Red clover is a legume in the pea family often used for hay and as a nitrogen-fixing crop. This three-leaf clover is thought to be the model for the suit of clubs in playing cards, and perhaps for the Irish shamrock. The dried reddish flowers are used medicinally.
Uses and Benefits:
Red clover has gained widespread popularity as a phytoestrogen, along with other isoflavone-containing legumes such as soybeans. It is commonly used as a natural "estrogensubstitute" for menopausal symptoms and for the prevention of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in women. It is also being marketed for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate health in men. Traditionally, red clover has been used for dermatologic disorders such as eczema and psoriasis, for venereal disease, and as an expectorant, antispasmodic, and sedative. Many supporters believe that red clover has anti-cancer properties, and this herb was included in the Hoxsey anti-cancer formula in the 1940s, which is still used in some alternative cancer clinics.
