Red clover

Trifolium pratense

Overview

Red clover shares many characteristics with the familiar white-flowered clover plant that is regularly found as a weed in gardens and lawns, but is much taller, with a distinctive bright pink flower.

Usage

Red clover contains phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) called isoflavones. In some studies, isoflavones from red clover have been shown to decrease symptoms of MENOPAUSE, perhaps by filling oestrogen-receptor sites in the female body. To help manage menopausal symptoms such as ANXIETY, hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness and fluid retention, red clover is best taken with hormone-balancing and STRESS-relieving herbs such as licorice, vitex, dong quai, sage, Korean ginseng and black cohosh. Prior to its relatively recent usage as a treatment for MENOPAUSE, red clover was traditionally regarded as a blood cleansing remedy, used to aid the management of skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and eczema. It is also traditionally indicated for children with colds, flu, bronchitis and other respiratory infections characterised by sore throats, swollen lymph glands, bronchial mucus and tight chests. In these circumstances it is usually taken in a cough mixture that's specially formulated for children and also contains thyme (which has broad-spectrum antimicrobial action), echinacea (to support IMMUNITY), licorice and ivy leaf (which promote the expulsion of mucus).

Instructions

Cautions

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