Should We be Taking Red Clover?
It’s one of many herbals we can harvest for free, but should we be taking it or not?
As I child I would pull the little bits of pinkish lavendar from the clover head and eat them. They felt like silk. They were sweet. I was taught the honey bee would use clover to make honey. Perhaps it was only the power of suggestion but there was a lingering sweet taste in my mouth which would put me in the mind of honey. Little did I know but this plant, known as red clover has been used for hundreds of years in preventative medicine.
As a Tobacco Free Chew
Dr. Duke, in the Green Pharmacy tells of getting a call from an entrepreneur who wanted to market a tobacco-free chewing product consisting of red clover. Because red clover contains a compound known to work against the angiogenesis process, it is thought to help in stopping the spread of tumors. This compound found in Red clover is called genistein. By replacing chewing tobacco with this tobacco free product Dr. Duke’s associate was not only assisting the consumer with quitting the “habit” but fighting cancers that may have been forming.
Estrogen Therapy
Dr. Duke gives us the good and bad on the Red clover as an estrogen replacement for women in that it improves the estrogen levels, but has been found to increase the levels so much that cattle while grazing on Red clover have been known to miscarry their calves. He also stated that it has been found to aid in menstrual cramps and does not believe human consumption to be anywhere near that of cattle so states the risks of infertility found in cattle should not be cause of alarm for humans.
Red Clover: A Source of Isoflavones
At herbwisdom.com I found information indicating that red clover or Trifolium pratense is one of our richest sources of isoflavones. Isoflavones are “water-soluble chemicals like estrogens and are found in many plants.”
Other Names
Some other names red clover is known as are Bee-bread, Cow Clover, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Red Clover, Trefoil, and Wild Clover.
Among Its Many Uses…
- Hot flashes/flushes,
- PMS,
- Lowers cholesterol,
- Helps prevent osteoporosis,
- Reduces possibility of forming blood clots and arterial plaques,
- May limit development of benign prostate hyperplasia.
- Breast enhancement and breast health.
- Improve urine production
- Circulation of the blood and secretion of bile.
- Acts as a sedative and tonic.
- Loosens phlegm
- Calms bronchial spasms
- Assists in preventing heart disease
- Helps with smoking cessation
- Used as an antispasmodic and alterative.
Liked it
CHAN LEE PENG | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
They’re many health benefits of red clover, so one is encouraged to take appropriate amount of red clovers for the sake of health.
As stated herein, red clove shouldn’t be mixed with birth-control or to be used by allergic persons. Really great info here.
Thanks a lot, sister for your effort to bring us this useful article. Take care. Have my liked it, of course.
Christine Ramsay | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
An interesting article. I had no idea there were so many benefits to red clover.
Christine
Angela DiAngelo | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Well written article. Research appears sound. Red Clover is an interesting herb. I enjoyed learning. Thank you.
Melody SJAL | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Very well-researched and nicely presented. Great job, Judy.
Judy Sheldon | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Chan, Christine, Angela & Melody, your comments mean a lot to me.
Take care & God bless.
BC Doan | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Great and informative article! I still have lots of red clovers around the yard…Maybe I should harvest them, Judy!
Jenny Heart | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Well written material. I want to find out more. like it!
Hazel Crowther | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting thank you.
lindalulu | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Great article with some awesome info!
papaleng | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Ah! I’ve learned a lot of things from your well-researched article. thanks Judy for sharing.
Patrick Regoniel | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Such a useful article. Thanks Judy.;-)
Judy Sheldon | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Icy, Mrs. Heart, Hazel, Lindalulu, Papaleng, & Patrick,
If any of my research helps anyone, that would be wonderful.
Icy, are you inviting me over for clover tea? My clover has all dried up.
Take care & God bless.
Goodselfme | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
Such a great educational list of plus things about red clover.Very nicely presented and composed for easy reading.TX Nice work, my friend.
jhenz | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
very informative and educational. great piece, judy!
keep it up.
Joie Schmidt | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Interesting work.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Louie Jerome | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Never seen this, but it sounds interesting. I think the regulations on herbal products are different in England so I’m not sure we have these.
CA Johnson | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
I have never seen a red clover before but it’s great to know that there are so many wonderful benefits of it. Thank you for the information, Judy. I enjoyed reading your article.
valli | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
An educational and useful piece.
Judy Sheldon | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Roberta (Goodselfme), jhenz, Liane, Louie, CA, & Valli, thanks everyone for reading and commenting.
Take care & God bless.
Ruby Hawk | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Judy, I have heard of all the good things red clover can do but have never tried it. I just might pick and dry some next spring. It is beautiful growing along the roads and in fields.
Judy Sheldon | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Ruby, I’m not worried about becoming infertile (lol) so I may begin taking it again.
Take care & God bless.
Lex92 | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
maybe we should be eating red clover! wow!
Judy Sheldon | Aug 10, 2009 | Reply
Alexa, sounds like it, huh?
Take care & God bless!
Chris Stonecipher | Aug 14, 2009 | Reply
Judy,
This is a well written article. I love to learn about alternative health tips.
Blessings,
Chris
Judy Sheldon | Aug 14, 2009 | Reply
Chris, so do I and there is so much to learn!!
Take care & God bless!
Joshua Miguel | Sep 2, 2009 | Reply
Judy, this is a very interesting article. I will post this article in my website. thanks and more power.