If you’ve ever seen a red clover, chances are that you’ve seen it on the roadside or as cow fodder. It’s so common that it’s sometimes considered a backyard pest!
But what a lot of people don’t know is that this common plant contains a load of vitamins and minerals that are good for your health. After all, if red clover is such a sought-after feed for cows, then it must be great for humans, too!
Lucky for us, red clover is perfectly safe for human consumption. Herbalists have long used this plant for its phytoestrogens – chemicals that have a similar structure to estrogen – as it helps relieve menopause symptoms, along with other estrogen-related hormonal imbalances.
Aside from hormonal problems, the red clover has a lot of other therapeutic and medical uses too.
But first, let’s get to know more about the organic red clover:
What is Red Clover?
The red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a herbaceous flowering plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family (commonly known as legumes). The red clover thrives in temperate regions, and it is native to Europe, Asia, and Northwest Africa. The plant can be recognized by its beautiful dark pink flowers, which is sometimes used for ornamentation. Both its leaves and flowers are safe for consumption, giving it plenty of ways to be consumed.
The red clover’s prominence as feed for cows, pigs and horses had led to it being an important symbol in many cultures of the past. In the Middle Ages, the red clover is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and was associated with the holy trinity by early Christians due to its three-part leaflets. In Ancient Rome and Greece, it was highly valued as feed for war horses, aside from its agricultural use.
The medicinal benefits of red clover had also been known for centuries. In traditional Chinese medicine, red clover is used to treat whooping cough. Similarly, Dutch settlers in North America used red clover to tear croup, which is the inflammation of the larynx and trachea in children.
8 Benefits of Organic Red Clover
- It can treat menopausal symptoms
The ability to treat menopausal symptoms is one of red clover’s most remarkable capabilities.
Organic red clover contains isoflavones, which are compounds that are capable of imitating estrogen’s effects on the body. Thus, when taken as a supplement, these isoflavones can help treat the symptoms of decreasing estrogen levels experienced by menopausal women.
In a clinical trial from 2002, it was reported that menopausal women who took organic red clover supplements daily experienced fewer hot flashes after four months.[1]
In another study from 2005, 60 menopausal women were prescribed red clover supplements which were taken within the course of 90 days. Compared to those that were given a placebo, it was observed that menopausal symptoms decreased significantly among those who regularly took red clover supplements. [2]
- It may help cure cancer
A few studies were able to prove that organic red clover may help prevent the development of cancer cells.
In a study from 2009, it was found that red clover was able to inhibit the production of the prostate-specific antigen, which is a type of protein that is present in excessive amounts among men with prostate cancer. [3]
However, due to red clover’s isoflavones, it may further aggravate estrogen-related cancers, such as breast cancer and endometrial cancer. Therefore, women who are predisposed to have these cancers are advised to avoid taking red clover supplements.
- It may help prevent heart diseases
The red clover is also an effective cure for various heart ailments thanks to its blood-thinning properties.
For one, this means it could help ease hypertension, as it is able to reduce systemic inflammation throughout the cardiovascular system. In a study among menopausal women, it was found that red clover was able to increase arterial compliance – a trait that diminishes with the onset of menopause. Arterial compliance is measured by two variables: pressure and the volume of outflow from the aortas. [4]
- It can protect against osteoporosis
The loss of bone density one of the symptoms that come with menopause and aging. In another study that involved menopausal women, it was found that the regular consumption of red clover supplements mitigated the deterioration of bone density. This was concluded to be linked with the abundance of phytoestrogens in organic red clover.[5]
Despite these promising results, more studies are yet to be conducted to gauge the effects of red clover on bone health.
- It can help relieve anxiety among menopausal women
It turns out that the red clover has some beneficial effects on mental health – but for now, it had only been proven among menopausal women.
In a study published in 2010, 109 menopausal women were assigned to take two capsules of red clover supplements within a span of 180 days, which saw a 76.8% decrease in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores.[6]
- It can treat respiratory problems
The red clover has also long been used as expectorant – meaning it is able to expel phlegm and other mucus out of your respiratory system.[6] And as mentioned earlier, traditional Chinese medicine used organic red clover to treat whooping cough.
So if you’re having difficulties with a minor cough, perhaps drinking a cup of red clover tea might help clear up your throat.
- It can help treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
Another of the red clover’s wonders is its ability to inhibit the growth of chlamydia, which is one of the most common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
In a study from 2012, it was found that the isoflavone biochanin A, which is a main component of red clover extract, was a potent inhibitor of chlamydia, specifically the strains Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae.[7]
- It can treat skin ailments
Lastly, red clover had long been used as a topical treatment for minor rashes and irritations.
In a study from 2007, red clover has also shown potential as a natural sunblock ingredient. A red clover ointment was applied to mice that were subsequently exposed to moderate levels of UV radiation, and results showed that the primary isoflavones in red clover were able to protect against inflammation and immune suppression induced by UV radiation.[8]
Best ways to incorporate Red Clover into your diet
Clearly, the red clover has a wide range of promising benefits and medicinal uses which make it deserving of its “superfood” title.
Conveniently for us, the red clover can be consumed in plenty of ways, as both of its leaves and flowers are safe for consumption.
Here are some easy and accessible ways you can harness the goodness of red clover for better health:
As an ingredient or eaten raw
The leaves and flowers of the red clover is perfectly safe for consumption. It can even be used as an ingredient in many dishes, and a lot of people find its faint bean-like taste very pleasing.
Feel free to add the flowers and leaves of red clover to salads, soups, stews, and even lasagna!
It also has a high protein content, which can help you feel full faster. This makes red clover a nutritious ingredient for people who are trying to lose some weights.
As a tea
Like most herbaceous plants, red clover can also be made into tea, which is one of the most nutritious ways to prepare it. It can be bought in tea bags or prepared using dried red clover flowers.
To make red clover tea, simply brew 1 cup of red clover blossoms (dried) in 4 cups of boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain while pouring to avoid swallowing any unwanted solids. You can sweeten it with honey and sugar to your liking. If you want to add dimension to its flavor, you can combine red clover with other teas as its sweetness mixes well with other flavors.
Precautions
While red clover is safe for general consumption, people who are under certain circumstances may need to avoid consuming red clover in larger quantities.
Firstly, people with hormone sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids should avoid consuming red clover as it may amplify symptoms. Similarly, people who take estrogen pills (i.e., birth control pills) should not take red clover supplements as its pseudo-estrogen compounds may possibly decrease the effects of estrogen.
Red clover is also known for slowing down blood clotting – therefore, it should not be taken with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs as its effects will be amplified, which may cause bruising and bleeding.
It was also found that red clover supplements may affect liver function. Therefore, it is best to seek advice from your doctor to confirm if red clover may interfere with the medications you are currently taking.
Its safety on children and babies have also not yet been tested, so it is advised that pregnant and nursing mothers, along with children, should avoid therapeutic/regular consumption of red clover.
Conclusion
The red clover is such as common plant that people might overlook the fact that it’s one of the best superfoods out there, with benefits that range from treating menopausal symptoms to preventing chlamydia.
Both its leaves and flowers can be safely consumed, which can be eaten in salads, soups, and stews, or drank as hot or iced tea.
References
[1] van de Weijer, P. H., & Barentsen, R. (2002). Isoflavones from red clover (Promensil®) significantly reduce menopausal hot flush symptoms compared with placebo. Maturitas, 42(3), 187-193.
[2] Hidalgo, L. A., Chedraui, P. A., Morocho, N., Ross, S., & San Miguel, G. (2005). The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 21(5), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590500361192
[3] Gray, N. E., Liu, X., Choi, R., Blackman, M. R., & Arnold, J. T. (2009). Endocrine-immune-paracrine interactions in prostate cells as targeted by phytomedicines. Cancer Prevention Research, 2(2), 134-142.
[4] Nestel, P.J., Pomeroy, S., Kay, S., Komesaroff, P., Behrsing, J., Cameron, J.D. and West, L., 1999. Isoflavones from red clover improve systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(3), pp.895-898.
[5] Lipovac, M., Chedraui, P., Gruenhut, C., Gocan, A., Stammler, M., & Imhof, M. (2010). Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts. Maturitas, 65(3), 258-261.
[6] Booth, N. L., Overk, C. R., Yao, P., Totura, S., Deng, Y., Hedayat, A. S., … & Farnsworth, N. R. (2006). Seasonal variation of red clover (Trifolium pratense L., Fabaceae) isoflavones and estrogenic activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(4), 1277-1282.
[7] Pohjala, L., Uvell, H., Hakala, E., Gylfe, Å., Elofsson, M., & Vuorela, P. (2012). The isoflavone biochanin a inhibits the growth of the intracellular bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Planta Medica, 78(11), PD132.
[8] Widyarini, S., Spinks, N., Husband, A. J., & Reeve, V. E. (2001). Isoflavonoid Compounds from Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Protect from Inflammation and Immune Suppression Induced by UV Radiation. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 74(3), 465-470.
