Red clover is also called by the names cleaver grass, cow grass, marl grass, purple clover, trefoil and the Sanskrit name Vana-methika. It grows wild in lawns and fields all over Europe and North America and has been used for many centuries as a medicinal herb, according to "Medicinal Herb Info." Before you begin to take red clover supplements for your hot flashes, consult your health care provider.
Hot Flashes Explained
The Mayo Clinic reports that the hormonal changes that come with menopause, or the cessation of menstruation, are the cause of hot flashes and night sweats. The body's natural decline in these hormones is a normal process, not a form of illness. But the effects are not pleasant and many women would love to find a natural way to alleviate these symptoms. Red clover is one of the herbal supplements that is often turned to for relief of the hot flashes and night sweats of menopause.
Red Clover Uses
Besides its most common use as a relief for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, red clover is also commonly used to treat cancer, psoriasis, eczema and other skin conditions, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC. The National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine or NCCAM adds that red clover is also commonly used to lower cholesterol and as a treatment for prostate enlargement.
Research Underway
The NCCAM is currently funding research on the effects of red clover in reducing hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. These studies hope to find out more about red clover's effectiveness and safety.
Research Showing No Benefit
There are also several other recent studies that have been described on PubMed.gov and deal with red clover for treating these menopause symptoms. The results are not as promising as hoped. One study was conducted at University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The results were published in the November/December issue of "Menopause." After comparing red clover and black cohosh to placebo, neither herb was more successful in reducing hot flashes or nights sweats than the placebo. Another study that took place at Royal Worcestershire Hospital in Worcester, UK had similar findings. The results of this study were published in the November 2007 edition of "Archives of Gynecology & Obstetrics." The study concluded that red clover and a number of other herbal supplements were not effective in treating menopause symptoms.
Research Showing Mild Benefit
A third study took place at Thomas Jefferson University College of Pharmacy in Philadelphia. When the results of this study were published in the April 2008 issue of "Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy," it recommended that herbal supplements such as red clover only be used for treating mild symptoms of menopause and only for duration of up to six months. The herbs tested didn't seem at all effective for moderate to severe symptoms.
Possible Side Effects
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center explains that, when taken for periods of six months or less to treat hot flashes, red clover is considered to be safe. However, a few people have reported headache, rash or nausea when taking it. Pregnant or breast-feeding women are warned not to take red clover supplements.
Potential Interactions
Women who are already taking hormone replacement therapy to treat their menopause symptoms or who use birth control pills are advised to avoid taking red clover, says the UMMC. The UMMC also advises against taking red clover with blood thinners or the drug Tamoxifen, due to potentially harmful interactions.
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