AKA: Trifolium pretense,  Bee Bread, Cow Clover, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Trefoil, Wild Clover

The red clover is a short lived perennial that ranges from 20 to 80 cm tall that can be found growing just about everywhere outside its native habitat of Europe, West Asia and Northwest Africa. This clover species dark pink flower that gets paler at the base.  The plant is valued by farmers for it nitro fixation and it is grown as a fodder crop to help increase the fertility of the soil.  Red clover is loaded with many important nutrients such as calcium, potassium and Vitamin C. The plant is also rich in isoflavones and  other phytoestrogens making it a useful herbal remedy for symptoms of menopause, PMS and BPH in men. The plant has also been used as a diuretic, to help improve circulation and has long been used to help with bronchial related problems.

Benefits and Uses  

• Hot flashes
• PMS
• Cholesterol
• Prostate Health
• Breast Health
• Osteoporosis prevention
• Diuretic

Isoflavones

Isoflavones are water soluble chemicals which act like estrogen. Women going through menopause can benefit from taking red clover extract rich in isoflavones, because of the chemical estrogen like ability to help eliminate symptoms of hot flashes and osteoporosis. Some studies have shown that menopausal women taking an extract of red clover isoflavone have seen a boost in bone mineral density.

Isoflavones and other plant derived estrogens (phytoestrogens) have a similar shape to some of the natural estrogen hormones in the body and taking plant rich in them may help prevent or relieve estrogen related symptoms such as breast pain, cramping and mood swings. These phytoestrogens are also important in preventing certain types of estrogen dependent cancer such as endometrial cancer.

These phtyoestrogens also play an important role in men's prostate health and studies have shown that taking red clover may help limit the effect of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in men which is the non cancerous enlargement of the prostate that occurs with age in many men. Red clover might also help block certain estrogen dependent enzymes that help cause prostate cancer.

Heart health and cholesterol

Some studies have shown that red clover may help lower the bad cholesterols and raise the level of good cholesterols in the body, although more research is needed. The plant also contains coumarins, which are chemicals that help keep the blood viscous and there is some evidence that suggests that is helps strengthen arteries.

Red clover also contains caffeic acid compounds which can help reduce inflammation and starve tumors and the plant has also been used to help smokers quit their horrible, filthy habit.

Side Effects

Because of its estrogen like abilities, women who are pregnant should not take red clover as it may lead abnormal fetal development. Also, women with hormone dependent conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, ovarian cancer or uterine cancer should not take red clover. Men suffering from prostate cancer should also avoid red clover unless it is recommended by their doctor.

coming soon....