Red Clover
Feb 16, 2025
Red Clover
Gen:
Red clover is a perennial herb that commonly grows wild in meadows throughout Europe and Asia and has been naturalized to grow in North America. The red flowers at the end of the branched stems are usually dried for therapeutic use.
Mechanism of Action:
Red clover might help protect against heart disease, but studies in humans have not found strong evidence.
Red clover isoflavones have been associated with an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol in pre- and postmenopausal women, but other studies show conflicting results. Red clover may also have blood-thinning properties, which keeps blood clots from forming. It appears to improve blood flow.
Dosage:
Dose may vary from person to person, but general guidelines are as follows:
Dried herb (used for tea): 1-2 tsp dried flowers or flowering tops steeped in 8 oz. hot water for 1/2 h; drink 2-3 cups daily. Powdered herb (available in capsules): 40-160 mg per day, or 28-85 mg of red clover isoflavones.
Precautions:
General side effects may include headache, nausea, and rash. Red clover may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in those people who are taking blood-thinning medications.
Interactions:
Red clover may interfere with the body's ability to process some drugs that are broken down by liver enzymes. For that reason, you should check with your doctor before taking red clover. Red clover may increase effects of estrogen.
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