What are the benefits of drinking red clover tea?
Red Clover Tea is a delicious beverage that has many potential health benefits. Some of the benefits that have been studied and proven. These include relief from menopausal symptoms, improved heart health, cancer prevention, and better blood sugar control. One of the concerns that people may have about using red clover is its potential influence on body weight. A 2005 Journal of Gynecological Endocrinology study found no significant effect on body mass index or weight changes in postmenopausal women taking red clover extracts.Dosage: How Much Red Clover Should I Take? In studies of individuals in menopause, dosage of red clover supplements was typically 40 to 80 mg daily. While there are studies with red clover in humans, larger and well-designed studies are still necessary.Generally Red Clover is considered safe, and most trials noted no serious side effects, at least in people taking it for up to a year. However some people may experience a headache, nausea or a rash3. If in doubt, speak to a healthcare provider.
Can I drink red clover tea every day?
Red clover products contain chemicals called isoflavones. It is possibly safe to take red clover in doses that provide up to 80 mg of isoflavones daily for up to 2 years. It’s usually well-tolerated, but might cause muscle aches, nausea, and vaginal bleeding (spotting) in some people. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the benefits of using black cohosh extract or a combination of black cohosh extract and St. John’s wort outweigh the risks, so that their use is recommended for the treatment of menopausal symptoms [23], including in patients with hormone-dependent disorders [26,27].There is evidence for a statistical and clinically significant benefit for using a specific standardised extract of red clover isoflavones (Promensil) at 80 mg/day for treating hot flushes in menopausal women across the 3 studies included in the meta-analysis.Red clover extract: Red clover (Trifolium pratense ) is commonly taken to relieve menopausal symptoms. A lab study showed that irilone, a progesterone-like compound found in red clover, improved progesterone signaling, potentially improving conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis.Black cohosh: People use this Native American herbal remedy to treat menopause symptoms associated with low estrogen. One small study shows it to be especially effective in treating hot flashes.
Who should not drink red clover tea?
Patients with hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid red clover because it has estrogenic activity (21). Red clover may increase effects of anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (20). Red clover was associated with toxic effects when used by a patient receiving methotrexate injections for severe psoriasis (19). Red clover contains isoflavones that are changed in the body to phytoestrogens which are plant-based compounds similar to estrogen. They are capable of binding to estrogen receptors which may increase estrogen levels and possibly increase risk of breast cancer in women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer.Cardiovascular health One study found that menopausal women taking red clover supplements had stronger, more flexible arteries (called arterial compliance), which can help prevent heart disease. Red clover may also have blood-thinning properties, which keeps blood clots from forming. It appears to improve blood flow.Clover Medicinal Uses These polyphenols and flavonoids have been linked to numerous health benefits, including improved heart health and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. The white clover fusion, in particular, can help boost the immune system and treat a variety of illnesses such as colds, fevers, and coughs.There is some evidence that red clover isoflavones may help increase bone mineral density, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and treat heart-related issues, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure levels.Red clover might act like estrogen, which could affect hormone balances during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Don’t use it. Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Red clover might act like estrogen.
How many cups of red clover tea should I drink?
Three cups (750 ml) can be drunk each day. Red clover can also be used in capsule or tablet form, equivalent to 2 to 4 grams of the dried flowers. Also, 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon (2 to 4 ml) of tincture three times per day may be taken. Standardized extracts providing 40 mg isoflavones per day are available as well. Red clover can be infused in hot water to make a delicious herbal tea. To make, pour hot water over 1-3 teaspoons of red clover, and let steep for 10-15 minutes. This tea has a natural light sweetness to it, but you can add honey if desired.Red clover tea is a popular way to consume the herb, and it can be made by steeping the dried flowers and leaves in hot water for several minutes. Red clover tincture and extract are more concentrated forms of the herb and are typically taken in small doses.
How long does it take for red clover tea to work?
A meta-analysis of studies in postmenopausal women taking red clover for 4-12 months improved their heart health. This was due to a significant increase in the ‘good’ cholesterol HDL and a decrease in total and ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL) levels. In Iraq, red clover is used as an expectorant and to treat asthma and bronchitis. In the US, it’s grown for soil health and used to treat cancer, the skin, and sores. It’s also used to fight cancer in the UK, Spain, Australia and elsewhere. In Spain, it is used for catarrh (mucous backup in the throat).