Red clover originated in southeast Europe and was introduced into America during the 17th century. It was used in Chinese traditional medicine and western folk medicine for similar purposes. It has been traditionally used as an antispasmodic, an expectorant, and a sedative for asthma, bronchitis and respiratory spasms. It is also used as blood purifier.

Function:

Red clover contains high amounts of isoflavones, such as daidzin, daidzein, genistin, and genistein, which has estrogenic properties. Double-blind studies found that menopausal women had improved health by using it, and it is also used as an antispasmodic, an expectorant, a sedative and a tonic. Red Clover has also shown anticancer activity.

1、Menopause Syndrome

Red clover contains phytoestrogens, hormone-like substances found in some plants, including soy. Double-blind studies indicate that Red Clover Extract has significant effectiveness for treating menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, emotional disturbances, osteoporosis and decreased sexual activity.

2、Cardiovascular Health

Menopause increases a woman's risk of 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. 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.

3、Osteoporosis

Menopause increases a woman's risk for developing osteoporosis (significant bone loss). Some studies suggest that red clover isoflavones may slow bone loss and even boost bone mineral density in pre- and perimenopausal women.

4、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.

5、Remedies For Alterative, expectorant, anti-spasmodic, mild stimulant, depuative, detergent.

Red Clover is one of the most useful remedies for children with skin problems. It may be used with complete safety in any case of childhood eczema. It is also useful for the treatment of other chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis. The expectorant and anti-spasmodic action give this remedy a role in the treatment of coughs and bronchitis, especially in whooping cough. it also can be used for treating cancerous growths, leprosy and pellagra in combination with blue violet, burdock, yellow dock, dandelion root, rock rose, and goldenseal. Used alone it is believed to be good for cancer of the stomach, whooping cough, and for various spasms.

Safety:

Red clover is on the FDA's GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list, and is included in many beverage teas. Concentrated extracts of red clover may possess dangers not present in beverage teas made from the raw herb. Because of their estrogen-like and blood-thinning constituents, red clover extracts should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, or women who have had breast or uterine cancer.Based on their constituents, red clover extracts may conceivably interfere with hormone treatments and anticoagulant drugs.

Dosage :

150mg-200mg of red clover isoflavones are recommended 3-4 times daily for menopausal syndrome. 50-100 mg of red clover isoflavones 1-2 times daily are proper as balance dosage for cancer prevention and cardiovascular health. 

Clinical study:

A new study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows that Promensil, a natural isoflavone-based dietary supplement derived from red clover helps women maintain estrogen levels and cardiovascular health during menopause. Previous open product trials have already shown that the dietary supplement is effective in reducing hot flashes, a common occurrence during this change of life. During menopause, when women's estrogen levels decrease, blood vessels become rigid and less able to respond to changes in blood pressure. This can lead to a decline in cardiovascular health. Of the menopausal women in the study, the participants taking Promensil were noted to have arterial compliance, or large blood vessel elasticity, similar to that of pre-menopausal women. No side effects were reported. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab Vol. 84, No. 3: 895-898, 1999)  "This discovery represents a significant breakthrough in women's health," explained Paul Nestel, MD, the lead investigator in the study. "The use of a red clover supplement of isoflavones offers a new approach to maintaining the cardiovascular health of menopausal women."

Chemistry:

This product is composed of Isoflavones, such as Biochanin A,Sissoirin , Fomononetin, Ononin , Genistein, Daidzein and Pratensein. Structural formulas are followed:

References:

1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 177–8.

2. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 177–8.

3. 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;84:895–8.

4. Yanagihara K, Toge T, Numoto M, et al. Antiproliferative effects of isoflavones on human cancer cell lines established from the gastrointestinal tract. Cancer Res 1993;53:5815–21.

5. Stephens FO. Phytoestrogens and prostate cancer. Possible preventive role. Med J Australia 1997;167:138–40.

6. Foster S. Herbs for Your Health. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1996, 76–7.

7. 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;84:895–8.