Red Clover: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More!
By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Jun 14, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Jun 14, 2024Table of Contents
Red clover is more than just a wild flowering plant, belonging to the legume family. It is proposed to have some medicinal properties, thanks to its rich nutrients and plant compound content. One of these compounds, called isoflavones, acts like estrogen in the body. People have started using this plant again as a natural remedy. It has shown promise in managing health issues tied to menopause, bone strength, and heart health.
In this article, we’ll discuss about its many potential health benefits. These include better bone health and ease of menopausal symptoms. It may also help with skin and hair health, heart health, and even possibly help avoid cancer. We’ll also discuss about its possible side effects, and if it interacts with any drugs. Additionally, we’ll discuss the right dosages and dosage forms, and answer some common queries about this plant.
Did you know?
Animals like cattle traditionally grazed on it. .
Red clover, or Trifolium pratense, is part of the legume family. Itr originally comes from Europe and Asia. Now, you can find it in North America as well. The plant likes to grow in light, sandy soil in meadows. It’s fairly easy to recognise this plant. It has a taproot, bushy stems, and dark-pink or purple flowers. Its leaves are a trio and have a watermark on their surface. Roam around a meadow, and you might just identify one. Humans also use it as a management for various conditions. These include cancer and respiratory problems, skin issues like psoriasis and eczema, and most notably, symptoms of menopause
The red clover plant is full of good nutrients. It has minerals like calcium, chromium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. It contains vitamins like niacin, thiamine and vitamin C as well. But that’s not all. It’s also packed with isoflavones. They’re chemicals found in plants that act like weak estrogen. They are proposed to help with menopausal symptoms, heart health and even osteoporosis. But we don’t know this for sure yet. We need more studies to prove it.
The following table shows key nutrients and compounds found in red clover:
| Nutrient | Plant Compound |
| Calcium | Biochanin A |
| Chromium | Formononetin |
| Magnesium | Daidzein |
| Niacin | Genistein |
| Phosphorus | |
| Potassium | |
| Thiamine | |
| Vitamin C |
The red clover plant may be good for us in many ways. It may be useful for bone health, menopause symptom relief, skin and hair health, heart health and possibly even cancer risk reduction.
Women going through menopause may know the struggle of significant bone loss. This is due to a drop in estrogen levels. Some studies hint that red clover isoflavones may slow down this process. They may even enhance the bone mineral density in pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal women. But we need to study this further to confirm these findings.
In one study, 60 premenopausal women made a fascinating discovery. Those who took 150 mL of red clover extract daily for 12 weeks had less bone loss in their spine and neck. However, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. We need bigger studies over a longer term to verify these results.
So far, research on red clover has shown mixed results. Some studies indicate that it may protect bones. Others didn’t find any noticeable improvements in bone density in menopausal women taking the supplement. So, further investigation is needed to assess how much red clover can really help during menopause.
The isoflavones in red clover might provide some much-needed relief, thanks to their estrogen-like properties. However, the scientific community is debating over it. The overall evidence remains unclear.
Some women have found relief with red clover isoflavones. In some studies, taking 40 to 80 mg daily greatly reduced their hot flashes. Yet, larger studies did not find a change in hot flash frequency. Clearly, we need more research to determine how effective red clover is at reducing hot flashes.
Limited studies indicate that it may help reduce depression and anxiety during menopause. In one study, postmenopausal women saw a 70% decrease in depression and anxiety after taking red clover extracts. It’s promising, but we need more research to validate this connection.
Sexual symptoms tied to menopause can vary from one woman to the next. Some studies found significant improvements in vaginal dryness, painful sex, and low libido from red clover supplements. Others reported no change. It’s clear that more investigation is needed to fully understand red clover’s effectiveness on these symptoms.
Red clover may also do wonders for the skin and hair health. Some studies, albeit small ones, have shown positive results. When menopausal women took red clover extract, they noted improved hair and skin texture, look, and overall health. While promising, we need more research to confirm these findings.
Topical creams made with red clover have been used to manage skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rashes traditionally.
Creams or ointments with red clover may be helpful. They may improve the skin by easing inflammation and redness. However, more research is needed to support these claims.
Some early research suggest that red clover might protect the heart. Isoflavones from the plant raised HDL or “good” cholesterol levels in pre-and postmenopausal women. But studies on LDL or “bad” cholesterol have yielded conflicting results.
Some studies have found a drop in LDL and boost in HDL cholesterol in menopausal women taking the supplement. Others reported no significant changes. Further research is needed to cement these findings.
Some studies showed that red clover improved arterial compliance (or the elasticity of arteries) in menopausal women. This may reduce heart disease risk. The herb might also thin the blood, reduce clot formation. and improve blood circulation. But again, more research is needed to identify the exact cardiovascular benefits red clover may offer.
Preliminary research suggests that isoflavones from red clover might have some role to play in reducing the risk of and managing cancer. These plant compounds were shown to stop or destroy cancer cells in test tubes. Specifically, red clover might help lower the risk of prostate and endometrial cancer. But it might also feed certain hormone-sensitive cancers, like breast cancer, due to its estrogen-like effects.
Biochanin A, an isoflavone in red clover, could fight cancer, according to some test tube and animal studies. These results hint at the protective role red clover could play against prostate cancer. But we need to study this more in humans to validate this possibility.
While early laboratory studies hinted at the potential of red clover isoflavones to stop or kill certain cancer cells, we can’t overlook a risky downside. Red clover could feed the growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells. Till we know more, doctors can’t recommend red clover for all cancer risk reduction. If have breast cancer, discuss with your healthcare professional before trying red clover.
Red clover has other uses as well. Its blossoms and sprouts can be used in different ways.
You can eat red and white clover blossoms. Enjoy them in herbal teas or use them as garnishes.
Whether they’re fresh or dried, you can use red clover flowers in salads, soups, and desserts. They’ll add a mildly sweet flavour that’ll make your dish stand out.
They’re widely available in stores and online. If you prefer, you can make your own. Just steep dried red clover blossoms in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Make your dishes even healthier with sprouted clover seeds.
Clover sprouts come packed with health-boosting nutrients. These include fiber, vitamin C, and iron.
Feel free to use clover sprouts just like any other sprouts. Put them in sandwiches, smoothies, salads, and juices. But remember, avoid cooking the sprouts if you want to preserve their nutrients.
Red clover is generally safe to eat. But it can have a few side effects.
Some people may have an allergic reaction to red clover. This could cause skin irritation, itching, and rashes. So, if you’re thinking of trying red clover for the first time, do a patch test or discuss with your healthcare professional.
Red clover’s estrogenic properties could cause issues for anyone with hormonal disorders or a history of hormone-driven cancer. If you’re one of them, always check with your healthcare professional before starting any red clover supplement.
In case of pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is better to avoid red clover. It has estrogenic activity which could harm the baby. Children under the age of 12 should also avoid red clover supplements.
Red clover might be a blood thinner. This means it could increase your risk of bleeding if you’re also on blood thinners like warfarin. Consult your healthcare professional before starting red clover if you’re already on blood thinning medication.
Red clover might interact with it. As the herb has isoflavones with estrogen-like effects, it could disturb your hormonal birth control methods. Always consult with your healthcare professional before pairing up red clover supplements with hormonal birth control.
Be cautious around red clover. Its isoflavones could interfere with the management. Always remember to discuss with your healthcare professional before taking red clover supplements if you’re on hormone replacement therapy.
Red clover comes in a variety of forms. These include teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules, and liquid and standardised extracts. It can even be made into an ointment. Because we lack long-term studies, don’t self-medicate for more than 3 to 6 months without talking to a healthcare professional.
You can find standardised red clover supplements in capsule or tablet form. Typically, they have 40 to 80 mg of isoflavones per dose.
Determining the right dosage of red clover can be tricky as there’s no fixed rule. Always stick to your healthcare professional’s advice or the label’s instructions.
Red clover may seem like just a wild flowering plant. But it’s rich in nutrients and isoflavones that could have potential health benefits. These may include better bone health, menopausal symptom relief, skin and hair health, heart health, and possibly cancer risk reduction. Though current studies do point to these possibilities, more research is needed to confirm them. That’s why it’s wise to discuss with a healthcare professional first, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, have hormonal imbalances, or if you’re at risk of hormone-sensitive cancers. And remember, it could interact with certain drugs so don’t forget to inform your healthcare professional.
Red clover has been used to manage many health problems. These include menopause symptoms, bone loss, high cholesterol, and problems with skin and hair. But remember, we need more concrete research to verify these benefits.
Avoid red clover if you have hormonal imbalances, a history of hormone-driven cancer, or if you’re allergic to the plant. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding it is best not to take red clover either. When in doubt, reach out to a healthcare professional.
There is no solid evidence that red clover aids in weight loss. Some studies do suggest a connection between red clover isoflavones and better cholesterol levels. This might indirectly affect your body weight.
Red clover has traditionally been topically used for skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. But we still lack scientific evidence to back these uses.
Yes, you can use red clover as a tea or garnish. But to get a set amount of isoflavones, it’s recommended to use red clover supplements or extracts. Always do this under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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