The Effects of Red Clover Supplement

Red clover grows wild in Europe, Asia and Africa, but has been naturalized in the US and many other countries. Utilized as a forage crop for livestock, it also has health benefits for the soil, for animal and for humans. According to "Growing and Using the Healing Herbs," farmers find this perennial plant valuable in soil enrichment and in encouraging the growth of healthy microorganisms and earthworms.

Cleansing Effects

• Herbalists have used red clover blossoms to make a spring tonic that purifies and thins the blood. The blossoms are reputed to have moistening and cooling effects on humans and animals. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), red clover has diuretic properties, helping the body to dispose of excess fluids and cleanse the liver, kidneys and bladder of toxins.

  Chinese medicine utilizes red clover as a mild laxative. Red clover may also ease stomach and bowel inflammation.

Respiratory Relief

• "Growing and Using the Healing Herbs" reports that Chinese medicine uses red clover to treat respiratory ailments, coughs, bronchial spasms and congestion. A mixture of red clover flowers and honey produces an effective expectorant and cough syrup, according to Louise Tenney, Master Herbalist and author of "Today's Herbal Health."

Calmative Effect

• Louise Tenney reports that red clover can provide a therapeutic effect on nerves and ease nervous exhaustion. Red clover is a mild relaxant and can be mixed with other calmative herbs to create a soothing tea. Calming affects appear to have no negative side effects.

Wound Healing

• Traditionally red clover has been used to treat topical wounds, burns, eye inflammation and psoriasis according to Drugs.com. The antimicrobial properties in red clover make it effective in reducing infection.

Phytoestrogen Effects

• UMMC reports that red clover studies have shown it contains phytoestrogens that may be able to ease symptoms of menopause. They caution that some studies have questioned the benefits and safety of isoflavones and that menopausal symptom reduction benefits were inconclusive.

  Red clover produced beneficial reduction in bone loss in rats that had their ovaries removed according to a study reported in the February 2008 edition of "Phytotherapy Research." This indicated that red clover may help menopausal and postmenopausal women maintain good bone health.

  Use of red clover in the treatment of prostate enlargement and the reduction of prostate cancer has not proven conclusive, although there is some indication that phytoestrogens can reduce benign prostate enlargement.

Cardiovascular Benefits

• According to UMMC, women who consumed red clover supplements had more flexible arteries and the supplement may provide some protection from blood clots. The study did not include men, however red clover provides circulation benefits by improving blood flow in both men and women.

  According to HerbWisdom.com, red clover can support the liver by increasing bile production, which may reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood.