Red clover has a long history as a medicinal herb, and it has been used for a variety of conditions, including as a blood and lymph fluid cleanser. Red clover contains numerous bioactive compounds, some of which display antioxidant, blood thinning and hormonal properties. The medical community doesn’t view organ, blood or lymph cleanses as valid or necessary for health, so human studies are rarely conducted on herbal remedies for these purposes. Consult with your primary care physician about the appropriateness and safety of supplementing with red clover.
Lymph
Lymph is a watery, slightly yellowish liquid found in lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes throughout your body. Lymph fluid is a collection of plasma and protein that is lost from your bloodstream in small capillaries, as well as various nutrients, hormones, waste products, cellular debris and lymphocytes. Your lymphatic system acts as a drainage system for your body and is an important part of your immune system, according to the “Textbook for Functional Medicine.” Each small lymph node acts as a filter, helping to destroy microorganisms and collect toxins and debris. Further, lymph absorbs fatty acids from your intestines and transports them to the blood for distribution. In general, your lymph vessels run alongside your blood vessels, although lymph fluid circulates due to the contraction of your skeletal muscles, not your heart. As such, movement is important for lymphatic flow.
Red Clover
Red clover, or Trifolium pratense, is short-lived perennial plant indigenous to Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa, although it is widely grown in many other regions. The plant produces dark pink or red flowers that are used as herbal remedies. Traditionally, red clover has been used for skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and rashes, as well as for symptoms of menopause and to help clean the blood and lymph, according to “Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine” by David Hoffman. Red clover contains isoflavones like the ones found in soybeans, which can mimic the effects of estrogen. Red clover is also rich in flavonoids, which display strong antioxidant properties, and natural blood thinning compounds called coumarins. It also contains small amounts of vitamin C.
Blood and Lymph Cleansing
Herbalists claim that lymph and blood can accumulate toxins and waste products, which can lead to a variety of symptoms and diseases, including cancer. Reduced immune function, chronic infections, a toxic diet and lack of exercise can all lead to unhealthy lymph and blood. Presumably, the antioxidant effects of red clover help to metabolize toxins and retard the proliferation of microorganisms, although no human research exists to prove this. Red clover is taken in capsules or as an herbal tea. Other herbs often combined with red clover to cleanse the lymph and blood include red root, Echinacea, burdock root, yellow dock and milk thistle, according to the book “Chinese Herbal Medicine.”
Cautions
Due to its estrogen mimicking activity, red clover is usually contraindicated in women with a history of breast cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, fibroids or other estrogen-sensitive conditions, although it is not known to interfere with hormone replacement drugs. Further, red clover promotes blood thinning because it reduces platelet cell aggregation, so exercise caution if you are on anticoagulation therapy. Consult with your doctor about potential interactions of red clover with your medications before you begin a supplement regimen.
References
- “Textbook for Functional Medicine”; David S. Jones; 2005
- “Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine”; David Hoffman; 2003
- “Chinese Herbal Medicine”; Dan Bensky et al.; 2004
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