What are the benefits of red clover?

The benefits of red clover (trifolium pratense) for hormonal health.

The flowers of red clover can be used to restore hormonal balance,  promote fertility and support with menopausal symptoms.

Red clover for hormonal balance

Red clover is high in isoflavones which act as phytoestrogens. This means that they can protect against more dangerous forms of oestrogen that your body makes and the xenoestrogens we find in plastics and toxins. These play a role in hormonal based cancers so consuming phytooestrogens can be protective against this.   There has been a study that shows it can also be helpful for fibrocystic breasts.

The isoflavones in red clover such as genistein which is also found in chickpeas and soy have been shown to be protective against colon cancer too.

So whilst protecting against dangerous oestrogens, they can also be used therapeutically for people low in oestrogen such as symptoms of menopause. Benefits include:

  • Improve blood lipids and reduce cholesterol
  • Increase bone mineral content & strength – protective against osteoporosis
  • Reduce skin ageing induced by low oestrogen
  • Reduce hot flushes
  • Lowers blood sugar and so helpful with hormonal acne

Red clover is also used in folk medicine to enhance fertility and prevent miscarriages. It can regulate the menstrual cycle and tends to be a general cure all for infertility.

Other uses of Red Clover

As well as this red clover is high in minerals such as calcium and magnesium which nourish the nervous system to reduce stress and restore regular cycles. Therefore, drinking red clover infusion is a great way to supplement our mineral intake naturally to nourish our body.

Traditionally red clover is also used to clear the skin as in known as a blood cleanser or alterative. It enhances detoxification of the liver so works really well in chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

It also supports the lymphatic system and therefore, used in anti-cancer treatments both topically and internally.