
If you are considering using red clover, consult your doctor first to avoid problematic drug-herb interactions.
The self-treatment should not exceed three to six months without the supervision of a health professional.