Red clover, often found in meadows, fields, and on roadsides and lawn edges, is an herb that has antispasmodic, antitumor, diuretic, expectorant and stimulant properties. What was once used to graze farm animals is now used medicinally to treat respiratory issues, cancer, skin inflammations, liver problems, circulation issues and menopausal symptoms.
Identification
Red clover, or Trifolium pratense, is a wild, perennial herb that was native to Asia and most of Europe. Now red clover can be found in backyards. This plentiful herb contains lots of nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, thiamine, zinc, vitamin A and C. It also contains a large amount of isoflavones, which are estrogen-like compounds. Red clover can be found in many dietary supplement forms including tinctures, tablets, capsules, extracts, creams, ointments and tea.
Menopause and Hot Flashes
Red clover, due to its isoflavone content, may help reduce menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, more research is necessary because the current studies have not shown this to be conclusive. However, red clover can help other menopausal symptoms such as menopause-induced high cholesterol, increased triglycerides, and psychological issues associated with menopause including anxiety and depression. In fact, in a study published in the December 2009 issue of "The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research," clinicians found that participants who used isoflavones derived from red clover showed significant improvements in their lipid levels. Both total and LDL cholesterol decreased as well as their triglycerides. In another study published in "Maturitas" in March of 2010, researchers proved that red clover extract improved the anxiety and depression symptoms that postmenopausal women face. During this study, participants saw a 76 percent reduction in their anxiety symptoms and over a 78 percent decrease in their depression symptoms.
Other Uses
Aside from being beneficial for the treatment of hormonal issues, red clover is effective for treating respiratory problems including whooping cough, bronchitis, the common cold and the flu due to its ability to help the body release excess fluid and clear the lungs of overflowing mucus. Red clover can cleanse the liver with its diuretic properties and assist healing of skin inflammations including eczema, psoriasis, fever sores, cuts and burns. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, red clover can also have positive effects with cancer patients, possibly preventing new tumors from forming.
Side Effects
Red clover appears to have no serious side effects on humans. Mild symptoms may occur if you are allergic to it. They include nausea, headache and rash. If you are taking any type of medication especially anticoagulants, you should consult a physician before consuming red clover because it could increase the effects of the drug. Red clover has caused side effects in cattle. It appears that animals who consume large quantities of red clover experience dermatitis, frothing of the mouth, and diarrhea. They also may become infertile.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Red clover
- "The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research"; Influence of red clover-derived isoflavones on serum lipid profile in postmenopausal women; M.M. Terzic, et al.; December 2009
- "Maturitas"; Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts; M. Lipovac et al; March 2010
- Medicinal Herb Info: Red Clover
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Red Clover
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