Red Clover Benefits

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Red Clover Benefits: as an Alterative

Alterative is an herbal action with far reaching definitions, ranging from “altering” a person towards health to more specific actions such as lymphatic movement or hepatic detoxification. Older herbal literature often describes “bad blood” as an indication for alterative herbs, with specific afflictions being skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, chronic inflammation, chronic infections, skin ulcers, and glandular swellings. Modern day herbalists often believe the term “bad blood” refers to poor lymphatic movement or cloudy extracellular material rather than the actual blood being bad. 

I define alteratives as herbs that help the body eliminate metabolic wastes. Our bodies naturally perform elimination actions every day and alterative herbs can further assist in that process. 

Red clover is commonly used as an alterative herb to support skin health, both through internal and external use, and is also considered a mild lymphatic. Herbalists use it for a variety of skin ailments, from eczema to psoriasis to acne. It was historically used for scrofula, a disease of lymphatic swellings related to a form of tuberculosis. It is commonly combined in formulas with other alterative herbs, such as dandelion, burdock, chickweed, and nettles. 

In the past, red clover was frequently used as an anti-cancer herb. It plays a prominent role in several famous anti-cancer remedies, including Essiac and the Hoxsey Formula. It was used topically as well as internally.

To date, I haven’t seen any case studies from herbalists regarding red clover in cancer and there have been no human clinical trials using whole red clover. There have been some promising studies using isolated chemical constituents (isoflavones) of red clover, including studies for breast cancer and prostate cancer.^1,2 I would love to see more human clinical trials using extracts of whole red clover herb rather than isolated constituents. 

Also, in regards to historical use of red clover for cancer, Michael Moore reminds us in his book Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West that “The definition of ‘cancer’ back then was any necrotic sore that healed slowly and derived from below the surface.”

Other studies have shown that extracts of red clover are safe for women with a history of breast cancer and that taking red clover extracts does not increase breast density.^3,4 

Red Clover Benefits: as a Phytoestrogen

Red clover is a favorite herb for women experiencing hot flashes and other hormonal changes throughout menopause, including vaginal dryness and osteoporosis. Numerous studies have shown extracts of red clover to be safe and effective for hot flashes in particular.^5,6,7 Again, I would love to see human clinical trials performed using the whole herb rather than isolated extracts. 

Folk herbalists regularly recommend red clover for many hormonal imbalances for women, including infertility and PMS symptoms like sore breasts. 

In recent years, there has been some concern that red clover may increase cancer recurrence in estrogen-receptor positive cancer. This has not been shown to be true or false. The conservative recommendation is to avoid red clover in cases of estrogen-receptor positive cancer. 

However, according to the AHP Monograph on Red Clover, “There is no in vivo evidence to suggest that red clover specifically, or phytoestrogen supplementation generally, increases cancer risk in humans. In contrast, there is a plethora of data demonstrating cancer-preventive effects of phytoestrogens overall.

Red Clover Benefits: as a Nutritive

Red clover contains many phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including genistein, diadzen, formononetin, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and manganese.⁸ The flowers taste fresh and sweet and can be added to salads or dipped in a batter and fried as fritters. Making a vinegar extraction or a nourishing infusion is another way to enjoy the nutrient benefits of red clover. 

Red Clover Benefits for Whooping Cough

Red clover is a mildly antispasmodic herb that was historically used for whooping cough. While many Eclectic herbalists mention red clover for addressing dry spasmodic coughs, some caution that it doesn’t work as often as it does. 

When using red clover for dry spasmodic coughs, I recommend combining it with other moistening herbs like marshmallow root, plantain, licorice, or violet. 

In earlier editions of this work it was stated that "a strong infusion of the plant is said to afford prompt relief in whooping-cough, suspending the spasmodic cough entirely in 2 or 3 days; it is to be given in 1/2 fluid ounce, every 1 or 2 hours, throughout the day." Since then the remedy has come into extensive use, but the statement should be modified, as it does not reach all classes of cases. When the proper case is found it acts promptly, but as yet the specific indications in this complaint have not been discovered.
- King’s American Dispensatory, 1898

Red Clover Benefits for Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes?

While more information is needed, it’s hypothesized that red clover could be an important herb for people with insulin resistance (sometimes referred to as metabolic syndrome or Syndrome X) and type 2 diabetes. Possible positive effects for metabolic syndrome include red clover’s potential to downregulate chronic inflammation, increase insulin sensitivity, and support healthy cholesterol levels.⁹ 

Can Other Clovers Be Used Similarly to Red Clover?

We don’t have historic or clinical evidence of other clovers (Trifolium spp.) being used in similar ways as red clover. There have been a couple of studies showing there is a significant difference in the individual chemical constituents of various clovers, meaning that other types of clover probably do not substitute for the actions of red clover.¹⁰

Red Clover Benefits: Preparations

Red clover is a nutrient-dense herb that is best extracted with water. It is often used as a nourishing herbal infusion, using 1 ounce of dry herb infused in a quart of just-boiled water.

There is a lot of poor quality red clover on the market. If possible, harvest and dry your own to get the best quality. Because it can mold quickly, I recommend harvesting it at its peak and drying it in a single layer. If you live in a humid environment then a dehydrator may be the best drying method. If you purchase red clover, make sure you get freshly dried tops that have vibrant color.

Much of the commercial red clover on the market consists of inflorescences that are more brown in color than red, indicating suboptimal harvest, handling, drying or storage conditions.
- AHP Red Clover Monograph

Herbalists traditionally use red clover blossoms and the upper leaves.

Avoid red clover that is brown or has a powdery mildew on its leaves. If you purchase red clover that looks like this, return it to the seller right away!

Standardized Red Clover Extracts

There is a growing interest in using extracted isoflavones from pea family plants like red clover and soy. Studies have shown there is a significant variation in isoflavones in these products.¹¹

Dosage Suggestions for Red Clover Benefits

• Tea: Up to 1 ounce of dried flowers/leaves in infusion daily
• Tincture: 1:5, 30% alcohol: 3-5 mL up to three times a day¹²

Red Clover Side Effects

• Until we know more, it is recommended to avoid red clover in people who have (or have had) estrogen-receptor positive cancer. 
• There has been some concern that red clover may thin the blood, but this seems to be a concern for red clover that is fermented or not properly dried. This is also a concern for animals and not something that has been seen in humans. 
• Red clover has not been established as safe during pregnancy and lactation. 
• There is one case study that may show a possible interaction with high doses of methotrexate.¹³

Red Clover Benefits for Healthy Soils

Various Trifolium species are commonly used as cover crops on farms and in gardens. As a member of the pea family it fixes nitrogen in the soil, can break up heavy clay soils, and provides organic biomass that can be plowed in to improve the soil. If you’re a gardener, consider growing a rotating row of red clover in your garden and harvesting the flowers before digging the plant back into the earth. 

Read Sue Kush's article here to discover more red clover uses!

The Red Clover Herb

Citations for Red Clover Benefits

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