Red Clover And Menopause

Many women are looking for natural remedies for menopause, and red clover is one of the safe and effective herbal remedies. It has long been used in traditional medicine and has been shown to help with hot flashes, insomnia, irritability and night sweats.

The news about hormone replacement therapy has motivated women everywhere to find alternative treatments for these symptoms of menopause. You know there must be a way to find natural menopause relief, but you want to be safe and not experience any side effects. Red clover is certainly one of the best herbal remedies available today.

What about scientific studies?
Red clover is the subject of current study in scientific circles and the preliminary results look very promising. Of course, this comes as no surprise to natural healers and herbalists. Nevertheless, it is always encouraging when science and traditional healing agree.

Red clover is rich in bio-active compounds, which are considered to help in menopause. Some of the chemicals in the plant bind with estrogen in the tissues and produce a subtle physiological action. Soy and kudzu, which are cousins to red clover, work in a similar manner by regulating responses in the bodies cells to help balance hormones. This explains why red clover is effective: it helps balance hormones, and menopause symptoms are caused by an imbalance.

Does it have side effects?
The good news is that no scientific study has demonstrated any negative side effects from using red clover. Of course, common sense always is in order, and you should talk with a herbalist or naturopath if you have any uncertainties or questions.

What is the right amount to take?
Should you decide to use red clover as a stand alone supplement, you should look for capsules containing extracts of organically grown clover, and it should include at least 40 mg isoflavones or 8% isoflavonoids per capsule. Usually the leaves are mixed with the flowers to maintain a balanced formula that is most effective in treating menopause symptoms.

How long have women used red clover?
There is evidence of women using red clover in teas, tinctures, infusions, and extracts from ancient times, but nobody really knows just how far back it's use goes. Certainly, any plant that gives safe menopause relief and endures for thousands of years should be investigated.

Red clover is also commonly used to treat sore throats, ulcers, bronchitis,sores and eczema for centuries.

Randy Hough and Laura Simon, MSW,MEd,have worked together to create a family stress blog and a safe menopause relief web site. They live and work in the beautiful Upper Valley of Vermont.