Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
This monograph compiles 4 pharmacological actions, 9 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 13 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from expectorant action
more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →inferred from expectorant action
more plants for cough →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from antispasmodic action
more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →inferred from expectorant action
more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally safe in normal dietary amounts. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens — exercise caution in oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer patients or those taking hormone therapies. May interact with warfarin (antiplatelet activity). Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Well tolerated in most adults.
Duke (2002) rates red clover as +++ and provides clinical evidence (score 2) for estrogenic activity — the plant is one of the richest plant sources of isoflavones (formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, genistein). Clinical applications include menopausal symptom relief, osteoporosis prevention, and cardiovascular protection in peri-menopausal women. Dose: standardized extract providing 40–160 mg isoflavones daily. Duke cautions that due to strong estrogenic activity, red clover is not recommended in estrogen-dependent cancers (breast, uterine) or alongside hormone replacement therapy without medical supervision. Anti-coagulant coumarins are also present (Duke, 2002).
References
REF-1104, REF-1105, REF-1106, REF-1107, REF-1108, REF-1109, REF-1110, REF-1111, REF-1112, REF-1113References & Sources
- Kanadys, W., Baranska, A., Blaszczuk, A., Polz-Dacewicz, M. and others (2021) 'Evaluation of Clinical Meaningfulness of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Extract to Relieve Hot Flushes and Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials', Nutrients, 13(4), pp. 1258. doi:10.3390/nu13041258 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041258 - Kanadys, W., Baranska, A., Jedrych, M., Religioni, U. and others (2019) 'Effects of red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavones on the lipid profile of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women-A systematic review and meta-analysis', Maturitas, 132, pp. 7-16. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.11.001 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.11.001 - Yokoyama, S.I., Kodera, M., Hirai, A., Nakada, M. and others (2020) 'Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Sprout Prevents Metabolic Syndrome', Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 66(1), pp. 48-53. doi:10.3177/jnsv.66.48 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.66.48 - Gosciniak, A., Szulc, P., Zielewicz, W., Walkowiak, J. and others (2023) 'Multidirectional Effects of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in Support of Menopause Therapy', Molecules, 28(13), pp. 5178. doi:10.3390/molecules28135178 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28135178 - Booth, N.L., Piersen, C.E., Banuvar, S., Geller, S.E. and others (2006) 'Clinical studies of red clover (Trifolium pratense) dietary supplements in menopause: a literature review', Menopause, 13(2), pp. 251-264. doi:10.1097/01.gme.0000198297.40269.f7 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.gme.0000198297.40269.f7 - Oza, M.J. and Kulkarni, Y.A (2020) 'Trifolium pratense (Red Clover) Improves SIRT1 Expression and Glycogen Content in High Fat Diet-Streptozotocin Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Rats', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 17(4), pp. e2000019. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202000019 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202000019 - Circosta, C., De Pasquale, R., Palumbo, D.R., Samperi, S. and others (2006) 'Effects of isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pratense) on skin changes induced by ovariectomy in rats', Phytotherapy Research, 20(12), pp. 1096-1099. doi:10.1002/ptr.2017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2017 - Brandli, A., Simpson, J.S. and Ventura, S (2010) 'Isoflavones isolated from red clover (Trifolium pratense) inhibit smooth muscle contraction of the isolated rat prostate gland', Phytomedicine, 17(11), pp. 895-901. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.05.006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.05.006 - Burdette, J.E., Liu, J., Lantvit, D., Lim, E. and others (2002) 'Trifolium pratense (red clover) exhibits estrogenic effects in vivo in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats', The Journal of Nutrition, 132(1), pp. 27-30. doi:10.1093/jn/132.1.27 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/132.1.27 - Jiang, Y.B. and Yang, Y.R (2016) 'Trifolium pratense isoflavones improve pulmonary vascular remodelling in broiler chickens', Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 100(6), pp. 1159-1168. doi:10.1111/jpn.12424 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12424 - Atkinson, C. et al (2004) 'The effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial', 79(2), pp. 326--333. Randomized trial
Find this source - British Herbal Medicine Association (1996) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
Find this source
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