Red clover is a perennial, three-leaved, flowering herb that has been cultivated and used for centuries as a remedy. It bears reddish-purple blooms that are brewed into an herbal tea, which is the most common and effective form in which this herb is consumed as a remedy.
Menopause
A number of scientific studies affirm red clover's capacity to relieve the severity and frequency of menopausal symptoms. One such study was conducted by Vrije University Medical Center, Amsterdam (see Resources). This clinical study found that red clover reduced the frequency of hot flushes experienced by postmenopausal women by more than 15 percent.
Estrogenic Effect
According to research conducted by author Joanna E. Burdette, (see Resources), red clover tea is such an effective remedy for menopausal symptoms thanks to powerful, active compounds called isoflavones. The isoflavones in red clover tea have been proven to exert an estrogenic effect in the body, which helps alleviate the symptoms of menopause, which include hot flushes, insomnia and night sweats
Clinical Study
Clinical studies such as the one conducted by Burdette attribute the effect of red clover isoflavones to their ability to mimic the effect of estrogen in the body. It is this property that makes red clover tea an effective remedy for menopausal symptoms. It also makes red clover tea a natural, herbal alternative to estrogen hormone therapy, without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.
Mechanism of Action
During menopause and post-menopause, the levels of estrogen drop, causing the body's opioid system to trigger the symptoms associated with menopause. Opiate receptors are responsible for regulating hormonal levels, body temperature and mood, and red clover has been found to have a beneficial effect on these receptors, which alleviates .
Anticoagulant
Red Clover has a blood-thinning effect. This is as a result of active compounds in the herb called coumarins. Coumarins are natural anticoagulants that help thin blood and improve blood flow. This in turn contributes to stronger, more flexible arteries, helping to minimize the risk of heart attacks and strokes. On the other hand, the anticoagulant effect of red clover tea may be harmful to people who have certain heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation, pericarditis or malignant hypertension, and they should only take red clover tea with a doctor's advice.
Tags: menopausal symptoms, active compounds, effect clover, effective remedy, effective remedy menopausal
