Red Clover the safe herbal nutrition supplement and the most used herbal remedy

Red clover is common perennial plant is Native to the Eastern Mediterranean. It was later cultivated throughout Europe, where its beautiful pinkish-red flowers still cover the country’s vast fields and meadowlands. Red Clover belongs to the legume family (along with peas, soybeans, peanuts and beans) and was first brought to North America by the early English colonists who revered and recorded its many therapeutic qualities for each generation to follow. Countless legends and ancient folklore have been attributed to this relatively small plant over the years, but none are as common as is its widely accepted association with luck.

Normally, Red Clover leaves are divided by three leaflets, each marked in the center by an obvious ‘V’ shape. Probably at one point in time, we have all looked for that infamous lucky fourth leaf, but the four-leaf clover is simply a genetic mutation and statistically speaking, the odds are only 1 in 10,000 that you will ever find one. This common wives’ tale dates back to ancient times when clover was thought to be a blessed plant and those who possessed it would undoubtedly find luck in gaming and everyday life. Early Christians believed the three-leaf clover to represent the Trinity: God, the Son and the Holy Ghost. If a fourth leaf was found, they believed it to be “the Grace of God”.

Grandma’s secret cough remedy probably contained this sweet tasting herb. Used for centuries by Europeans and Native Americans Indians, Red Clover is still a reputed herbal remedy treatment for respiratory infections including; asthma, dry coughs, emphysema, bronchitis and whooping cough. Mixed with honey and water, the herb’s unique ability to loosen phlegm and calm bronchial spasms is still quite unmatched. It has been widely used as the safe herbal supplement or a safe home remedy.

Despite endless myths, the fact remains that Red Clover is by far one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in history. Today, it can be found growing wild in pastures and meadows all across North America. Its stems, which are essentially covered in tiny hairs to keep ants from easily climbing up to devour the honey it produces, can reach up to three feet tall. The edible egg-shaped flower heads are sweet and succulent each containing about 100 smaller flowers within.

The therapeutic components of this medicinal herb are contained mostly within the flower head and are collected in the summer months, however, as in ancient times, the leaves are often used in soups and salads or as a grazing crop for animals. Sprouted Red Clover seeds are also reported to be quite pleasant.

Red Clover is truly a wonder herb. Apart from its expectorant qualities, the herbal remedy is also known for its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. As researchers are now finding with many plants, Red Clover as the herbal medicine contains isoflavones(substances that act like estrogen), which in this case, were found to raise the good HDL cholesterol in menopausal women. One such study of pre- and post-menopausal women concluded that Red Clover actually strengthened the arterial walls, possibly reducing their risk of heart disease.¹ In fact, this medicinal herb was found to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones, also believed to posses blood-thinning properties that improve circulation.

For centuries, Red Clover has been used to treat cancer. Early accounts refer to patients as “being eaten away” by disease, or filled with “Consumption” for lack of another name. At that time, the common treatment was a tonic of Red Clover. Even today, such remedies as Essiac (commonly used as a cancer remedy) are filled with Red Clover. Researchers believe the theory behind the effectiveness of this herb is again, its high concentrations of isoflavones, proving to have an estrogenic effect on the body. Some researchers now believe that these isoflavones may even destroy specific types of cancer cells.² which to many, may seem astounding since substances with estrogenic properties are normally associated with breast cancer in women.

Red Following along the same lines, studies show that isoflavones, the herbal medicine found in Red Clover reduce the effects of menopause in some women. These isoflavones are thought to interact with the estrogen receptors, providing the essential beneficial effects of estrogen without the negative side effects, such as breast cancer, typically linked to elevated estrogen levels. Symptoms such as ‘hot flashes’, vaginal dryness, night sweats and reduced sex drive all improved when treated with Promensil, a pharmaceutical containing 290 mg of red clover extract.³

Osteoporosis is a growing concern for menopausal women. Many women turn to calcium, however numerous studies show that the body will only absorb certain forms of the mineral, and research now indicates that calcium alone is not the answer. Encouraging studies now report however, that a specific extract of Red Clover may elevate the bone-mineral density and even slow bone loss in pre- and perimenopausal women.⁴

When used as an ointment, Red Clover has proven not only extremely safe as a herbal treatment for eczema, especially in children, but also very effective. It has also been used to relieve lymphatic swelling and treat psoriasis and other long-standing skin conditions in adults. Red Clover has even been used to treat abscessed wounds and in some cases, Toxic Shock Syndrome. Some reports indicate it to be a mild sedative and as such, using red Clover may improve some sleep disorders.

Besides being the effective herbal remedy the red clover is also the wonderful herbal nutrition supplement and the health supplement. The herb is very high in essential nutrients including; calcium, magnesium, potassium, niacin , phosphorus , Vitamin C and Thiamin. This could account for its reputation as an overall tonic to nourish the blood and strengthen the immune system.

The Chinese refer to red Clover as Hsun Tsao, which has been a quite commonly used viral and herbal remedies in form of a tonic to treat cold and flu symptoms, relieving it has strong ant-viral and anti-fungal properties while Native Americans Indians were reported to use diluted Red Clover to treat eye infections.

Red Clover as herbal medicine can be used in a variety of ways depending on the need. For instance, crushed flowers can be directly spread onto an insect bite to reduce pain and swelling; a compress made from fresh flowers, simmered in water for 48 hours then evaporated and added to an ointment base, will alleviate swollen lymph glands. Normally however, Red Clover can be taken as a herbal tea, (1 – 2 tsp of dried flowers in 8 ounces of water, three times per day), in capsules (1000 – 3000 mg per day) or as a tincture (3 – 5 ml, three times per day).

Side effects with its use as herbal remedy or herbal nutritional supplements are very few but because Red Clover does have some vasodilator properties, those taking blood thinning drugs or herbs such as gingko, ginger, vitamin C or garlic should take precautions as well, because of its estrogenic properties, women suffering from breast cancer should avoid Red Clover until further research is conducted. It is also recommended that fermented red clover be avoided all together. As always, pregnant or lactating women should consult a health practitioner before using Red Clover.

References:

1. Nestel PJ, Pomeroy S, Kay S, et al, “Isoflavones from red clover improve systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal women, J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 1999;84(3):895-898
2. Stephens FO, “Phytoestrogens and prostate cancer: possible preventive role”, MJA. 1997;167:138-140.
3. Managing menopause naturally. Promensil clinical monograph. 1999. Novogen website. Available at: http://www.novogen.com. Accessed April 11, 2001.
4. Baber R, Bligh PC, Fulcher G, Lieberman D, Nery L, Moreton T, “The effect of an Isoflavone dietary supplement (P-081) on serum lipids, forearm bone density & endometrial thickness in post menopausal women [abstract]”, Menopause, 1999a;6:326.