Red Clover Herb and Blossom

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Red Clover Herb and Blossom

http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/usa/healthinformation/encyclopedias/RedClo\

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Scientific Names:

Trifolium pratense L.

 

Forms:

Red Clover Herbal Teas;

Red Clover Phytoestrogen Standardized Extracts

 

Traditional Usage:

- Acne

- Addiction (alleviates cravings)

- Allergies

- Anti-inflammatory

- Antioxidant

- Bone and Joint Health

- Breathing Disorders

- Canker Sores

- Celiac's Disease

- Cellular Regeneration

- Cleansing

- Crohn's Disease

- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

- Colitis

- Detoxifying

- Digestive Disorders

- Diuretic

- Diverticulitis

- Eczema

- Endometriosis

- Endotoxic Shock (infection-related toxemia)

- Fibroids

- Fibromyalgia

- Gastrointestinal Disorders

- Headaches

- Hepatitis

- Hormone Imbalances

- Irritable Bowel Syndrome

- Joint Pain

- Menopausal Problems

- Migraines

- Osteoporosis

- Poultice

- PMS

- Psoriasis

- Senility/Aging Conditions

- Skin Disorders

- Vascular Disorders

 

 

 

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 help to

maintain proper bone density in menopausal women, as well as relieving hot

flushes and night sweats.

 

Red clover has been a valued medicine since ancient times and was particularly

valued for treating respiratory problems, colds, flues and infections in the

19th century.

 

Red clover is recognized as a detoxification herb or " blood cleanser " . The tea,

like that of licorice root, is also said to be effective for treating

gastrointestinal problems and can be used externally as a hydrocortisone cream

replacement for alleviating skin inflammations and psoriasis.

 

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 for preventing and treating many of the

major degenerative diseases plaguing our society today.

 

Phytoestrogens support good health in many ways such as: 1) they 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 prevent the formation of new blood vessels that feed abnormal

(cancerous) cells;

 

they inhibit abnormal cell growth, and

 

9) they boost several beneficial enzymes within the body that prevent DNA

adducts and reduce cellular damage and aging.

 

 

 

 

Active Ingredients:

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 flavonoid-type antioxidants and is rich in protein.

 

 

 

 

 

Suggested Amount:

Red clover can be taken as a tea with the recommended dosage of one to three

cups per day, using one teaspoonful of dried herb and blossom per cup of boiling

water. A typical dosage of red clover extract provides 40 to 160 mg of

isoflavones daily.

 

 

 

 

Drug Interactions:

Phytoestrogens and other flavonoids 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 required with the use of red clover

products.

These drugs should only be used in combination with red clover extracts under a

physician's supervision.

 

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 is 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.

 

 

Potential Positive Interaction:

Phytoestrogens counteract the potential negative effects of Hormone Replacement

Therapy (HRT) drugs and other sources of synthetic estrogens, and based on

controlled studies with soy phytoestrogen extracts, this will not reduce the

therapeutic effects of these drugs.

 

Alternatively, Natural Hormone Replacement (NRT) drugs (based on estriol instead

of the more problematic estrogens, estradiol and estrone), available from

selected pharmacies in North America such as from Kripps Pharmacy in Vancouver,

B.C., are often combined with red clover extracts and are complimented by

phytoestrogens.

 

 

 

 

Contraindications:

None known.

 

 

 

Side Effects:

None known.

 

 

 

References:

Liu J, Burdette JE, Xu H, Gu C, van Breemen RB, Bhat KP, Booth N, Constantinou

AI, Pezzuto JM, Fong HH, Farnsworth NR, Bolton JL. 2001. Evaluation of

Estrogenic Activity of Plant Extracts for the Potential Treatment of Menopausal

Symptoms. J Agric Food Chem 2001 May 21; 49(5): 2472-2479.

 

Scambia G, Mango D, Signorile PG, et al. Clinical effects of a standardized soy

extract in postmenopausal women: a pilot study. Menopause. 2000; 7: 105–111.

 

Stephens FO. 1997b. Phytoestrogens and prostate cancer: possible preventive

role. Med J Aust 167 (3): 138-140.

 

Wahlquist ML, and Dalais FS. 1997. Phytoestrogens: emerging multifaceted plant

compounds. Med J Aust 167 (3): 199-120.

 

Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, and Blen M. 1998. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of

foods, herbs and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 217 (3): 369-378.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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