(NaturalNews) Red clover, that versatile flower little girls use to decorate
their hair and string into necklaces, has been shown to be very good for big
girls too. Women have a history of using red clover to alleviate the symptoms of
estrogen insufficiency and help restore hormonal balance. Red clover has long
been a staple of natural healers as one of their evidence based therapies. New
studies are now documenting and quantifying the many benefits of red clover for
women and also for men.
Recent studies show red clover provides a wealth of benefits to women in
hormonal decline
Hormone replacement with synthetic or conjugated estrogen drugs has fallen out
of fashion. These drugs don't really even offer a replacement to estrogen at
all. They offer only an alternative to estrogen. Because these drugs do not
replicate the natural estrogen made in the body, they have a long list of side
effects associated with them. Since they are foreign substances that are not
recognizable by the body, they produce a response from the immune system, taking
the immune system away from the job it was meant to do. They need to be
detoxified in the liver, and they prompt the body to mount resistance to them.
As reported in the November edition of the journal Gynecology Endocrinology,
researchers looking for alternatives to estrogen drugs studied red clover to
determine its effect on the lipid (another word for fat) profile of
postmenopausal women with increased body mass index. Sixty postmenopausal women
aged 40 and older who were not users of hormone therapy were randomly assigned
to one of two groups. Group one took capsules containing 80mg. of red clover
isoflavones daily for a 90 day period. Group two took a placebo. After a seven
day period to allow the isoflavones to clear from the bodies of group one
participants, the groups were switched so that at the end of the study both
groups had taken the isoflavones.
The study results showed that the isoflavone supplementation had a positive
effect on the lipid profile of the women with increased body mass index,
evidenced by significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and
lipoprotein A levels. The researchers concluded that red clover isoflavones are
an attractive therapeutic alternative to hormone drugs.
In the second study, reported in the October issue of the journal Fertility and
Sterility, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of phytoestrogens as
treatment for symptoms of hormonal decline in rabbits with surgically induced
menopause. Twenty-four menopausal rabbits and six non-menopausal rabbits were
divided into three groups. Group one was given a synthetic estrogen drug. Group
two was given diadzein, and group three was given red clover isoflavones. The
fourth group served as a control. Hormone levels, uterine weight, vaginal blood
flow, femoral density, and clitoral structure were assessed. The researchers
found that supplementing with red clover isoflavones leads to significant
improvements in bone density, tissue integrity, and vaginal blood flow with
minimal effect on uterine weight. They concluded that red clover isoflavones is
a viable alternative to conventional treatments using synthetic estrogen drugs.
Red clover is good for what ails men too
A study published earlier this year in Urology assessed the effect of red clover
isoflavone extract on the prostate, liver function, quality of life, and sexual
function in men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein
produced by the cells of the prostate gland that is viewed as a biological tumor
marker. Twenty men were treated with a daily dose of 60 mgs. isoflavone extract
for a period of one year.
Results indicated that the average PSA level was reduced by 33% over the study
period. Sexual hormone levels did not change throughout the study, and sexual
function was not influenced by the treatment. Another positive finding involved
liver health. All three liver enzymes studied showed significant increases.
Red Clover offers nutrients galore
Red clover is a perennial herb that grows wild throughout North America, Europe
and Asia. The red flowers contain the therapeutic isoflavones. In addition to
its phytoestrogens, red clover is a valuable source of calcium, chromium,
magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.
Isoflavones are related to the flavonoid group and retain many of the group's
characteristics. They fight infection, suppress appetite, and are cleansing of
the blood. They have expectorant, antispasmodic, and relaxing affects, and can
be used for inflammatory bowel disease, kidney problems, liver disease, skin
disorders, and weakened immune system.
Red Clover fits into estrogen receptors
The isoflavones from red clover are water soluble compounds with a molecular
structure close to that of estrogen. This structure allows isoflavones to mimic
the actions of estrogen in the body by fitting into estrogen receptors.
Red clover has a history of use for cancer treatment due to its ability to
stimulate the immune system. Other recent research has found evidence that it
may prevent the growth of cancer cells or kill cancer cells in test tubes. It is
often use in alternative cancer treatment for cancer of the breast and other
hormone related cancers. Since it is able to fit into estrogen receptors it can
block some of the action of more potent estrogens that often exist in the body
of women with breast cancer. These more potent estrogens are the result of
hormonal imbalance resulting from the body's continuing production of estrogen
after progesterone and testosterone levels have declined.
Earlier studies have also suggested that red clover isoflavones can slow bone
loss and boost bone mineral density in pre and perimenopausal women.
Red clover may protect against heart disease through its ability to increase HDL
cholesterol in pre and postmenopausal women. One study found that menopausal
women who took red clover supplements had more flexible and stronger arteries.
Red clover may have blood thinning properties that help prevent blood clots.
Sources:
"Red Clover", University of Maryland Medical Center.
H.J. Teede, et al., "Isoflavones Reduce Arterial Stiffness: A Placebo Controlled
Study in Men and Postmenopausal Women", Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and
Vascular Biology, June, 2003.
T. Powles, "Isoflavones and Women's Health", Breast Cancer Research, 2004.
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__________________ "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~
This study which appeared in the December, 2002 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention demonstrates the effectiveness of Red Clover Extract in treating low to moderate grade Prostate Cancer. Just 160 mg given as 4 tablets a day induced significant apoptosis (destruction of cancer cells) with no adverse side effects:
The product used is the readily available Trinovin available at several outlets, including the following two at an excellent discount. At the vitacost.com Links, click on both the Supplement Facts Link and the red star Reviews Link for additional information and to read the Reviews. If the red star Link isn't available, after clicking on the Supplement Facts Link, scroll up to click on the PRODUCT REVIEWS Tab to read the reviews:
It is also available as Promensil in at least two formulations designed specifically for women, including one (the Post-Menopause formulation) which is designed to help in preventing/treating Osteoporosis. Both are also available at substantial discounts. Again, click on the product for additional information:
Someone wrote about the benefits of dandelion leaves not long ago and my first thought was ewwww. Lol But they're really not bad at all. And since I'm not a nutcase about spraying weeds in the lawn with chemicals to get rid of them, there's quite a bit of it.
__________________
The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease
And since I'm not a nutcase about spraying weeds in the lawn with chemicals to get rid of them, there's quite a bit of it.
Hi Cookie! I've only used it in capsule form to help with menopause symptoms and I liked it very much, still have some left but only take it now and then.
I don't use any poisons in my yard because of my furkids, and I have red clover, white clover and of course, dandelions. Haven't gotten into eating anything raw yet, but would definitely consider the possibilities in the future.
Here's a page that shows some uses for red clover.
Red Clover tea is a good tasting tea; I used to drink it all the time. I have
also eaten the flowers in salads.
For anyone wanting to use Dandelion Leaf/greens, the younger the plant the
more tasty it is for use in a salad. The only problem I had in picking/using
dandelion greens was that they wilted quickly and were best picked right before eating - often inconvenient.
Haven't been to Meijer in a long time but they used to sell dandelion greens
in their produce dept. But they were huge leaves and not as tasty/tender.
The larger leaves are quite bitter.
I have also bought dandelion root at my HFStore to use as a tea.
I have been wanting to try red clover with a combo of burdock root for my pimples. Someone told me it helps!
Hi missjade11, Burdock and Red Clover is supposed to be effective for skin problems, if you try it, let us know your results. Also, lemon juice is good for cleansing the facial skin and acne. Dilute with filtered water if necessary.
Red Clover Benefits
Haven't gotten into eating anything raw yet, but would definitely consider the possibilities in the future.
Weeds!
Burdock and Red Clover is supposed to be effective for skin problems, if you try it, let us know your results. Also, lemon juice is good for cleansing the facial skin and acne. Dilute with filtered water if necessary.
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