Herb Of The Week - Red Clover - Monograph

[Guest guest]

A Red Clover monograph from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical

Center

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

Orsa Pink Salt - All Grinds - On Special

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

http://www.besthealth.com/Integrated%20Medicine/ConsHerbs/RedCloverch

 

 

Red Clover

 

 

Botanical Name: Trifolium pratense

Common Names: Beebread, Cow Clover, Cow Grass, Meadow Clover, Purple

Clover

 

 

Overview

 

 

Red clover, a wild plant used as grazing food for cattle and other

livestock, has also been used medicinally to treat a wide array of

conditions. These have included cancer, mastitis (inflammation of the

breast), joint disorders, jaundice, bronchitis, spasmodic coughing,

asthma, and skin inflammations, such as psoriasis and eczema. Red clover

is thought to " purify " the blood by promoting urine and mucous

production, improving circulation, and stimulating the secretion of

bile. Recently, specific chemicals in red clover -- known as isoflavones

-- have been isolated and tested for their effectiveness in treating a

variety of conditions. Although isolated isoflavone products are very

different from the whole herb, they have shown promise in the treatment

of a number of conditions associated with menopause, such as hot

flashes, cardiovascular health, and the bone loss associated with

osteoporosis.

 

 

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Plant Description

 

 

Red clover is a perennial herb that commonly grows wild in meadows

throughout Europe and Asia, and has now been naturalized to grow in

North America. The red flowers at the end of the branched stems are

considered to be the source of its medicinal properties and are usually

dried for therapeutic use.

 

 

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Medicinal Uses and Indications

 

 

Red clover is a source of many valuable nutrients including calcium,

chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and

vitamin C. Red clover is also considered to be one of the richest

sources of isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens

and are found in many plants).

 

 

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Treatment

 

 

Cardiovascular Health

 

Menopause increases a woman's risk for developing cardiovascular

disease. Supplementation with red clover isoflavones has been associated

with a sizeable increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol,

or " good " cholesterol in pre- and postmenopausal women, leading some

researchers to believe that these isoflavones may help protect against

cardiovascular disease. Other studies, however, have refuted this

finding. Interestingly, one recent study found that menopausal women

taking red clover supplements experienced a significant improvement in

arterial compliance (a measure of the strength and resilience of the

arterial walls). Arterial compliance diminishes during menopause and may

increase a woman's risk for heart disease.

 

Menopause

 

While not all studies are thoroughly convincing, several studies of a

proprietary extract of red clover isoflavones suggest that it may

significantly reduce hot flashes in menopausal women.

 

Osteoporosis

 

Menopause increases a woman's risk for developing osteoporosis

(significant bone loss). Some studies suggest that a proprietary extract

of red clover isoflavones may slow bone loss and even boost bone mineral

density in pre- and perimenopausal women.

 

Cancer

 

The isoflavones isolated from red clover have been studied for their

effectiveness in treating some forms of cancer. It is thought that the

isoflavones prevent the proliferation of cancer cells and that they may

even destroy cancer cells. Laboratory and animal studies have found that

red clover isoflavones may protect against the growth of breast cancer

cells. This is surprising because estrogens (and isoflavones have

estrogenic properties) have generally been thought to stimulate the

growth of breast cancer in women. Until further research has been

conducted and more information is available, the use of red clover

isoflavones or other red clover products should probably be avoided in

women with a history of breast cancer.

 

Other Uses

 

Traditionally, red clover ointments have been applied to the skin to

treat conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and other rashes. Red clover

also has a history of use as a cough remedy for children.

 

 

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Dosage and Administration

 

 

Red clover is available in a variety of preparations, including teas,

tinctures, tablets, capsules, liquid extract, and extracts standardized

to specific isoflavone contents. It can also be prepared as an ointment

for topical application.

 

 

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Pediatric

 

 

Red clover has a history of short-term use as a cough remedy for

children. Isolated red clover isoflavone products are very different

than the whole herb, however, and are not recommended for children.

 

 

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Adult

 

 

Although dosage and administration will vary from individual to

individual, general guidelines are as follows:

 

* Dried herb (used for tea): 1 to 2 tsp dried flowers or flowering

tops steeped in 8 oz hot water for 1/2 hour; take 2 to 3 cups daily

 

* Powdered herb (available in capsules): 2 to 6 capsules (500 mg

each) per day

 

* Tincture (1:5, 30% alcohol): 60 to 100 drops (3 to 5 mL) three

times per day; may add to hot water as a tea

 

* Fluid Extract (1:1): 1 mL three times per day; may add to hot

water as a tea

 

* Standardized red clover isoflavone extracts: directions on

product labels should be carefully followed

 

* Topical treatment (such as for psoriasis or eczema): an

infusion, liquid extract, or ointment containing 10 to 15% flowerheads

 

As mentioned above, isolated red clover isoflavones have shown promise

in the treatment of a variety of conditions. It is important to

remember, however, that extracts of red clover isoflavones are very

different from the whole herb -- in fact, they represent only a small

portion of the entire herb in a highly concentrated form.

 

 

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Precautions

 

 

Side Effects

 

 

No serious adverse side effects from red clover have been reported in

humans. However, infertility has been noted in grazing animals that

consume large amounts of red clover.

 

 

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Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

 

 

The use of red clover is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding

women.

 

 

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Interactions and Depletions

 

 

Because of the estrogen-like properties in red clover isoflavones, women

with a history of breast cancer should avoid red clover (some studies

suggest that synthetic and/or natural estrogens may increase the risk of

breast cancer). Red clover isoflavones should be used with caution, if

at all, by people receiving hormone therapy (including birth control

pills) containing estrogen, progesterone, androgen or any derivatives of

these hormones. Because of the increased risk of bleeding associated

with red clover, individuals taking blood-thinning medications (such as

warfarin or aspirin) or blood-thinning herbs and supplements (such as

ginkgo, ginger, garlic, and vitamin E) should avoid red clover.

 

 

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Supporting Research

 

 

Adlercreutz H, Bannwart C, Wahala K, et al. Inhibition of human

aromatase by mammalian lignans and isoflavonoid phytoestrogens. J

Steroid Biochem Molec Biol. 1993;44(2):147-153.

 

Baber R, Bligh PC, Fulcher G, Lieberman D, Nery L, Moreton T. The effect

of an Isoflavone dietary supplement (P-081) on serum lipids, forearm

bone density & endometrial thickness in post menopausal women

[abstract]. Menopause. 1999a;6:326.

 

Baber RJ, Templeman C, Morton T, Kelly GE, West L. Randomized,

placebo-controlled trial of an isoflavone supplement and menopausal

symptoms in women. Climacteric. 1999b;2(2):85-92.

 

Bradley PR, ed. Red clover flower. In: British Herbal Compendium. Vol 1.

Bournemouth, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association; 1992:183-184.

 

Cassady JM, Zennie TM, Young-Heum C, Ferin MA, Portuondo NE, Baird WM.

Use of a mammalian cell culture benzo(a)pyrene metabolism assay for the

detection of potential anticarcinogens from natural products: Inhibition

of metabolism by biochanin A, anisoflavone from Trifolium pratense L.

Cancer Res. 1988;48:6257-6261.

 

DerMarderosian A, Burnham TH, Short RM, et al, eds. Red clover

monograph, a monograph in the series The Review of Natural Products. St.

Louis, Mo: Facts and Comparisons; 2000.

 

Duke JA. Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs and Other

Economic Plants. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press; 1992:603-605.

 

Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press,

Inc.; 1985:488-489.

 

Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative

therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2000;57(13):1221-1227.

 

Hoffman D. The New Holistic Herbal. Boston, Mass: Element Books Limited;

1990:227.

 

Howes JB, Sullivan D, Lai N. The effects of dietary supplementation with

isoflavones from red clover on the lipoprotein profiles of

postmenopausal women with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Atherosclerosis. 2000;152(1):143-147.

 

Husband A. Red clover isoflavone supplements: safety and

pharmacokinetics. Journal of the British Menopause Society.

2001;Supplement S1:4-7.

 

Jeri AR. The effect of isoflavones phytoestrogens in relieving hot

flushes in Peruvian postmenopausal women. Paper presented at: 9th

International Menopause Society World Congress on the Menopause; October

20, 1999; Yokahama, Japan.

 

Kuhn MA, Winston D. Herbal Therapy and Supplements. Philadelphia, Pa:

Lippincott; 2001:273-277.

 

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A. Botanical Safety Handbook.

Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press LLC; 1997: 117.

 

Nachtigall LE. Isoflavones in the management of menopause. Journal of

the British Menopause Society. 2001;Supplement S1:8-12.

 

Nestel PJ, Pomeroy S, Kay S, et al. Isoflavones from red clover improve

systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal women.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84(3):895-898.

 

New promensil study - cholesterol benefit. 2000a (October 31). Novogen

news and announcements page. Novogen website. Available at:

http://www.novogen.com <http://www.novogen.com/> . Accessed March 29,

2001.

 

Novogen anti-cancer drug enters phase I trials. 2000b (June 23). Novogen

news and announcements page. Novogen website. Available at:

http://www.novogen.com <http://www.novogen.com/> . Accessed March 29,

2001.

 

Novogen anti-cancer drug trials advance. 2000c (August 21). Novogen news

and announcements page. Novogen website. Available at:

http://www.novogen.com <http://www.novogen.com/> . Accessed March 29,

2001.

 

Managing menopause naturally. Promensil clinical monograph. 1999.

Novogen website. Available at: http://www.novogen.com

<http://www.novogen.com/> . Accessed April 11, 2001.

 

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.

 

Pedersen M. Nutritional Herbology A Reference Guide to Herbs. Warsaw,

Ind: Wendell W. Whitman Company; 1994;144-145.

 

Stephens FO. Phytoestrogens and prostate cancer: possible preventive

role. MJA. 1997;167:138-140.

 

Woodside JV, Campbell MJ. Isoflavones and breast cancer. Journal of the

British Menopause Society. 2001;Supplement S1:17-21.

 

Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of

foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998;217(3):369-378.

 

 

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Review June 2001

 

Reviewed By: Participants in the review process include: Jacqueline A.

Hart, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Newton-Wellesley Hospital,

Harvard University and Senior Medical Editor Integrative Medicine,

Boston, MA; R. Lynn Shumake, PD, Director, Alternative Medicine

Apothecary, Blue Mountain Apothecary & Healing Arts, University of

Maryland Medical Center, Glenwood, MD; David Winston, Herbalist,

Herbalist and Alchemist, Inc., Washington, NJ.

 

Copyright: <http://www1.wfubmc.edu/school/> Wake Forest University

School of Medicine and <http://www1.wfubmc.edu/> North Carolina Baptist

Hospital. All rights reserved

 

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and

SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical

advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified

healthcare provider. If you have a medical problem or a health-related

question, consult your physician

 

This article is shared for non commercial educational purposes only

following Fair Use Guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thank you Chris !!!!!!!!!!! Just loved this one. Did I miss one yesterday ? I

hope not !

Huggs,

Jenn

-

Christine Ziegler

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 5:23 PM

Herb Of The Week - Red Clover - Monograph

 

 

[Guest guest]

>

> Thank you Chris !!!!!!!!!!! Just loved this one. Did I miss one

yesterday ? I hope not !

> Huggs,

> Jenn

 

 

 

 

Hi Jenn,

 

Didn't miss out, this was the first one I got to post

 

*Smile*

Chris

 

Orsa Pink " Real " Salt Special

http://www.alittleolfactory.com <http://www.alittleolfactory.com/>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Whew, that was close, lol.

Thank you Chris

Jenn

-

Christine Ziegler

Tuesday, March 22, 2005 6:57 PM

RE: Herb Of The Week - Red Clover - Monograph