Red Clover Benefits
A Guide to Red Clover Benefits
If you have never considered red clover benefits, now is the time to take a look a how this tiny little flower can have a big effect on your health. Red clover contains many nutrients and is a source of isoflavones. Isoflavones are chemicals that are soluble in water and which act the same as estrogens. In addition, red clover benefits include such vitamins and minerals as vitamin C, calcium, thiamine, chromium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and niacin.
Because isoflavones are estrogens, red clover is taken to relieve hot flashes for women going through menopause and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) for younger women. Red clover benefits also include healthy breasts, better circulation, lower cholesterol, strengthening bones, preventing blood clots, and aiding in prevention of prostate cancer.
In women, the isoflavones in red clover seem to reduce the amount of breast pain that is associated with PMS, and prevent endometrial cancer, which is cancer of the uterus lining. In men, red clover benefits have also been observed, and these may include prevention of prostate cancer. It helps men who have benign prostate hyperplasia, which causes problems with urination.
Red clover benefits even seem to include prevention of heart disease, but more research will need to be done to have conclusive evidence. It is thought that red clover lowers the levels of bad cholesterol while elevating good cholesterol levels. Also, many people take coumarone to keep their blood from clotting and red clover naturally has substances that do the same thing as well. The same amounts of coumarone can unclog the arteries from the plaque that collects on the walls and leads to a blockage causing heart attacks.
All of these red clover benefits work together to purify blood. On top of that, red clover has been found to have a bone strengthening capacity that could help in the prevention of osteoporosis. While this is good news for women, there are some women who should be wary of using a supplement that contains red clover. For instance, women who have breast cancer should not use it. Likewise, if you are a female who is taking any hormone medication, you should not ingest red clover. That includes women who are taking birth control pills. Any one already taking medications which thin the blood should also not take this herb supplement.
Red clover can be ingested in several different ways. One of the most popular ways is to make red clover tea. Several cups of tea every week for three months can have the highest medicinal effect. Red Clover can also be taken as a tincture with 1m - 2 teaspoons a day. If you buy red clover capsules in health food stores or online, be sure to follow exactly the dosage on the package. Red clover can be applied externally to get rid of various skin conditions.
Tell your doctor if you are taking red clover in any form. Do not use this herb if your have any condition that affects the clotting of your blood, any type of cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or allergies. Also don’t use red clover if you are pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant or breast feeding.
Red clover was introduced to North America from Europe. Considered by many to be a weed, red clover can take over a field strangling all other plants in its path. It is abundant in meadows and pastures and is considered excellent feed for cows. Red Clover is the state flower of Vermont. It is the flowers which are used for medicinal purposes. If you wish to make them a part of your diet, they can be added to any dish, including salads.