Many varieties of herbal teas are available at grocery and natural foods stores, which can make it hard to choose the tea that gives you the benefits you want. If you're considering drinking red clover tea, you may also find it sold under the names red clover, cow clover, meadow clover or wild clover.
Identification
Red clover works as an alternative agent--instead of dramatically improving your health, red clover makes slow, beneficial changes over time, according to the University of Michigan Health System Healthwise Knowledgebase. Historically, medical texts described red clover as a blood purifier because of its diuretic and expectorant effects, which help push excess fluids out of the body, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Function
Researchers haven't pinpointed the exact component that gives red clover its beneficial power, but they have confirmed that red clover contains several different active compounds, including isoflavones--plant-based chemicals that mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, red clover also contains calcium, chromium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, niacin, vitamin C and thiamine.
Benefits
Red clover tea may be beneficial for several different conditions, but more research is needed to confirm its benefits. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the isoflavones in red clover tea may help treat menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Researchers think red clover tea may also be beneficial for heart health and protection against some forms of cancer.
Considerations
If you have breast cancer or uterine cancer, a family history of breast cancer or uterine cancer or are at increased risk for breast cancer, the isoflavones in red clover may increase your risk for developing cancerous cells, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Because of limited research, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid drinking red clover tea.
Types
You can make traditional tea by pouring boiling water over 1 to 2 tsp. of fresh or dried red clover flowers and allowing the resulting tea to steep for half an hour, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Plan to make two to three cups a day to get benefits. You can also add 3 to 5 milliliters (mL) of red clover tincture or 1 mL of red clover fluid extract to hot water three times a day to make your own tea.
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