Latin Name: Trifolium pratense
Family: Fabaceae
Part used: Fresh or dried blossoms & leaves.
Energetics: Sweet, bland, neutral with cooling potential, moist.
Iris: All types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.
Safe alongside Herb
Oestradiol, estradiol
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
- Patients with hormone-sensitive cancers -oestrogenic activity.
- Avoid 2 weeks prior to surgery.
ACTIONS
- Hormonal balancer
- Oestrogenic
- Lymphatic
- Alterative
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-neoplastic
- Prostatic tonic
- Dermatological agent
- Detoxifier
- Expectorant
-
Antispasmodic
- Sedative
-
Nutritive
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-viral
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-coagulant
Main Constituents
- Volatile oil - furfural
- Phenolic glycosides
- Flavone glycoside (anticarcinogenic)
- Coumarins
- Salicylic acid
- Polysaccharide
- Flavonoids (genistein, kaempferol, pratensein)
- Isoflavones similar to oestrogen
- Resins
- Saponins- soya sapogenols
- Sterols
- Vitamins: A, B
- Minerals: Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, K, Zn.
Main Uses
Stimulates lymphatic glands and Supports oestrogen / progesterone balance
Integumentary System: Carcinomas of the throat/ skin, Eczema, Psoriasis
Endocrine: Increases FSH, flavone glycosides are oestrogenic, Supports oestrogen and progesterone balance, Menopausal flushes, night sweats and menopausal insomnia, Mastalgia, Increases bone density during menopause, Irregular and painful periods.
Lymphatic system: breast swelling and tenderness and breast lumps and cysts
Respiratory System: Spasmodic coughs, Bronchitis
Reproductive System: Carcinomas of breast/ ovary, Prostate carcinoma
Infections:
Bacteria: Bacillus, Staphylococcus
Viruses: Paramyxovirus
More About Red Clover
Red Clover is a mild, yet deep-acting remedy that is useful in conditions found in children and the elderly. It is a detoxifier, nutritious and a relaxant. This herb has been used historically for skin conditions, fever, colds, and lung issues especially in children.
The use of red clover as an herbal remedy goes back centuries, and the plant has a history of both topical and internal applications. As a topical aid, Red clover is often an ingredient in liniments and balms, for relieving the pain of both eczema and psoriasis, for sores, burns, and as an aid against skin cancer.
It is anti-inflammatory, due to the compounds eugenol, myricetin and salicylic acid in the flowers. Red clover has long been used as a “blood purifier,” specifically for the potential treatment of cancer. It deeply cleanses the breast and ovarian lymphatics. The flower is a mainstay ingredient in Essiac Tea, along with Turkey rhubarb, Burdock, Sheep sorrel and Slippery Elm.
It combines well with Nettle in the case of hay fever, allergic rhinitis and itching eyes, and with Burdock, Yellow dock and Oregon grape root for deep infections.
The glycosides increase FSH and are oestrogenic, which may help in cases of hot flushes, insomnia and anxiety, relating to menopause.
Red clover is traditionally used in herbal medicine to support the lymphatic system, nervous system, and help the body cope with stress.
It contains isoflavones, which are phytoestrogens that can weakly mimic oestrogen in the body and may decrease osteoporosis risk by improving bone mineral density.
It can help to reduce menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats, by stimulating adrenal cortical hormones responsible for the production of sex hormones.
Recipes:
Red Clover Tea
Ingredients:
- 2-3 teaspoons dried red clover blossoms (or 1-2 tablespoons fresh blossoms)
- 237ml of boiling water
- Optional: Honey or lemon for flavour
Instructions:
- If you're using fresh red clover blossoms, harvest them carefully, ensuring they are free from pesticides and contaminants. If you're using dried blossoms, measure out the appropriate amount.
- Heat one cup of water to boiling in a kettle or on the stove.
- Place the red clover blossoms in a teapot or heat proof mug.
- Pour the boiling water over the blossoms.
- Cover the teapot or mug with a lid or saucer to trap the steam and allow it to steep for about 10-15 minutes. This will help extract the beneficial compounds from the blossoms.
- After steeping, strain the tea to remove the blossoms, and pour it into a cup.
- If desired, add honey or lemon for flavour. Red clover tea has a mild, earthy taste that pairs well with these additions.
- Sip your red clover tea while it's still warm. You can enjoy it throughout the day, but aim for 1-2 cups daily for potential health benefits.
- Variations: Add 1 teaspoon of Nettle leaves for an Antihistamine tea which can help in cases of hayfever, food reactions and urticaria.
References
Menopause, menopausal symptoms, vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, hot flashes
Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Subjective (vaginal dryness) and objective (maturation value) symptoms of vaginal atrophy showed a significant improvement with 80-mg dose of red clover. Red clover consumption may decrease frequency of hot flashes, especially in women with severe hot flashes (≥ 5 per day). Red clover may reduce other menopausal symptoms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26471215/
Menopause, vaginal cytology, triglyceride levels
The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Compared with placebo, red clover isoflavone supplementation in postmenopausal women significantly decreased menopausal symptoms and had a positive effect on vaginal cytology and triglyceride levels.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16373244/
Hot flushes, menopause
Isoflavones from red clover (Promensil) significantly reduce menopausal hot flush symptoms compared with placebo.
In this study, treatment with 80 mg isoflavones (Promensil) per day resulted in a significant reduction in hot flushes from baseline. At the end of the study there was a significant decrease in hot flushes of 44% between the active and placebo group, demonstrating the effectiveness of Promensil in the management of hot flushes.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12161042/
Menopause, bone density, osteoporosis
The effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Loss of lumbar spine bone mineral content and bone mineral density was significantly (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively) lower in the women taking the isoflavone supplement than in those taking the placebo. These data suggest that, through attenuation of bone loss, isoflavones have a potentially protective effect on the lumbar spine in women.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14749241/
Dyslipidemia and Menopause
Isoflavones obtained from red clover improve both dyslipidemia and menopausal symptoms in menopausal women: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial
Red clover treatment for 3-6 months demonstrated significant improvements in lipid profiles and menopausal symptoms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39254422/