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Red Clover - Uses and Benefits
Alternative Names:
Red clover, Cow clover, Meadow clover, Purple Clover, Trefoil, Trifolium pratense, Wild Clover .
German = weisenklee, French = Triolet, Spanish = Trebol, Italian = Moscino
Herb Description
Red clover ( Trifolium pratense L ), a short-lived perennial herb that commonly grows wild in meadows throughout Europe and Asia,The flower head at the end of the branched stems are considered to be the source of its medicinal properties and are commonly dried for therapeutic use. Historically, red clover has been used for respiratory problems such as asthma,whooping cough, bronchitis .Current benefits of red clover are for menopausal symptoms, breast pain associated with menstrual cycles, symptoms of prostate enlargement, high cholesterol & osteoporosis. Researches have reported estrogen-like substances named isoflavones and anticoagulant chemicals called coumarins in red clover. Red Clover is used in many herbal formulas for menopause .
Red clover is a biennial plant reaching a height of up to 60cm.Flowers are pink or purple . Red clover flower heads are made up of many small flowers. Every flower head is between 1/2 inch and one inch wide. Planting red clover will make the soil better because the roots have special nodules that have nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These bacteria can absorb nitrogen from the air in the soil and make it available to the plant.
Properties
- Antispasmodic.
- Relaxant.
- Diuretic.
- Anti-Iinflammatory.
- Possibly Oestrogenic.
- Antiscrofulous.
- aperient.
- detergent.
- Diuretic.
- Expectorant.
- Tonic.
- Sedative dermatological agent.
Uses and Benefits
Red clovers Principal Use:
- Menopausal Symptoms .
Red clover has been used medicinally to treat many array of conditions like:
- Cancer.
- Mastitis (inflammation of the breast).
- Joint Disorders.
- Jaundice.
- Bronchitis.
- Spasmodic Coughing.
- Asthma.
- Skin Iinflammations( Psoriasis , Eczema).
Other Proposed Uses are Acne ,Cyclic Mastalgia ,Enhancing Mental Function, High Cholesterol ,Osteoporosis,High Blood Pressure ,Psoriasis.
Scientific reports has been shown to improve the flow of blood through arteries & veins,reduce blood pressure & improve bone density. It is Isoflavones chemical from Red Clover that is use to treat the symptoms of menopause .
Researches has also been reported that red clover can be taken for therapeutic purposes for coughs , sores , bronchitis , eczema ,scrofula and can be gargled for mouth ulcers and sore throats . Red clover is taken as a herbal treatment for respiratory problems, particularly whooping cough & also marketed as a remedy for chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Side Effects
Red clover have estrogen like properties & may lead breast tenderness, weight gain, hormonal problems that affect menstruation or fertility and endometrial hyperplasia that may lead to the risk of uterine cancer.
Not recommended the use of red clover for pregnant or breastfeeding women because of its estrogen like properties.
Other side effects may occur are:
- Breast Tenderness.
- Weight Gain.
- Hormonal Problems.
- Unusual Bleeding.
- Stomach Upset .
- nausea .
If any of these effects persist or worsen, call your doctor promptly.if you have any of these very unlikely but serious side effects: breast pain, weakness, leg pain, chest pain,severe headache . Contact your doctor immediately .
Dosage
Tea:
1 to 2 tablespoon dried flowers steeped in 8 oz boil water for half hour. Use 2 to 3 cups per day.
Powdered herb (available in capsules):
2 to 6 capsules (500 mg each) Take daily.
Tincture (1:5, 30% alcohol):
60 to 100 drops (3 to 5 mL) 3 times daily.
Drug Interactions
Red clover have isoflavones chemical as a estrogen-like properties & some studies suggest that synthetic and/or natural estrogens may cause the risk of breast cancer.In theory, red clover may cause the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs like warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix).
There are some pain relievers may cause the risk of bleeding if used with red clover, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil),aspirin, and naproxen such as Aleve,Naprosyn & Anaprox. Avoid red clover with blood-thinning herbs and supplements (such as ginger,ginkgo, garlic, and vitamin E) .
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