Phytoestrogen – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Recipes

Phytoestrogen/Clover Tea (Trifolium pratense) is an herb that belongs to the legume family, which also includes peas and beans. In herbal medicine, red clover is typically used to treat respiratory issues (such as asthma, whooping cough, and bronchitis), skin disorders (such as eczema and psoriasis), inflammatory conditions like arthritis, and women’s health problems (such as menopausal and menstrual symptoms).

The top benefits of red clover tea include its ability to lower cholesterol, mitigate the effects of menopause, protect against prostate cancer, improve circulation, soothe the nerves, increase bone density, treat respiratory infections, cleanse the skin, detoxify the body and strengthen the immune system. Due to the presence of estrogen-like compounds in this tea, there are some side effects, particularly for people who have been diagnosed with hormone-dependent conditions, such as breast cancer or endometriosis. According to Cancer Research UK researchers, Dr. Ruth C Travis and Dr. Timothy J Key, estrogen exposure is a major determinant of risk for breast cancer. Allergic reactions and other side effects related to blood disorders and pregnancy must also be considered. ^[rx]

OTHER NAME

• Beebread,
• Clovone,
• Cow Clover,
• Daidzein,
• Genistein,
• Isoflavone,
• Meadow Clover,
• Miel des Prés,
• Phytoestrogen,
• Purple Clover,
• Trebol Rojo,
• Trèfle Commun,
• Trèfle des Prés,
• Trèfle Pourpre,
• Trèfle Rouge,
• Trèfle Rougeâtre,
• Trèfle Violet,
• Trefoil,
• Trifolium,
• Trifolium pratense,
• Wild Clover

What is Red and White Clover Tea?

Red clover tea is made from the flowers and leaves of the red clover plant, which is taxonomically known as Trifolium pratense. This herb can be found across Asia, Europe, and North America, and has been widely praised for its medicinal value by indigenous people and natural health practitioners. Many of the health benefits attributed to this herbal tea are due to the presence of isoflavones (estrogen-like compounds) in this plant in addition to vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and magnesium.

White clover is almost ubiquitous in lawns and backyards, but most people don’t know that it’s both edible and medicinal. Red clover is known for having amazing medicinal benefits, but white clover is more readily available and is useful in its own right. One of the most simple and delicious ways to use the sweet-smelling blossoms is to make a white clover iced tea!

Benefits of Red Clover Tea

Drinking red clover tea is highly recommended for people who are suffering from hormonal fluctuation, cold, cough, congestion, weak immunity, osteoporosis, anxiety, stress, depression, anemia, eczema, psoriasis, painful menstruation, high cholesterol, menopausal symptoms and high toxicity, as well as people at high risk of breast and prostate cancer.

• Anticancer Potential – A number of studies have linked the antioxidants and isoflavones found in red clover tea to anti-cancer and anti-mutagenic effects, specifically in the prevention of prostate cancer. However, given that isoflavones resemble estrogen in their effects, these same compounds can make certain cancers worse, or increase the risk of developing them, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer. This dual effect of these potent chemicals means that this tea should be consumed with caution, and only after speaking with a doctor. ^[rx]
• Eases Menstruation – Menopause can be a very stressful time in a woman’s life, as the body changes too much in such a short period of time, and can suffer from hot flashes, headaches, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia and even heart palpitations. Many studies have shown that the isoflavones found in red clover tea can mitigate many of these symptoms and ease the transition. By mimicking the effect of estrogen in the body, these chemicals can also ease the pain of certain menstrual symptoms such as cramps and heavy bleeding. ^[rx]
• Bone health – Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones exhibit low bone mineral density (BMD) and have become weak (rx). As a woman reaches menopause, a decline in reproductive hormones — namely estrogen — can lead to increased bone turnover and a decrease in BMD (rx, rx). Red clover contains isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen — a plant compound that can weakly mimic estrogen in the body. Some research has shown a connection between isoflavone intake and a decrease in osteoporosis risk (rx, rx, rx).

A 2015 study in 60 premenopausal women found that taking 5 ounces (150 mL) of red clover extract containing 37 mg of isoflavones daily for 12 weeks led to less BMD loss in the lumbar spine and neck, compared with the placebo group (rx). Older studies have also shown improvements in BMD after taking red clover extract (, rx).

However, a 2015 study in 147 postmenopausal women found that taking 50 mg of red clover daily for 1 year resulted in no improvements in BMD, compared with the placebo group (rx). Likewise, other studies have failed to find that red clover can help treat BMD (rx, rx). Due to a large number of conflicting studies, more research is needed.

• Menopausal symptoms – Red clover’s high isoflavone content is believed to help lower menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Two review studies found that 40–80 mg of red clover (Promensil) per day may help alleviate hot flashes in women with severe symptoms (5 or more per day) by 30–50%. Still, many studies were funded by supplement companies, which may lead to bias (rx, erx). Another study observed a 73% decrease in hot flashes within 3 months after taking a supplement containing numerous herbs, including red clover. Yet, due to a large number of ingredients, it’s unknown whether red clover played a role in these improvements (rx). Red clover has also shown mild improvements in other menopausal symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and vaginal dryness ( rx, rx, rx).

Yet, numerous studies have shown no improvements in menopausal symptoms after taking red clover, compared with placebo (rx, rx, rx, rx, rx). Currently, there’s no clear evidence that supplementing with red clover will improve menopause symptoms. Higher quality, third-party research is needed (rx).

• Skin Care – The anti-inflammatory property of this tea, in addition to its range of minerals and immune-boosting nutrients, can help eliminate conditions like eczema, psoriasis and other irritated areas of your skin, while also stimulating the growth of new cells. ^[rx]
• Hair Care – Traditional use of this herb often relates to hair loss treatment, and people brew the tea, allow it to cool, and then apply it to their scalp and strands of hair. This can help drive nutrients into the scalp, including antioxidants that can prevent hair loss from the follicles, and promote a healthy shine to the hair. ^[rx]
• Improves Bone Density – One of the biggest risks as people age is the loss of bone mineral density, particularly when women go through menopause. The estrogen-like effects of the active compounds in red clover tea help to strengthen bones, while the rich blend of minerals in the tea protects against osteoporosis. ^[rx]
• Protects Heart Health – Research has shown that red clover tea actively lowers the level of LDL cholesterol in the body, which can often lead to atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes, in addition to cardiovascular disease. This tea also helps reduce strain on the heart thanks to its blood-thinning properties, making blood clots far less likely. ^[rx]
• Boosts Immune System – This tea has a notable amount of vitamin C, which can stimulate the immune system and act as an antioxidant, seeking out free radicals and preventing oxidative stress in tissues and organ systems. This ascorbic acid is also integral to the production of collagen and helps to speed healing and regrowth throughout the body. ^[rx]
• Detoxifies the Body – Red clover tea has mild diuretic properties, meaning that it stimulates urination, which helps to rid the body of excess fats, salts, toxins, and water, relieving the strain and workload in the liver and kidneys. ^[rx]
• Increases Circulation – The blood-thinning properties of this tea make it excellent for circulation, while the calcium content helps to improve iron uptake during digestion. Both of these factors mean more oxygenated blood will reach the body’s extremities, skin, and organ systems, meaning better function, faster repair, and quicker regrowth of healthy new cells. ^[rx]

Other Benefits

• Male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). Early research shows that applying a combination product containing red clover flower extract might increase hair growth in people with hair loss.
• Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Some early research suggests that red clover supplements might improve some symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It seems to reduce nighttime urination.
• High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Most research shows that taking red clover extracts by mouth for 3 months to a year does not reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol or increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol in women who have moderately elevated cholesterol levels.
• Breast pain (mastalgia). There is some early evidence that red clover might help relieve cyclic breast pain and tenderness.
• Most research shows that taking red clover by mouth for up to a year does not reduce symptoms such as hot flashes. But some research shows that taking a specific red clover product (Promensil, Novogen) might reduce how often hot flashes occur. Some research shows that taking red clover might improve vaginal dryness. Other research also shows that red clover might improve psychological symptoms of menopause, such as depression and anxiety. But not all research agrees.
•  Asthma
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
• Breast cancer.
• Swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis).
• Burns.
• Cough.
• Indigestion (dyspepsia).
• Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer).
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis).
• Whooping cough (pertussis).
• Wound healing

Red clover is an herbal supplement used orally for conditions such as menopausal symptoms and hot flashes, mastalgia, premenstrual syndrome, cancer prevention, indigestion, hypercholesterolemia, whooping cough, asthma, bronchitis, and sexually transmitted diseases. Topical use of red clover includes for cancer, skin sores, burns, sore eyes, and chronic skin diseases including eczema.

How to Make Red Clover Tea?

You can easily make this tea at home. Due to the widespread presence of these flowering “weeds”, many people choose to harvest the red clover blossoms in the wild and dry them at home. If you aren’t interested in harvesting them in the wild, you can get these from many herbalists and natural health stores.

To harvest red clover blossoms yourself, pluck off the flowering heads (not all of them from a single plant or patch), and collect them in a basket. It is best to pick them 1-2 weeks after the first bloom. Place them on a drying rack or in a dry, warm, dark, and well-ventilated place for 1-2 weeks. You should turn the blossoms every few days and they should not be touching one another. Once they are completely dry, you are ready to brew your tea!

Anyway, let us go through the step-by-step process of making red clover tea at home.

Side Effects of Red Clover Tea

Red clover tea can have a number of side effects, the most serious of which are due to the high concentration of isoflavones in the tea. These estrogen-like compounds can provide many different benefits, but also increase the risk of certain chronic diseases. Other considerations for pregnant women and those taking various medications should also be noted. ^[rx]

• Hormone-Dependent Disease – A study published in the PLOS- One Journal by a team of Canadian researchers, suggests that the estrogen-like effects of the isoflavones found in red clover can exacerbate conditions like breast cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer. Before adding a powerful herbal remedy like this to your daily or weekly regimen, speak to your doctor or an oncologist. ^[rx]
• Surgery – Red clover tea is able to slow or prevent blood clotting, which is dangerous if you are undergoing surgery, or have a history of bleeding disorders. Also, if you are already taking anticoagulant medications like warfarin, this additional blood-thinning effect can be dangerous if you are injured in some way, and can often lead to easy bruising.
• Pregnancy – Using this tea is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women, due to the phytoestrogen compounds and the effect it can have on uterine contractions and hormonal levels. Young children should also not be given this tea as a natural remedy.
• Birth Control – Some interactions have been reported by those women who take oral contraceptives, so if you are on birth control, speak to your doctor before taking red clover tea a part of your natural health strategy.

Interactions

• Red clover has blood-thinning abilities and can increase the effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Avoid taking it with blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin) and stop taking it at least two weeks prior to surgery. The herb may also interact with birth control pills due to the hormone-like actions of its isoflavones.
• Red clover causes toxic effects when taken with methotrexate,6 a drug used to treat certain types of cancer and to control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis. If you’re considering using red clover, make sure to consult your physician first to avoid problematic drug-herb interactions. Self-treatment should not exceed three to six months without the supervision of a healthcare professional.
• In particular, red clover may interact with oral contraceptives, methotrexate, hormone replacement therapy medications, tamoxifen, blood thinners like aspirin or Plavix, among others (rx, rx).

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with RED CLOVER

• Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Red clover might have some of the same effects as estrogen. But red clover isn’t as strong as the estrogen in birth control pills. Taking red clover along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with red clover, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.
• Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.

Estrogens interact with RED CLOVER

• Large amounts of red clover might have some of the same effects as estrogen. But red clover isn’t as strong as estrogen pills. Taking red clover along with estrogen pills might decrease the effects of estrogen pills.
• Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with RED CLOVER

• Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
• Red clover might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking red clover along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking red clover, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
• Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), haloperidol (Haldol), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, others), and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates) interacts with RED CLOVER

• Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
• Red clover might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking red clover along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking red clover, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
• Some medications that are changed by the liver include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and pantoprazole (Protonix); diazepam (Valium); carisoprodol (Soma); nelfinavir (Viracept); and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with RED CLOVER

• Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
• Red clover might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking red clover along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking red clover, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
• Some medications that are changed by the liver include diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin), meloxicam (Mobic), and piroxicam (Feldene); celecoxib (Celebrex); amitriptyline (Elavil); warfarin (Coumadin); glipizide (Glucotrol); losartan (Cozaar); and others.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with RED CLOVER

• Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
• Red clover might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking red clover along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking red clover, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
• Some medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with RED CLOVER

• Large amounts of red clover might slow blood clotting. Taking red clover along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
• Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) interacts with RED CLOVER

• Some types of cancer are affected by hormones in the body. Estrogen-sensitive cancers are cancers that are affected by estrogen levels in the body. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is used to help treat and prevent these types of cancer. Red clover seems to also affect estrogen levels in the body. By affecting estrogen in the body, red clover might decrease the effectiveness of tamoxifen (Nolvadex). Do not take red clover if you are taking tamoxifen (Nolvadex).
• Despite this, great caution should be used when taking red clover and tamoxifen until there’s more clinical safety data available (rx).
• Due to the wide range of potential drug interactions with red clover and limited data on the subject, always speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements.

The final word

• Red clover has been used traditionally for centuries
• Nowadays, it is commonly used to help ease menopause symptoms, like night sweats and hot flushes
• It is also sometimes used to help improve cholesterol levels and bone density in menopausal women, as well as support menstrual issues and skin/hair health
• Although a lot of research seems positive, more large, high-quality studies are needed to validate any health claims of red clover
• It is generally well-tolerated and there is no reference nutrient intake (RNI) for red clover
• However, some people should avoid red clover, including those who have hormone-sensitive conditions, bleeding disorders, and those taking certain medications, children and pregnant/breastfeeding women
• You should always check with your GP before trying red clover, especially if you have conditions or are taking medication

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References

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