Red clover is a member of the legume family and contains phytoestrogens that act very similar to the estrogen hormones found in women. Red clover has been used traditionally to treat a number of problems ranging from asthma to cancer. One of its most popular present-day uses is as a treatment for the symptoms of menopause. While not all uses of red clover have been corroborated by medical science, the possibility remains that it can be effective in several ways.
Menopause Treatment
According to the National Center for Contemporary and Alternative Medicine, red clover is widely used to treat menopausal symptoms in women. These symptoms can include breast pain, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and symptoms of prostate enlargement. The University of Maryland Medical Center also reports its use in treating vaginal dryness, mood swings and hot flashes resulting from menopause.
Improved Liver and Prostate Function
According to NaturalNews.com, research published in the February 2008 issue of Urology reveals red clover's effective use in the improvement of liver and prostate health and function. This study was intended to determine how red clover might improve the liver, prostate, quality of life and sexual function in men. The study concluded that up to 60 mg of isoflavone extracted from the red clover herb can cause a significant improvement in the health of your liver and prostate when taken daily over a three-month period, although no effects on sexual health or function were discovered.
Improved Blood Flow
Red clover has demonstrated in some studies to improve the flow of blood through your arteries and veins. However, research on this topic is limited, so no guarantee can be made about this benefit.
Diabetes Treatment
The benefits of red clover in treating high blood pressure and narrowed arteries and veins in people with type 2 diabetes is debated among various medical studies, with some showing a tangible improvement in the condition of diabetics who take red clover for four weeks while others fail to yield any noticeable difference. More research is needed for any determination to be conclusive, but the possibility of red clover's benefit for these purposes remains.
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