Health Benefits of Red Clover

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), a perennial herb in the Leguminosae family, is native to Europe but grows widely in temperate regions across the United States. Its common names include Cow Clover, Meadow Clover, Wild Clover, Trefoil and Bee Bread.

Properties and Therapeutic Uses of Red Clover

Red clover contains high concentrations of isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens that can mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. It can be used for symptoms of PMS, and the phytoestrogen activity may help to alleviate menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. It decreases the rate of bone loss in pre-menopausal women, delaying the onset of osteoporosis, and has also been shown to slow the progression of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), enlargement of the prostate gland that is a common condition in older men.

Some studies indicate that red clover may impede the activity of enzymes that promote the growth of endometrial and prostate cancer. Genistein, one of the phytoestrogens found in red clover, inhibits blood vessel formation by tumors and has been linked to a decrease in hormone-dependent cancers, but the anticancer properties of red clover have not been clinically proven.

Benefits to the heart and circulatory system include lowering total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, "bad" cholesterol) levels, all of which play a role in heart disease, while simultaneously raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL, "good" cholesterol) levels. Red clover may also boost the secretion of bile acid, which contains cholesterol. An increase in the amount of bile acid can lead to a decrease in blood cholesterol levels by taking the cholesterol out of circulation.

Blood-thinning compounds called coumarins that are found in red clover may aid in preventing blood clots and reducing arterial plaques that can block the flow of blood through arteries and cause a heart attack or stroke. Red clover may also help to strengthen the arteries.

In addition to its internal uses, red clover can be applied topically to relieve skin conditions including psoriasis, insect bites and wounds. It may also protect the skin from sun damage.

The medicinal properties of red clover are found in the blossoms. A typical dose is a tea made of 1-3 teaspoons of dried or 1-3 tablespoons of fresh red clover flowers in a cup of boiling water, taken three times a day. Red clover can also be taken as a tincture, extract or in capsules.

Contraindications and Cautions

Red clover should be avoided during pregnancy and nursing, and by women who have uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or breast, uterine or ovarian cancer, due to its phytoestrogen activity. It should also be avoided by men who have prostate cancer and individuals who are taking blood-thinning drugs.

This information is for educational purposes only. If you have a serious health concern, see your health care provider.

Sources:
Duke, James A. The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook. St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2000.
www.drugdigest.org