Red clover is a wild plant that is commonly used for grazing cattle, but it has many medicinal purposes, ranging from relieving menopausal symptoms,improving various cardiovascular functions, and providing protection against the development of osteoporosis.
It May Provide Relief from the Symptoms of Menopause
It contains chemicals called isoflavones that have estrogen like activity. This means it may prove beneficial for relieving the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.
However, studies are mixed in this area.
In one short study less than 12 weeks in duration, two brands of red clover were compared to placebo.
It included over 450 postmenopausal women whose ages ranged from 45 to 60 and were experiencing a minimum of 35 hot flashes weekly.
This study concluded that neither of the two brands of red clover had a significant effect on hot flashes.
On the other hand, there are some studies demonstrating that it can help to relieve symptoms of menopausal hot flashes.
In one study, 30 postmenopausal women who were experiencing more than five hot flashes weekly, who were given 80 mg of red clover daily, saw a significant decrease in the number of hot flashes they experienced.
It Can Also Provide Relief From the Symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome refers to the symptoms that occur between a woman's ovulation and the start of her menstrual cycle.
This condition may include a number of symptoms including tenderness in the breasts, back pain, headaces, and abdominal cramping.
It is estimated that around 75% of all menstruating women experience some type of premenstrual symptoms.
The above-mentioned isoflavones in this herb may help minimize the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.
This is because isoflavones function to alter hormonal levels in menstruating women.
Preliminary research indicates that red clover may help to relieve tenderness in the breasts and pain that is also associated with PMS.
It Contains Chemicals That May Provide Protection from Osteoporosis
Red Clover also helps to maintain bone density, while providing protection from osteoporosis.
This would explain why people in China and Japan have low levels of osteoporosis, as they consume large amounts of soy products, which contain large amounts of isoflavones.
This is in contrast to the diets of individuals in Europe and North America, who do not receive this protection from osteoporosis that is provided by soy products.
This is because soy products are not consumed as often in these countries as they are in the Orient.
There are some studies indicating that isoflavones may assist with the creation of new bone tissue, although research is mixed in this area.
This is in opposition to estrogen, which functions to preserve existing bone tissue and not to create new tissue.
Some Studies Indicate That It May Provide Protection from Diabetic Complications
It has also shown promise in preventing diabetic complications such as hypertension, or high blood pressure, and a number of cardiovascular problems.
In one small randomized controlled trial of women with type 2 diabetes that were given red clover (about 50 mg a day) for four weeks, the result was an improvement in blood pressure and arterial and venous function in these women.
However, in another study following 12 premenopausal women for three monthly cycles, they found no change in their blood lipid profiles, blood sugar or insulin levels.
Be advised that if you have diabetes, you should consult with your physician before taking his herb.
It Can Provide Protection against Cardiovascular Disease Including Lowering High Cholesterol Levels
Although the research is limited, some studies have found that this herb helps to improve arterial blood flow, making it a suitable supplement for any cardiovascular symptoms in menopausal women.
In one double blind study, it was found that taking this herb caused improved cardiovascular function.
It works its magic by increasing levels of the good, or HDL, cholesterol, and helps to prevent blood clots from forming by thinning the blood.
However, conversely there have been other studies indicating it to be an ineffective treatment for heart problems.
Other Uses
Here are a few other uses for red clover:
A cough expectorant
It may help prevent cancer
It may help minimize excess water weight gain
As it helps to flush out excess uric acid, it may provide relief from gout.
Dosage
The dosage for this herb may vary ranging from 40 mg to 60 mg per day.
A tea may be made from it by soaking 1-2 flowers from this herb and one cup of boiling water for 10 to15 minutes. It can be taken three times a day.
It also comes in capsule form (40-160 mg daily) or tincture form (60-100 drops of tincture three times daily.
There is also a possible risk that the isoflavones in this herb may cause cancer.
Therefore, it should not be taken by people with a history of cancer, especially estrogen sensitive cancers.
In conclusion, red clover has seen a long history of use for a number of conditions, particularly numerous female complaints due to its high isoflavone content.
But, based on the research, there is a lack of substantial evidence that it can be beneficial for most conditions.
There may be some safety issues associated with taking this herb, so it would be wise to talk to your doctor before taking it.
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Red clover is a wild plant that is commonly used for grazing cattle, but it has many medicinal purposes, ranging from relieving menopausal symptoms, improving various cardiovascular functions, and providing protection against the development of osteoporosis.
