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Get to Know Herbs & Spices: Nutrient-Rich Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

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Red Clover has a history of medicinal use that crosses continental divides. It is a native plant of the Mediterranean region, central Europe, the Far East, Siberia, and the Himalayas. It was eventually brought to England and America where its use grew from folk remedy to herbal medicine.

 

Red Clover has been used medicinally as a blood cleanser, for balancing estrogen levels, to treat whooping cough, and to soothe skin inflammation such as eczema. It's also used as part of anti-cancer herbal preparations. | KalenaSpire

Medicinal Uses

Red Clover has been used medicinally as a blood cleanser, for balancing estrogen levels, to treat whooping cough, and to soothe skin inflammation such as eczema. It’s also used as part of anti-cancer herbal preparations.

 

Nutrition

The nutrients abundant in Red Clover include the minerals calcium, zinc, chromium, potassium and magnesium, as well as the vitamins A and C, and several B vitamins.
It also contains isoflavones, a plant estrogen. Isoflavones may be helpful for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. However, some studies showed little or no beneficial effects so more thorough clinical trials are needed.

 

Cancer Prevention

Researchers have begun studying the role of isoflavones from Red Clover in cancer prevention and treatment. Preliminary evidence suggests these isoflavones may stop cancer cells from growing or actually kill cancer cells in test tubes. Researchers theorize that Red Clover may help prevent some forms of cancer, such as prostate and endometrial cancer.
If you have a family history or personal history of cancer, please consult your holistic doctor to determine if Red Clover is appropriate for you.

 

Have you tried this herb? Share in the comments below!

Researchers have begun studying the role of isoflavones from Red Clover in cancer prevention and treatment. | KalenaSpire

 

References
  • Jain, P.K., Joshi, H. “Coumarin: Chemical and Pharmacological Profile.” Jnl. Applied Pharmaceutical Sci. (2012) 02:06. pp. 236-240. Accessed on August 4, 2016: http://www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/538_pdf.pdf
  • University of Maryland Medical Center. “Red Clover.”Complementary and Alternative Medicine Database Online. Accessed on August 4, 2016: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/red-clover
  • Baber R.J., Templeman C., et al., “Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of an isoflavone supplement and menopausal symptoms in women.” Climacteric. (1999b) 2(2). pp. 85-92. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/13697139909025571?journalCode=icmt20
  • Duke J.A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; (2000) p.614. Full Text Available: https://archive.org/stream/HandbookOfMedicinalHerbsByJamesA.Duke/HandbookOfMedicinalHerbs_djvu.txt
  • North American Menopause Society (NAMS). “The role of isoflavones in menopausal health: consensus opinion of the North American Menopause Society.” Menopause. (2000) 7(4):215-229. Accessed Aug 4, 2016: https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-document-library/psisoflavones11.pdf?sfvrsn=2
  • Gartoulla P., Han M.M. “Red clover extract for alleviating hot flushes in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis.” Maturitas. (2014) 79(1):58-64. Accessed on Aug 4, 2016: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25074017
  • Mannella P., Tosi V., Russo E., et al. “Effects of red clover extracts on breast cancer cell migration and invasion.” Gynecol endocrinol. (2012) 28(1). pp. 29-33. DOI:10.3109/09513590.2011.579660. Accessed on Aug 4, 2016: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09513590.2011.579660?journalCode=igye20
  • Powles TJ, Howell A, Evans DG, et al., “Red clover isoflavones are safe and well tolerated in women with a family history of breast cancer.” Menopause Int. (2008) Mar. 14(1) pp.6-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081968 Accessed on Aug 4, 2016.
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Alexandria Z., M.S.

Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.

 

Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”
2015-07-27T17:47:59-04:00
Christine is my wellness goddess. Her amazing support, extraordinary expertise, and undeniable compassion invited me to a world of freedom from digestive discomfort that I didn’t know was possible. The whirlwind of bloating, constipation, brain fog, and digestive upheaval was consuming my life. Exhaustion and frustration were becoming my very existence. And then I met my health goddess! Christine’s astute listening and meticulously tailored guidance, transformed my thinking and whirlwind of digestive discomfort. She helped me achieve a state of equilibrium. The balance I now experience is the center of my wellness existence—the core of my life with digestive happiness.   Christine instilled in me the power to embrace the grace and strength of my very own body! She has taught me to internalize the boundless evidence of my body’s functionality to heal digestively. While working with Christine, my exhaustion, pain, and bloating were overshadowed with energy, digestive comfort, glowing skin, and knowledge. Her coaching raised my awareness of food sensitivities, and promoted better food choices, which led to better sleep, a stronger link to overall wellness, clarity in my thinking, and ultimately, more joy in my life.  Christine’s remarkable spirit of wellness will forever echo in my digestive wellness journey. I bestow upon Christine the well-deserved exceptional title, “my wellness goddess.”