Traditional Uses Of Red Clover
In many cultures, the color and shape of flowers reveal properties of the plant . The color red is often associated with blood purifying and fever-busting benefits in Cherokee and other aboriginal medicines. Ben Charles Harris stated thatthe color may also suggest the astringency or healing effect of a plant in external or skin disorders arising from blood impurities .
This herb has been used historically for skin conditions, fever, colds, and lung issues especially in children. At one time, red clover was smoked as an anti-asthmatic. Lets look at the present day benefits of red clover.
Benefits Of Red Clover Tea
Red clover has long been used in traditional medicine as a treatment for cancer, whooping cough, various skin conditions and as a detoxifying diuretic.9 Here are some ways that red clover tea can benefit your health:
Promotes female reproductive health Red clover is specifically rich in isoflavones, which are similar to the female hormone estrogen. Many women use red clover tea to address hot flashes, breast pain or tenderness and premenstrual syndrome .10
However, isoflavones, which are phytoestrogens, have been linked to fertility issues in men and breast cancer in women.11 Due to these concerns, I recommend that men avoid phytoestrogens, especially in the form of unfermented soy. It should be noted, though, that the phytoestrogens in red clover are not operating in isolation. Red clover has a complex micronutrient profile and the isoflavones are only one component.
May reduce risk of breast cancer In 2013, a systemic review published in PLOS One addressed longstanding concerns about red clovers isoflavones and the potential impact these could have on breast cancer. The researchers found that lower levels of isoflavones were safe for breast cancer survivors. They also found evidence that an increased intake of isoflavones may provide protection against breast cancer, breast cancer recurrence and mortality.12
May Relieve Hot Flushes And Night Sweats
As red clover is high in isoflavones, it is believed to help decrease the frequency and severity of some menopause symptoms, like night sweats and hot flushes.
While some scientists have reported no improvement in menopausal symptoms from red clover, others have found significant positive effects.7
In a 2017 study published in PLoS One, scientists gave 59 perimenopausal women a supplement containing red clover and friendly bacteria and found they experienced a significant drop in both hot flushes and night sweats.8
Meanwhile, a 2016 study in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that red clover can decrease the numbers of hot flushes, particularly in women with severe hot flushes who experience five or more a day.9
Red clover also has potential to help other symptoms of the menopause, like depression, anxiety and vaginal dryness, but more studies are needed.10
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Medications That Slow Blood Clotting Interacts With Red Clover
Large amounts of red clover might slow blood clotting. Taking red clover along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel , diclofenac , ibuprofen , naproxen , dalteparin , enoxaparin , heparin, warfarin , and others.
Final Thoughts On Red Clover
Red clover tea has a wide range of natural health applications, but it is best known for its potential ability to address hormonal imbalances in middle-aged women, specifically those associated with aging and menopause.27
Red clover is a hardy plant that grows almost anywhere. Harvesting it is as simple as picking the flowers when they are in full bloom and drying them. Like all herbal teas, it can vary in potency and interact with prescription medications. Make sure you consult with a professional before using red clover tea for therapeutic purposes.28
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How Does Red Clover Work
The active ingredient in red clover is isoflavones. These are estrogen-like compounds, and it is thought that supplementing isoflavones can help to make up for the drop in estrogen production that comes with the menopause. Indeed, studies show that red clover isoflavones can help to improve a number of menopause-related symptoms.3
There have been a number of trials conducted on the use of red clover for mature women and women who are going through the menopause, which show that it can help with everything from bone density to cardiovascular health.4 There is less evidence for the use of red clover for treating premenstrual syndrome, and more research is needed into that particular use of the plant, however initial studies and literature reviews suggest that there is some promise for this.5
What Are Dosages Of Red Clover
Dosages of Red Clover:
Dosage Considerations â Should be Given as Follows:
Flower Tops
- 4 g orally three times daily
- 1 cup orally three times daily 4 g flower tops/150 ml water
Liquid Extract
- 1.5-3 ml orally three times daily 1:1 in 25% alcohol
Tincture
- 1-2 ml orally three times daily 1:10 in 45% alcohol
Topical
- Isoflavones extract: 40-160 mg/day orally
Cystic Mastalgia
Side effects of bismuth subsalicylate include:
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.
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What Is Red Clover Tea
Red clover, which is a legume in the bean family, was brought to North America by European immigrants in the 1500s. It is a versatile biennial or short-lived perennial. Red clover can adapt to a wide variety of soils and climates.4 It is often used as a cover crop with corn because of its ability to thrive in shady environments.5
Red clover grows from crowns and has hollow, hairy stems and branches. The stems can reach 30 inches, and there are four to six branches per stem. Red clover is topped by a pink flower, which is composed of hundreds of smaller legume flowers.6
Red clover tea, which is made from the flowering top, has been of particular interest to researchers and natural healers.7 Despite being derived from a plant so common that it may be growing in your backyard, red clover tea has a vibrant and complex flavor.
Unlike traditional teas, red clover tea is extracted from the flower rather than the leaves. It is sold in ready-to-use tea bags from online retailers, but an herbal tea infuser allows you to steep the unprocessed blossoms. Red clover tea has a delicate, sweet flavor profile.8
Red Clover Flower Tea
- Place blossoms into jar and pour alcohol over the blossoms, ensuring all are covered.
- Seal your jar and place your clover tincture in a dark cabinet.
- Let the tincture sit for 6 weeks and shake occasionally.
- Check alcohol level in case of absorption. Add more alcohol if needed to ensure full coverage.
- After 6 weeks, open jar and strain with a cheesecloth held by a strainer into a clean container.
- Transfer red clover tincture into individual dropper bottles if preferred.
- Standard adult amounts are 2-6 mL of tincture three times a day.
This article is written by Sharyn Hocurscak, herbalist and President of Herbal Community of Central Massachusetts.
REFERENCES
Chen J, Sun L. Formononetin-induced apoptosis by activation of Ras/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells. Horm Metab Res. Dec 44:943-8.
Graves, Julia. The Language of Plants, A Guide to the Doctrine of Signatures.Great Barrington, MA: Lindisfarne Books Steiner Books of Anthrosophic Press, Inc.
Hidalgo LA, Chedraui PA, Morocho N, Ross S, San Miguel G. The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gynecol Endocrinol. Nov 21:257-64.
Hoffman, David Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine.Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press
Tierra, Michael Planetary Herbology 2nd Edition. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press
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Harvesting And Drying Red Clover
Finding red clover is usually not an issue in the zones where it grows. As a precaution, be aware of possible yard chemicals or roadside pollution when wildcrafting. Do not harvest under roof drip lines and choose clover growing well away from roads.
When wildcrafting, never take all of the plants in a community leave enough red clover for pollinators and our fellow earthlings who use these plants for food.
Red clover blossoms are ready to be plucked one to two weeks after first bloom, and can be harvested up to three times in the establishment year. Simply pop the blossom off, leaving the rest of the plant undisturbed. If in use by an insect, wait politely or move along to another plant!
Normally, we recommend harvesting herbs after dew evaporation to prevent molding, but red clover is one of the few exceptions. If you pluck clover when its dry, it will turn brown. To retain the lovely color, pluck the flower from the top of the stem in the morning when there is still a little dew on the blossoms. Place the blossoms in a basket or on a drying rack and place in a dark, warm, ventilated, and dry place. Ensure that the blossoms are well spaced and not touching each other, and turn frequently while drying. Depending on conditions, your clover will be dry in 1 2 weeks.
Estrogens Interacts With Red Clover
Large amounts of red clover might have some of the same effects as estrogen. But red clover isn’t as strong as estrogen pills. Taking red clover along with estrogen pills might decrease the effects of estrogen pills.Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens , ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.
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Red Clover & Other Menopause Aids
Red clover is often combined with other natural extracts, vitamins and minerals in menopause, hormonal balance and other womens supplements. B vitamins, magnesium, green tea extract, calcium and soya isoflavones are popular examples.
The benefits of these combined supplements include:
- You get to enjoy the benefits of multiple ingredients, which usually work together or enhance one another
- You may notice other health benefits due to the variety of ingredients
- You can take red clover in tablets, capsules, liquid extracts, or as a tea
Making Red Clover Tea
You can also make tea from dried flower heads. Some proponents claim that to get the full benefit of red clover you need to use the whole flower, and not commercial red clover isoflavones, which many studies use.
To make a tea, use one to three teaspoons of dried red clover flowers for every cup of simmering water. Let steep for 15 minutes. Drink up to three cups of tea a day.
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Why Drink Rooibos Tea
Many people turn to teas because they are looking to enjoy a drink that isnt high in sugar, and does not contain unwanted additive or caffeine. Rooibos Red Tea also boasts nutritional value, offering essential vitamins and nutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and copper.
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Medications Changed By The Liver Substrates Interacts With Red Clover
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Red clover might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking red clover along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking red clover, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline , haloperidol , ondansetron , propranolol , theophylline , verapamil , and others.
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Buddha Teas Organic Herbal Tea Red Clover 18 Tea Bags 083 Oz
- July 1 2024 Expiration Date
The length of time for the expiration date or “best used before” date depends on the type of product, as well as the brand.
Perishable items generally have shorter expiration dates. Although our warehouse is fully air-conditioned, these more fragile items are put in cold storage for maximum freshness.
Our receiving department does its best to verify and then enter the correct expiration dates for all incoming products. However, discrepancies do occur from time to time. This being said, the exceptionally high turnover at iHerb ensures that our inventory is among the freshest in the industry.
- Date First Available: September 12 2021
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- Product code: BDH-01040
- 9 x 8.9 x 10.5 cm , 0.07 kgSwitch to Imperial units
- Caffeine Guide – Zero
Deep breaths with each sip of this nurturing herb.
Buddha Benefits:
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Using Red Clover For Health
You can buy red clover in capsule form, as tea bags, or in flower form. It can be used as a herbal tea, a dietary supplement, or even made into topical ointments which are useful for treating skin conditions. When it is used in moderation, red clover can be helpful for many health issues. Indeed, the plant has been used for treating pertussis, asthma, gout, and many other conditions.9 The important thing to remember is that it is best used in small quantities, and for short periods, because of the potential for side effects from large doses of phytoestrogens.
If you are going to use a tincture, then a small dose is sufficient for most purposes. Speak to someone who is experienced in the use of herbal remedies before self-medicating. Avoid the use of herbal remedies if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
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How To Use Red Clover
As well as the dried herb used to make red clover tea, the herbal remedy is available in a number of different forms including tinctures, capsules, liquid extract and ointment.
The dried red clover herb is readily available at health stores and making the tea is easy.
- Simply add 1 or 2 tablespoons of dried red clover flowers to a teapot and steep it in 8 ounces of hot water for between 20 and 30 minutes. For general health purposes try to drink 2 or 3 cups every day.
You might not even need to buy the dried herbs red clover is common and widespread across North America and Europe. If you have access to the plant why not pick and dry your own herbs and make your tea from scratch. I always feel there is something very satisfactory about making your own products where possible apart from the obvious fact that it costs a lot less. Pick it, dry it, steep it and enjoy it.
Where To Buy Red Clover Tea
ByAshton Hewes | Submitted On October 20, 2012
Red clover tea is one of those natural remedies that will work wonders if taken correctly, and you will find that it is one of the best remedies around. If you want to improve your health, you can use the antioxidants to help you fight off free radicals in your body. The tea is a very effective remedy, but it isn’t as widely available as you might like. The good news is that there are a few places where you can buy red clover tea, so you may want to look in the following places:
Learn more about Red Clover Tea as well as Red Clover Tea Benefits .
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