Red Clover: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a wild plant that belongs to the legume family. It is a little, short-lived, perennial, herbaceous plant that blooms throughout Europe, western Asia, and some regions of Africa.

• The flowers of this plant are small and pinkish purple. Because of their quick development and excellent nutritional content, these plants are used as animal feed.
• Red clover is typically consumed as a tea, and since its medicinal properties were discovered, it has gained a lot of popularity.
• Red clover is thought to “purify” the blood by functioning as a diuretic (helping the body get rid of excess fluid), expectorant (helping clear the mucus from lungs), boosting circulation, and cleansing the liver. There is, however, a lack of sufficient human studies to support these proposed health benefits.

Red clover has several health benefits because it contains isoflavones and other essential nutrients, such as calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.

1. Help reduce menopausal symptoms: Red clover has profound effects, especially on women, because it contains isoflavones that resemble estrogen.
   • Red clover can benefit women who struggle to maintain estrogen levels by balancing their hormonal changes, preventing mood swings, and reducing breast pain.
   • This is true for both menopausal and premenstrual syndrome-affected women because both conditions can result in significant changes in hormone levels.
2. Osteoporosis: A woman is more likely to develop osteoporosis (severe bone loss) because their estrogen levels decline during menopause.
   • A few studies report that a red clover isoflavone extract may prevent bone thinning and even increase bone mineral density in pre and perimenopausal women.
   • In double-blind research, red clover isoflavones supplementation for a year reduced bone loss from the spine by 45 percent compared to a placebo.
   • Daily dosages of the supplement included 26 mg of biochanin A, 16 mg of formononetin, 1 mg of genistein, and 0.5 mg of daidzein.
3. Cancer: Researchers have started to investigate the function of red clover isoflavones in cancer prevention and treatment.
   • According to preliminary research, these isoflavones may destroy cancer cells in test tubes or prevent their growth.
   • Red clover may help prevent some cancers, including prostate and endometrial cancer.
   • However, due to the herb's estrogen-like properties, it may aid in the development of some malignancies, just as estrogen does.
   • Doctors cannot advise red clover as a cancer preventative measure until more research is done. Red clover should not be taken by women with a history of breast cancer.
4. Boosts immune system and prevents infections: By consuming leaves of red clover, you are more likely to acquire a large amount of vitamin C.
   • Vitamin C boosts your immune system and can help produce more white blood cells.
   • The leaves can provide a good number of antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals, which are responsible for cell mutation and degenerative illnesses.
   • Red clover's overall immune-boosting effects include the ability to fend off bacterial and viral illnesses.
5. Cardiovascular health: According to research, red clover may help prevent heart disease, but there is not enough concrete proof from human trials to support this theory.
   • In pre and postmenopausal women, red clover isoflavones have been linked to an increase in high-density lipoprotein (“good”) cholesterol. However, other studies have shown contradictory findings.
   • According to one study, menopausal women who took red clover supplements had stronger, more flexible arteries (referred to as arterial compliance), which can help prevent heart disease according to one study.
   • Additionally, red clover may have blood-thinning qualities that prevent blood clots from developing. It seems to enhance blood circulation.
6. Lowers blood pressure: Red clover has special benefits that include lowering inflammation across the body, especially in the cardiovascular system. According to numerous studies, red clover tea can greatly decrease the tension in the arteries and blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure. This may lessen the risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease.
7. Maintain your skin: Red clover contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It was utilized by Native Americans to treat external skin infections.
   • Athlete’s foot, burns, wounds, and ulcers can be cured by this herb.
   • The skin is directly affected by estrogen. It boosts collagen levels and enhances the skin's ability to retain moisture. Skin with higher collagen levels appears supple and youthful.
   • Because of the imbalance in estrogen levels caused by menopause, the skin may appear dry, wrinkled, and dull. In these conditions, red clover phytoestrogens help repair and regenerate your skin cells.

Red clover in dosages that offer up to 80 mg of isoflavones per day for up to two years is safe and does not cause adverse effects.

• Although most people tolerate it well, in some people, it can occasionally result in muscle aches, nausea, and vaginal bleeding (spotting).
• Women should not take red clover supplements during pregnancy or while nursing.
• Women or children who have breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers should be careful with the dosage.