Red clover has been used for centuries in traditional European herbal medicine, but it’s just recently gained popularity in the United States. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t yet approved red clover as a dietary supplement or pharmaceutical product, so most of what we know about it comes from research conducted abroad and anecdotal evidence from users here in America. Nonetheless, there are many promising benefits of red clover that make it worthy of your consideration if you’re looking to get more natural products into your life.
What is red clover?
Red clover is a perennial plant in the legume family. It’s easy to identify by its light pink-red flowers that grow in dense spikes. The name red clover is derived from the color of the leaves when they are crushed. The active ingredient responsible for most red clover benefits is coumestrol (also known as biochanin). Coumestrol contains phytoestrogen compounds that offer all sorts of health benefits.
All about bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are chemical compounds found in plant foods like grapes, oranges, apples, tomatoes and red clover. They have many benefits for skin health because they help the connective tissue hold collagen together. They can also decrease inflammation on the skin which is caused by acne breakouts or other skin conditions. Bioflavonoids can also improve scalp health by strengthening the hair follicles which increases hair growth.
Promotes antioxidant protection
Antioxidants protect our cells from free radicals which are byproducts of metabolism that damage cells and can lead to serious illnesses. Red clover offers antioxidant protection with high levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene (vitamin A) and phytochemicals. All the nutrients in red clover work together to reduce inflammation. The antioxidants also protect the skin from sun damage.
Vitamin K to help with skin clarity
Vitamin K can help with skin clarity by enhancing collagen production. Collagen is the protein that helps to keep the skin elastic, healthy looking, and youthful. It also helps your body to heal wounds faster. Women who take a daily vitamin K supplement are less likely to get breast cancer than women who don’t take supplements.
Anti-inflammatory action helps with irritation
Red clover has an anti-inflammatory action that helps with skin irritation. The herb can also be applied to the scalp to soothe dryness and itching. In addition, red clover is known for its ability to provide relief from menopause symptoms such as hot flashes.
Supports regular blood flow
Red clover contains many beneficial compounds including flavonoids (anthocyanins), isoflavones, coumestans, triterpenes, sterols, fatty acids (linoleic acid) and more. The presence of these compounds supports regular blood flow.
May reduce hair loss and prevent thinning hair
Red clover may help prevent hair loss thanks to its high levels of isoflavones, which act as phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens). These isoflavones can stimulate hair growth at the follicle level. Some studies have even shown that red clover may work better than minoxidil in stimulating hair growth.
Supports natural menopausal relief
Red clover is an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. It contains isoflavones that have estrogen-like effects on the body, which can help relieve symptoms like these. The extracts from red clover also offer benefits to a woman’s skin. They contain flavonoids like quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and apigenin that act as antioxidants to reduce inflammation in the skin.
Decreases hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause symptoms
Red clover has been used to help with menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and night sweats. The plant is rich in phytoestrogens that can mimic the human hormone estrogen. This can help balance out hormonal imbalances.
