Botanical name:
Trifolium Pretense, Trifolium "Pratense" is Latin for 'found in meadows'

Synonyms:
Cow Clover, Wild Clover, Purple Clover Beebread, Cow Grass, Meadow Clover, Peavine Clover, Rotkleebluten (German) Trèfle Rouge (French)

Characteristics:
Red Clover originates in Europe and Northern Africa and is related to the leguminosae. A perennial, its flowers are ball-shaped and its leaves are arranged in triplets. Red clover is one of the oldest herbs known. It can be found along road, in pastures, and in open country. Flowering time is May-September.

Active Ingredients:
Tannins, glycosides, phenols, flavonoids (pratolenin), selenium, essential oil, salicylates, caffeic acid, p-cumariczuur, calcium, chromium, magnesium, tin, thiamine (B1), niacin (B3), vitamin C, phosphorus, copper. Red clover herb and blossoms contain: Phytoestrogens including genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin-A. The phytoestrogen content varies from 1.0% to 2.5% of dry matter. Red clover also contains many other useful flavonoid-type antioxidants and is rich in protein.

Beneficial Qualities:

• Cleanses the blood (depurative)
• Detoxifies (detoxificant)
• Tonic for liver and gall bladder
• Prevents inflammation (antiphlogisitic)
• Counteracts uncontrolled growths (antineoplastic)
• Counteracts constipation (deobstruent)
• Expectorant
• Stimulates the secretion of urine (diuretic)
• Stimulates the secretion of gall
• Sedative
• Counteracts geriatric complaints
• Helps build up defense mechanism against allergies
• Possible estrogenic effect (fertility)
• Counteracts cramps (antispasmodic)

Application:
Historically or traditionally known functionally to support the body's physiology in dealing with:

• Degenerative complaints caused by accumulated toxins (e.g. gout)
• Skin complaints like acne, eczema, psoriasis, dry skin
• Lymphatic challenges
• Recovery from illness
• (whooping) cough, tightness of the chest, hoarseness, inflammation of the mammary glands
• Auto-intoxication (self-poisoning as a result of insufficient discharge of toxins)
• Cleansing and elimination of toxins
• Inflammation of the intestinal mucous membrane

Side effects:
There are no known side effects

Contraindication:
Phytoestrogens and other flavonoids in red clover have mild blood-thinning properties that are natural and beneficial (blood platelet anti-stickiness effects) and so a reduced dosage of blood-thinning drugs (such as Coumadin [warfarin], heparin, Trental [pentoxifylline], or even aspirin) may be recommended with the use of red clover products. These drugs should only be used in combination with red clover extracts under a physician's supervision if you are prescribed these drugs and using red clover please consult with your health care professional as to the proper dosage.

Based on studies with soy, red clover extracts at dosages of up to 160mg/day of phytoestrogens, should not interfere with prescription hormone replacement drugs such as ERT or HRT products (i.e. Premarin) (Scambia et al. 2000). However, until further research is done, it may be best to consult your health care practitioner in this case. It is thought that concentrated phytoestrogen products may also interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills; however, one study with 40 women suggests that this worry is unfounded (Martini et al. 1999). Until further research is done, it is best to consult your health care practitioner in this case.

Overview:
Red clover is a legume rich in isoflavonoid phytoestrogens including: genistein, daidzein, formononetin and biochanin-A, compounds that are now recognized for supporting critical hormone levels within the body in both men and women, without having any negative side effects. Controlled clinical trials show that phytoestrogens from red clover may help to maintain proper bone density in menopausal women, as well as helping with hot flashes and night sweats. Red clover has been a valued medicine since ancient times and was particularly valued for treating respiratory problems, colds, and infections in the 19th century. Red clover is recognized as a detoxification herb or "blood cleanser". The tea of red clover is also said to be effective for gastrointestinal issues. Historically, the blossom tea was also used as an antispasmodic and mild sedative. Research is showing that phytoestrogens, including and especially those from red clover, are beneficial and may be preventative and remedial for many of the major degenerative challenges plaguing our society today.

Phytoestrogens support good health in many ways such as: 1) they may bind at estrogen receptors and prevent the body from over-producing estradiol; 2) they dilute xenoestrogen-type toxins by binding at receptor sites and function as anti-estrogens; 3) they boost progesterone expression and help to normalize the body's important estrogen to progesterone ratio; 4) they reduce cholesterol and support the liver in its critical role of detoxifying the blood and converting excess estradiol into the more benign form of estriol; 6) they are powerful antioxidants; 7) they may prevent the formation of new blood vessels that feed abnormal cells; 8) they may inhibit abnormal cell growth, and 9) they boost several beneficial enzymes within the body that prevent DNA adducts and reduce cellular damage and aging.

Red clover is one of the main herbs used in the battle for good health. Red clover has been known in various cultures for its effects for about a hundred years. In the 19th century, a group of American doctors wrote: ‘It unquestionably retards growth. While many present day scientists would deny this, the effect of red clover has been demonstrated in several studies.

Harry Hoxsey's therapy also used red clover. American doctor Jonathan Hartwell has published an article in The Journal of Natural Products in which he remarked that 33 separate cultures all over the world use red clover. Researchers of the NCI also found good qualities in clover mainly because of the presence of daidzein and genistein. In addition, red clover contains the antioxidant tocopherol, a compound of the vitamin E group. These results do not warrant red clover to be the ultimate herb, but for those with an abnormal hormonal form (ovaries, breast, uterus, etc.) effects may be beneficial.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense [Latin]), also known as purple clover, trifolium, sweet clover, and cow clover, is one of the world's first agricultural crops. Named for the pinkish purple flower this plant produces, red clover has a long history of medicinal use. Red Clover Research shows that red clover helps to combat microbes that could cause problems. Red Clover is a blood purifier that facilitates the elimination of toxins and waste through the skin, kidneys and bowels. Recent laboratory studies have shown that this plant does indeed kill many types of bacteria.

Fresh red clover is easily identified by its signature three-leaflet leaves, and sweet-smelling pink or purple edible, ball-shaped flowers. You can find this plant growing just about anywhere in the wild, although it doesn't grow well in sandy or rocky soil.