Herbal Red Clover & Stress

Herbalists have used red clover as a folk medicine for centuries, and it has been primarily used as a remedy for the symptoms of coughs. In recent years, scientists discovered that red clover is rich in phytoestrogens, which are natural plant hormones that herbalists believe may help ease symptoms such as anxiety and night sweats in menopausal women. Medical research on red clover's effectiveness for easing symptoms of stress in menopausal women is underway. Always check with your health care professional before self-treating with red clover.

History

The 16th century herbalist John Gerard recorded the red clover as a meadow trefoil, because of its familiar three-leaved configuration. In 1597, he noted that the red-headed plant stood upright during the advance of even the worst of storms and tempests. This characteristic may have contributed to red clover's reputation as a remedy for anxiety, which is a symptom of stress, according to professional medical herbalist Penelope Ody in her book, "The Complete Medicinal Herbal."

Properties

Gail Faith Edwards of Blessed Maine Herb Farm writes on her website that red clover raises dopamine levels and contributes to relaxation and positive feelings. According to medical herbalist Penelope Ody, red clover is an anti-spasmodic herb that reduces tension and muscle spasms. Ody writes that red clover contains flavonoids, salicylates and mineral acids, which help soothe the symptoms of stress, such as tension headaches.

Applications For Stress

Some herbalists recommend a tea or tincture of red clover to relieve anxiety and stress, to bring down cholesterol levels and increase the amount of dopamine in your system. Stress is linked to the development of psoriasis, a skin condition that leaves the skin flaky with itchy red splotches.

Fresh red clover flowers may be simmered for 48 hours, strained, aired until semi-dry, then mixed with ointment and fragrance for a cooling, relaxing skin cream application. For stress-related skin eruptions, you can apply a linen or cotton compress that's been dipped into a decoction of dried red clover flowers and leaves.

Features and Benefits

Red clover is a prolific and hardy plant that grows in many climates and will tolerate poor soil conditions. Because it is easy to grow, it is popular with herbalists. Red clover, when ingested as a tea, provides the body with easy access to calcium and magnesium, which some herbalists believe relax the nervous system. The salicylic content of red clover may help relieve headaches that are associated with stress. The coumarins in red clover may help cleanse the blood of toxins that contribute to anxiety and stress.

Other Considerations

Red clover contains phytoestrogens, which are compounds that appear to be similar to estrogen, a female hormone. Since some symptoms of schizophrenia mimic the symptoms of a person under extreme stress, and additional estrogen appears to bring relief from those symptoms, medical studies are under way to establish whether the phytoestrogens in red clover also will help alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia.