Red Clover Tea

What is Red Clover Tea

Red clover tea is a sweet-tasting, herbal beverage that is made from the dry red clover flowers. This is a drink that has become popular not just for its flavor and aroma, but also for its nutritional values and remedial properties.

History and Origin

In the ancient times, the three-lobed red clover leaves had been associated with the Christian Trinity. The red clover had been used as a remedy for urinary stones when consumed with wine, while the roots were said to be effective for dropsy.

During the 1930s, the herb was also extensively used to treat cancers of the ovary, the breasts, and the lymph, as also for cardiac and pulmonary diseases. It was also said to be an effective remedy for oncological issues.

The use of the red clover was prevalent amongst the Chinese and the Germans, while an old Irish remedy for winter cold was drinking of clover tea. A documented cure for cancer, which traditionally comes from the hills of the Tennessee, reads, “Place two or three teaspoons of red clover blossoms in a cup of boiling water, steep mixture until a tea is formed. Drink one cup a day.”

Red Clover Tea Health Benefits

Beneficial for female health

The phytoestrogenic isoflavones in red clover gives it estrogen-like properties, making it useful for reducing the symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, night sweats as well as emotional and psychological stress, aiding in peaceful sleep. For the same reason, it can slow down the process of bone loss, helping to prevent orthopedic issues like osteoporosis, which is common after menopause. Researches have also shown the phytoestrogen to be beneficial for postmenopausal women with type II diabetes.

Its estrogen-like properties also make it beneficial for female health in general, helping to manage Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms, including cyclical breast pain, and promoting natural breast enlargement. It has high levels of calcium and magnesium, the elements beneficial for fertility in women. The alkalizing ability of the herb helps maintain proper alkaline-pH levels in the body, while balancing the hormone levels, aiding in the process of conception. Its hormone balancing effects can also soften and reduce the size of cysts of the breasts, ovary, etc.

The phytoestrogens are also believed to help in reducing the growth of uterine fibroids, a benign form of tumor in the uterus wall. Genistein, a phytoestrogen present in the herb can help in preventing tumor formation by cutting off their blood supply.

Anti-cancer properties

The tea is high in natural protective antioxidants. Recently, primary evidence after research show that the isoflavones present in red clover might help in fighting cancer by preventing the malignant cells from multiplying (or probably, even by obliterating them). However, there has been no evidence that the drug lowers the risk of breast cancer. The herb is also beneficial for endometrial cancer. Studies have suggested that it has benefitted men with enlarged prostate gland (BHP) by helping in reduction of the prostate size. Thus, it can also be theorized that, the red clover might have the property of preventing prostate cancer.

Detoxifies the body

Known for its blood purifying properties, red clover tea acts as an effective diuretic, cleansing the body of toxins and excess water and thus improving the functioning of the liver. This also increases urine production, enabling the kidney to work better.

It can also help to get rid of cellulite, harmful fat deposits beneath the skin layer, due to its detoxifying effects.

Supports cardiovascular health

Its beta-sitosterol content helps to lower the LDL or bad cholesterol levels and control high blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of various heart diseases. However, there is a lack of human study to support this claim. The herbal tea further lowers the LDL cholesterol levels by promoting the production of bile acids that uses up a considerable amount of the cholesterol in the body. Researches have shown it to improve the HDL (good cholesterol) levels in postmenopausal women.

Some experts also believe its natural tocopherol content to lower the risks of heart attack.

Helps in bronchitic and respiratory conditions

Red clover tea acts as a natural expectorant, helping in conditions such as asthma, cough, respiratory congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, etc.

Anti-parasitic properties

The presence of genistein has made it a potent antibacterial and anti-fungal agent. Drinking red clover tea might resist fungal infections like athlete’s foot, infectious bacterial illnesses like tuberculosis and even sexually transmitted bacterial diseases like syphilis. Studies also show the genistein to be helpful for removing parasites like tapeworms from the human intestine.

Helps in Digestion

It stimulates the production of digestive fluids, aiding in better digestion while improving appetite and relieving problems like constipation. It may also help in treating normal acidity as well as stomach ulcers by normalizing the stomach acid levels.

Other Uses

• It has some dermatological utilities. It is good for skin problems such as lichen sclerosus, rashes, acnes, psoriasis, eczema, yeast infections like candida, etc., if applied topically like in a poultice.
• Research shows that the tea, when used as a rinse, can act to fight alopecia (hair loss).
• Freshly crushed flower is applied on bug bites and stings due to its anti-inflammatory property.
• Warm red clover tea may be used as a compress to treat arthritic pains and gouts, and for gargling for treating sore throat.

How to Make Red Clover Tea

• Boil 4 cups of water in a pan and remove from heat.
• Take 1 cup of red flower blossoms, examine them thoroughly (to make sure that there are no bugs), and add them to the boiled water.
• Add 2 tbsp of peppermint or spearmint, and allow the mixture to steep for about 10 min.
• Strain it and add honey or sugar, as per your taste.
• Stir and sip.

You might as well want to consume it ice-cold. For that, refrigerate the mixture and add ice cubes before you drink.

Safety and Precautions

Side effects

No adverse or severe side effects have been reported in individuals who have consumed the herb for almost a year.

Because of its estrogen-like properties and the presence of phytoestrogen, women with endometriosis, estrogen dominance or breast cancer, or having a family history of the disease, and people with migraine headache might not consume red clover.

It might not also be taken with aspirin, progesterone compounds, estrogen, oral contraceptives, or anticoagulants.

Use during pregnancy

If organic red clover is consumed by mouth in limited amounts found in foods, the herb shouldn’t be unsafe during pregnancy.

Where to Buy

You can get red clover in readymade teabags, as also in supplement form. The herb is commonly available in the local markets, malls, health stores, groceries, etc. You can also easily order your red clover online.