Scientific name: Trifolium Pratense
Other names: Beebread, wild clover, cow clover, meadow clover.
Brand Name: Menopace Max
Dosage forms: Oral, topical, drinkable
What is Red Clover?
Red clover is a member of the bean family, Fabaceae. It has its origins in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Africa. But its plantations are now grown in many other regions.
Estrogen is an androgen that plays a part in the development of secondary sexual characteristics in women. Not only does it regulate reproductive cycles and sexual arousal in women, but it also affects the following mechanisms in the body:
– Bone density
– Sleep cycle
– Reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol)
– Modulation of skin physiology
– Enhances mood
– Helps reduce cancer-causing free radicals
The drastic reduction of estrogen levels in menopausal women leads to health issues that negatively affect the quality of life and induces depression and anxiety. Isoflavone or phytoestrogen from Red Clover is effective in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in post-menopausal women.3
Red Clover is also used as a treatment regimen for:1
– Bronchitis
– Asthma
– Cancer
– Skin sores, burns
Apart from the natural remedy from Red Clover, a Hormone Replacement Therapy(HRT) is achieved by the administration of synthetic estrogen, estradiol.
How to use Red Clover?
The bioactive constituent in Red Clover is Isoflavone. Manufacturers supply the herb in several forms such as tea, tablets, capsules, tincture, etc.1 These formulations are available as a whole herb or as an isolated concentrate of Isoflavone.
A study conducted to compare the action of estradiol and isoflavones from Red clover claimed that no adverse effects were noted with the herb extract. However, formulations differ from each other in their permeability, absorption rates, and therapeutic effects. Consequently, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of Red Clover as a medicinal herb.
What are the side effects of Red Clover?
It’s a common notion to assume that natural supplements are safe to use. But side effects and even life-threatening consequences are associated with the use of these supplements.1
Some side effects of Red Clover consumption include:
– Muscle ache
– Headache
– Bloating, breast tenderness
– Mood changes
– Rash
– Loss of appetite
The following adverse effects have also been noted: 2
– Pedal edema
– Abdominal tenderness
Who should not use Red clover?
– History of estrogen-related cancer
– Children aged 12 and younger 2
– Pregnant women
– Lactating mothers
– People with bleeding disorders or on warfarin (Coumadin) therapy
– Those with protein S deficiency
– Those who have undergone surgery recently
– Hypersensitivity to the herb
References
- Red Clover. Medscape. Available from: https://reference.medscape.com/drug/beebread-cow-clover-red-clover-344581#2.[Published: not mentioned]. Accessed: July 20, 2021
- Red Clover. Drugs.com. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/npp/red-clover.html. [Updated: Oct 21 2020]. Accessed: July 20 2021
- Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, Gocan A, Stammler M, Imhof M. Improvement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extracts. Maturitas. 2010;65(3):258-261. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.10.014
