Natural Products

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

Efficacy

• Indications with proven efficacy:
  None
• Also used for these other indications, but with no proof of efficacy:
  Asthma
  Bronchitis
  Burns (topically)
  Cough
  Eczema and psoriasis (topically)
  Sexually transmitted diseases
  Symptoms of menopause
  Whooping cough

Security

• Risk of Drug Interactions: Moderate
• Adverse Effects: Not Frequent

What is it?

Mostly known as a forage plant, red clover is extensively cultivated in North America and Europe. It has a very characteristic ball-like flower. This perennial plant has been valued for its medicinal properties for quite some time. The applicable part of the plant are the above-ground parts (leaves and flowers). Red clover has been associated with antispasmodic and expectorant activities. It is also thought to exert estrogenic activity due to its isoflavone constituents, and is thus used to relieved the symptoms of menopause. A standardized product called Promensiltm and commercially available in Canada is said to effectively relieve the symptoms of menopause. Red clovers appears to contain anticancer constituents, but their actual therapeutic value has not been established.

Warning

In 2004, Canada adopted new regulations that control the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and importing of natural health products. The new regulations also include an adverse reaction reporting system. Products that conform to the regulation's criteria are identified with a natural product number (NPN) or homeopathic medicine number (DIN-HM) and can be legally sold in Canada. This number indicates that the product meets specific criteria for safety and purity, not that it is effective for any indication.

Medicinal plants content varies naturally from plant to plant – just as fruits from the same package may vary in taste and texture. There is no standard to measure the active content of each plant. Thus, efficacy of natural products should be expected to vary from brand to brand as well as from bottle to bottle of the same brand.

For more information about the Natural Health Products Regulations, or to check if a product has been assessed, visit the Health Canada website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/index-eng.php.

Does it work?

There is no evidence that red clover is effective in any indication. However it is used to treat certain conditions:

• Symptoms of menopause:
  To reduce hot flashes frequency, a standardized formulation should be used: 40 to 80 mg per day.

There is insufficient reliable information to conclude that red clover is effective in any other indication, including topically.

Is it safe?

• Red clover is not associated with any particular toxicity. It can however cause a rash-like reaction in some people.
• Because of its potential estrogenic activity, red clover is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.
• Because of the presence of coumarin derivatives, large doses of red clover may increase the effects of oral anticoagulants (Coumadin) and antiplatelet agents. Before taking red clover, check with your pharmacist to make sure that there are no drug interactions with your regular medication.

Clinical notes

• Some experts claim that current research has failed to establish red clover's therapeutic value; however, it is probably harmless.

References

1. Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database 1999
2. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2007
3. Barnes J. et Al. Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition, Pharmaceutical Press, 2002
4. Natural therapeutics Pocket Guide 2000-2001 (Lexicomp)
5. Passeportsanté.net. Trèfle rouge. http://www.passeportsante.net
6. Rotblatt M. et Ziment I. Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine, Hanley & Belfus, 2002

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