Red Clover

What Is Red Clover?

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is an herbal supplement often used for natural menopause relief. It is also claimed to be beneficial for treating other conditions, such as high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

 

 

How Does Red Clover Work?

Red clover contains phytoestrogens, plant-based compounds that are similar to estrogen. Phytoestrogens (also known as isoflavones) are chemically similar to estrogen, which is probably why they have estrogen-like effects. In women with low estrogen levels (such as postmenopausal women), phytoestrogens act like weak estrogens. This is why, theoretically, red clover may work to relieve the symptoms of menopause or to treat osteoporosis (as estrogen helps maintain bone density).

 

In women with normal estrogen levels (most premenopausal women), phytoestrogens may have anti-estrogenic effects (as they can bind to estrogen receptors, but are weaker than regular estrogens).

 

Is It Effective?

There is not enough evidence to recommend red clover for treating menopause symptoms or any other use. Although some small studies have suggested that it may be effective for menopause treatment, other larger studies have shown it to be ineffective.

 

 

Dosing Information

Even though there is little information available about the best way to dose herbal supplements (compared to prescription or non-prescription medications), some general dosing information can be obtained from the few studies conducted on red clover.

 

 

Side Effects

Many people believe that "natural" products (including red clover) have no side effects. However, many natural products cause side effects, some of which can be quite serious. Red clover can cause side effects such as:

 

 

Drug Interactions With Red Clover

Red clover may interact with a few other medications or supplements (see Red Clover Drug Interactions).

 

Is It Safe?

When used at reasonable doses for short periods of time, the supplement is probably safe for many people. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies red clover as "generally recognized as safe" when used in small amounts in foods (such as teas or health drinks). However, some people are more likely than others to experience problems due to red clover. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider before taking it if you have:

 

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

 

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medication you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

 

 

What If I Take an Overdose?

It is not known what exactly to expect from an overdose. If you think you may have taken too much, seek immediate medical attention.

 

 

Storage Methods for Red Clover

Refer to the label of your individual red clover product for information on how best to store red clover. Keep red clover and all other medications or supplements out of the reach of children.