Red Clover

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Red clover
- Purple clover
- Meadow trefoil
- Cow clover
- Wild clover

Latin Name: Trifolium pratense

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Blood purifier and alterative for cleansing the lymphatic system - European and Native American traditional medicine
• Skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, burns, and ulcers - Used both as internal medicine and topical wash
• Respiratory complaints including bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and asthma - European folk medicine
• Gentle relaxing remedy to aid restful sleep - Traditional Western herbalism

Modern Uses

• Menopausal symptom relief - Reduces hot flashes, night sweats, and related discomfort | Research quality: Mixed/Moderate
• Key findings: Standardized extracts (40-80mg isoflavones daily) show significant hot flash reduction in some studies; improved arterial compliance; increased vaginal lubrication; reduced anxiety and depression at 80mg daily for 3 months

• Source citations: Clinical trials with Promensil® and MF11RCE® extracts; Barrett's Handbook of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies

• Skin conditions - Internal and topical use for eczema, psoriasis, and acne | Research quality: Traditional/Clinical observation

• Key findings: Anti-inflammatory and blood-purifying properties support skin health; gentle enough for children; does not exacerbate existing conditions

• Source citations: Western Materia Medica; Newton's Herbs for Home Treatment; Mayhew's Guide to Herbal Remedies

• Cardiovascular support - Improves arterial compliance and may support healthy cholesterol levels | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Isoflavones have higher affinity for beta-estrogen receptors affecting heart, vasculature, bone, and bladder; improved arterial compliance in menopausal women

• Source citations: Bone's Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs; Barrett's Handbook

• Breast health - Reduces premenstrual breast tenderness | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: 40-80mg isoflavones daily reduced premenstrual breast pain by 44%; does not significantly increase breast tissue density per mammography studies

• Source citations: Clinical trials; Barrett's Handbook

• Bone health - May slow bone loss in perimenopausal women | Research quality: Preliminary/Controversial

• Key findings: Genistein component inhibits osteoclast activity; some studies show benefit, others show no significant BMD increase
• Source citations: Brewer's Encyclopedia of Vitamins; Clinical studies

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Isoflavones (biochanin A, formononetin, genistein, daidzein) - Act as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs); red clover is one of few plants containing all four major isoflavones
- Coumestans - Additional class of phytoestrogens contributing to hormonal activity
- Lignans - Plant compounds with mild estrogenic effects
- Coumarins - Contribute to mild blood-thinning properties

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Tea (dried flowers)
- Amount: 1-2 cups daily (2-4 tsp dried flowers per cup, steeped 20-30 minutes)
- Frequency: Daily

• Form: Tincture (1:2 liquid extract)
• Amount: 1.5-6.0 ml per day (10-40 ml per week)
• Frequency: 2-3 times daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Standardized extract capsules/tablets
- Amount: 40-80mg isoflavones per day
- Purpose: Menopausal symptoms, breast tenderness
- Duration: 3-6 months for hormonal effects; up to 1 year in clinical studies

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: Typically not exceeding 160mg isoflavones daily for standardized extracts
- Warning threshold: Traditional doses have no specific toxicity noted; follow product guidelines for concentrated extracts

Bioavailability Notes:
- Isoflavone absorption varies significantly by individual gut flora
- Traditional preparations (tea, tincture) have substantially lower isoflavone content than standardized extracts
- Overnight cold infusion effectively extracts minerals
- Nourishing infusions (1 oz dried herb steeped overnight in 1 quart water) maximize nutrient extraction

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- Consistent daily use recommended for hormonal effects
- With or without food
- Fresh flowers are edible and can be added to salads

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Nettle + Calendula - Nourishing tea blend | Provides mineral support and lymphatic cleansing
2. Raspberry Leaf + Oatstraw - Women's tonic combination | Supports hormonal balance and nourishes nervous system
3. Dandelion + Burdock - Blood purifying formula | Enhances detoxification and supports skin conditions
4. Yellow Dock + Mountain Grape - Alterative blend | Strengthens blood-cleansing and skin-clearing effects
5. Echinacea - Immune and lymphatic support | Enhances lymphatic function and immune response

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. None specifically documented

Drug Interactions:
1. Anticoagulants (warfarin, dicoumarol) - Theoretical potentiation due to coumarin content | May increase bleeding risk | Severity: Mild-Moderate (red clover coumarins are much milder than pharmaceutical anticoagulants; monitor if using together)
2. Hormone Replacement Therapy - May have additive estrogenic effects | Consult healthcare provider before combining | Severity: Moderate
3. Oral Contraceptives - Theoretical interaction due to phytoestrogen content | Consult healthcare provider | Severity: Mild-Moderate

Food Interactions:
- None documented

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Pregnancy (avoid medicinal doses - estrogenic effects may disturb hormone balance; food amounts likely safe)
- Breastfeeding (avoid medicinal doses)
- Hormone-sensitive conditions (theoretical concern, though some research suggests protective effects)
- Bleeding disorders (theoretical concern due to coumarin content)

Side Effects:
- Generally well-tolerated
- No adverse events reported in 3-month clinical studies
- Does not cause endometrial changes per ultrasound studies
- Rare: mild digestive upset

Long-Term Use:
- Traditional use suggests safety for extended periods
- Clinical studies up to 1 year show no adverse effects
- No routine monitoring required for traditional doses
- For standardized high-dose extracts: periodic evaluation recommended

Special Precautions:
- Surgery: Discontinue 2 weeks before scheduled procedures due to theoretical bleeding risk
- Children: Traditional use documented as safe; avoid high-dose standardized extracts
- Sheep experience contraceptive effects; limited data on human fertility impact

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Menopausal symptom relief (hot flashes, night sweats), skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, acne), premenstrual breast tenderness, respiratory conditions (cough, bronchitis), blood purification and detoxification

Secondary: Cardiovascular support, bone health support, lymphatic support, gentle relaxant for sleep

Sources

Local Library:
- Western Materia Medica I.pdf
- Barrett, Marilyn - The Handbook Of Clinically Tested Herbal Remedies Vol 1 & 2.pdf
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs.pdf
- Soule, Deb - The Woman's Handbook of Healing Herbs.epub
- Lust, John - The Natural Remedy Bible.epub
- Tierra, Michael - The Way of Herbs.epub
- Brewer, Sarah - TDT Encyclopedia of Vitamins.epub
- Newton, Anna - Herbs for Home Treatment.epub
- Mayhew, Helen - A Guide to Herbal Remedies.epub
- Hoffman, David - An Herbal Guide to Stress Relief.epub
- Pursell, J.J. - The Herbal Apothecary.epub
- Mars, Brigitte - The Country Almanac of Home Remedies.epub
- Todd, Jude - Jude's Herbal Home Remedies.epub
- Moyad, Mark - The Supplement Handbook.epub

General Knowledge:
- Clinical trials: Promensil®, MF11RCE® standardized extract studies
- British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983
- British Herbal Compendium 1992
- Traditional European and Native American herbalism