{"id":6980,"date":"2019-05-29T21:17:33","date_gmt":"2019-05-29T21:17:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6980"},"modified":"2021-04-08T18:56:07","modified_gmt":"2021-04-08T18:56:07","slug":"14-health-benefits-of-taking-red-clover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-health-benefits-of-taking-red-clover\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Health Benefits of Taking Red Clover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Red clover is a small, perennial plant native to lands across Asia and Europe. The red clover does not bear the same characteristic as clovers you find in fields. The red clover blooms in the early spring months of the Northern hemisphere, producing pink-purple flowers that sit atop broad leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The herb has a special place in traditional medicine where healers recognize its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. Red clover contains potent polyphenol antioxidants that reduce inflammation and help eradicate free radicals from the bloodstream.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplement manufacturers produce red clover oil extracts from the flowers. Leaves and stems of the plant for use in therapeutic applications. Red clover is useful in treating a wide variety of inflammatory diseases and helps to strengthen the immune system, protecting it from infection. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can eat the fresh flowers of the plant, or brew it into a sweet and fragrant tea to capture the health benefits of this herbaceous remedy. Here are eight health benefits of consuming red clover.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Relieve Hypertension<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with high blood pressure are at risk of developing numerous types of cardiovascular disease. Many people suffering from the condition don\u2019t even realize they have anything wrong with them, because hypertension <\/a>rarely displays any adverse health symptoms of the than a slight elevation in heart rate and cranial pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s because of the subtle nature of the symptoms that the medical community labels high blood pressure as, \u201cthe silent killer.\u201d People with hypertension may go for years before the condition starts to produce any adverse health effects of a noticeable nature. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, when things do start to go wrong, the patient may develop severe cardiovascular issues quickly, and they run the risk of developing complications with the kidneys as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anti-inflammatory properties of red clover help to reduce the effects of hypertension, helping affected individuals manage their condition. Drinking red clover tea or supplementing with tablets can tension in the blood vessels and arteries.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Enhance Immune System<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The immune system<\/a> is the body\u2019s watchdog, keeping guard of your health by detecting and killing off invading pathogens. People with weak immune systems may find that they experience sickness more often than those people with robust immune systems. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your immune function depends upon your current health and your diet. If you\u2019re an average, healthy person eating a nutritious diet, then you should have a robust immune response34. However, if you\u2019re dealing with fatty liver disease, obesity, and diabetes, then your immune system will be in a weakened state, exposing you to infection.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since over 70-percent of the immune system resides in the gut, what we eat plays a significant role in immune function. Consuming a nutritious diet and supplementing with red clover can enhance your immune function by strengthening the good bacteria living in your gut. Red clover is beneficial for the health of microbiomes, allowing them to assimilate more nutrition from your food.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Prevent Infection<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The change of the seasons leads to outbreaks of bacteria<\/a>, viruses, and fungi infections across the United States. If your child attends a nursery school, then the chances are they will bring back some pathogen to your home during the course of the springtime. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, red clover helps to increase the health and efficiency of the immune system. A robust immune response will help you resist infection, and enables you to heal faster if you do come down with an illness. Red clover extract is an excellent way to stimulate the immune system \u2013 all you need is a few drops on the tongue each day to increase your immune response.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventative treatment is the best strategy when supplementing with red clover. Ensure that you start adding it to your diet at least 6-weeks before the change in seasons to ensure that your immune system has enough time to receive the full benefits of consuming red clover.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Reduce Period Pains<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women experiencing heavy periods and pain during menstruation <\/a>should consider supplementing with red clover. The cramping and aches associated with harsh menstruation can leave some women feeling terrible for days at a time. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, red clover may provide some relief for women experiencing severe menstrual distress \u2014 the isoflavones found in red clover help to mimic the female hormone, estrogen. Estrogen is responsible for creating the intensity and duration of period pain symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red clover helps to balance hormonal shifts that occur during menstruation, allowing women to stabilize their mood while reducing period pains. Women experiencing the symptoms of tender breasts and abdominal pain during their period should try using red clover extract drops three times a day for the duration of their period. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anti-inflammatory effects of red clover help to reduce pelvic swelling and relieve pain symptoms associated with menstruation. Red clover may also pr4ove useful in helping women who suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease, and menopausal women as well.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Cancer Prevention<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 175,000 American men receive a prostate cancer diagnosis every year. Prostate cancer<\/a> typically occurs in men over the age of 65, but it\u2019s known to have an early onset in some cases, with men as young as 40-years old developing the disease. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, advances in medical science mean that most men receive early diagnosis and prompt treatment for their condition. As a result, more than 80-percent of all men diagnosed with prostate cancer make it to the 5-year survival mark without the disease reoccurring.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men can protect their prostate and reduce their chances of developing prostate cancer by supplementing their diet with red clover. Red clover blocks the production of enzymes that lead to prostate growth and the development of such conditions as benign prostate hyperplasia, (BHP.)  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red clover helps to naturally reduce swelling and inflammation in the prostate that leads to the development of more severe conditions. Research on red clover shows that it enhances a process known as \u201capoptosis, where the body cannibalizes unhealthy or dysfunctional cells while replacing them with healthy new cells.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Lower Cholesterol <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An increase in LDL cholesterol <\/a>is the only cause of coronary artery disease, (CAD). LDL cholesterol produced in the liver has plenty of health functions, but when it reaches concentrations higher than 70-mg p\/dL in the blood, then we run the risk of developing arterial plaque, which starts the onset of CAD. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various lifestyle factors can cause an increase in LDL cholesterol production. People that eat high amounts of sugar and saturated fats in their diet are at high risk of exceeding the 70-mg p\/dL threshold. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and a sedentary lifestyle are all contributing factors to an increase in LDL cholesterol. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, it’s possible to live a healthy lifestyle and maintain low cholesterol levels through changes in diet, exercise, and supplementation. Focus on a diet rich in fiber and high-quality fat sources, such as oils and fatty meats like fish. Supplement with red clover extract or tablets, and you should notice a significant improvement in your cholesterol readings the next time you’re in the doctor’s office.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Enhance Circulation<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The circulatory system is responsible for shuttling oxygen-rich blood around the body. The natural aging process slows circulation<\/a>, resulting in seniors developing symptoms of low blood flow to the extremities of the body. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other conditions and lifestyle habits may slow circulation in adults, such as smoking, drinking excessively, a poor diet, and a lack of exercise. If left undiagnosed and unmanaged, obese and overweight individuals also have the chance of developing a host of life-threatening disorders, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the coumarins found in red clover, help to enhance circulation. These polyphenols reduce stress on the heart while improving oxygen delivery to the muscular and nervous systems. Red clovers anti-inflammatory properties relax blood vessel walls, allowing them to flow smoothly through veins and arteries in the body.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased circulation leads to improved levels of cardiovascular health. However, it\u2019s important to note that overweight and obese individuals require exercise and a restrictive diet, along with red clover supplementation \u2013 to return to healthy body weight.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Detoxify the Body <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live in any city or town in the developed world, the chances are you have exposure to toxins every day. The food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe all contain harmful particles with varying levels of toxicity. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our body absorbs these toxins<\/a>, and it does a beautiful job of eliminating most of them. However, in some situations, we may be taking in more toxins than is possible for our body to remove, resulting in a buildup of these particles in the bloodstream and organs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, people who live in areas like cities should detoxify themselves every few months to ensure optimal health of the blood, organs, and tissues. Red clover is useful in a detox protocol because it has diuretic properties. Diuretics allow the body to evacuate water by increasing urination. This increase enables the body to excrete more toxins through urine, enhancing the effects of the detox program.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9.    Slow Osteoporosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More than 10-million Americans suffer from degenerative bone disease, osteoporosis<\/a>. This condition affects seniors, mostly women, over the age of 65-years old. As we age, our skeleton starts to lose calcium deposits from the bones. As a result, the bone density starts to drop over the course of the following decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors with osteoporosis are at a higher risk of breaking bones in a fall, which could be a life-threatening event for someone in the twilight of their life. Seniors don’t respond well to the anesthetic, especially when anesthesiologists try to bring them around after the surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, seniors need to do all they can to slow the rate of calcium loss. One of the best natural means of boosting your bone health is red clover. The isoflavones and polyphenols found in red clover mimic estrogen, a hormone responsible for marinating bone density. Consuming red clover in supplement format, or as an essential oil, can help to slow the progression of degenerative bone disease.
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10.    Treat Infertility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women who have low estrogen levels may experience difficulties with falling pregnant. Hormone replacement therapy and decades of birth control use may take their toll on the body’s natural ability to produce estrogen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estrogen is the primary female hormone, and it’s responsible for many reproductive functions, including fertility. Doctors can treat low estrogen levels using hormone replacement therapy, but in this case, the patient is then reliant on exogenous hormones for the rest of their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking red clover tea is an excellent way to naturally boost estrogen levels, making it an ideal way to treat infertility<\/a>, without relying on drugs to balance your hormones. Consuming two to three cups of red clover tea every day will help to boost fertility levels and improve the chances of conception. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the isoflavones in red clover tea boost estrogen and help with fertility issues, it’s important to note that this effect can be harmful in others. Those patients who are dealing with estrogen-related diseases, such as ovarian cancer \u2013 should avoid drinking the tea.  
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11.    Treat Eczema<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eczema <\/a>is a skin disorder affecting more than 35-million Americans. Patients with the condition develop inflammation in the top layers of skin which looks like a bright red rash, and the skin dries out and starts to flake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors have yet to identify the cause of eczema, but it’s thought to be an autoimmune disease where the immune system recognizes healthy skin cells as invading pathogens. As a result, the immune system sends antibodies and white blood cells to fight the healthy cells, starting the onset of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diluting red clover oil with a carrier like extra-virgin coconut oil allows to apply it directly to the skin to assist with managing the effects of an eczema attack. You can also mix a few tablespoons of the oil into your favorite body lotion to enhance its eczema-fighting properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using red clover oil to treat symptoms of an eczema outbreak will soothe symptoms of itching and reduce healing time.
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12.    Heal Wounds Faster<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a cut, scrape, or wound <\/a>on your skin, then you can accelerate the healing process and keep it clean using red clover. Making a salve using red clover essential oil is an excellent way to take advantage of the medicinal healing properties in the herb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase some raw beeswax and a bottle of red clover essential oil. Melt 3-ounces of the wax in a pan over low heat on the stove, and add four tablespoons of red clover essential oil. Blend the mixture with a wooden spoon until the ingredients combine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pour the salve into small glass jars and leave it to cool. Once cool, the mixture hardens, and you can scoop it out and apply it to the affected area for immediate relief. The slave contains all of the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of red clover, preventing infection of the wound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store your salve in the fridge to extend its shelf life.
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13.    Keep Skin Looking Youthful<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We’ve already discussed how low estrogen <\/a>levels in women can lead to a variety of dysfunctions in the body, such as infertility. Menopausal women that have diminished levels of estrogen circulating in their bloodstream may find that that they develop a condition known as the “hypoestrogenism effect.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This effect causes problems with collagen production that can lead to the development of skeletal issues such as osteoporosis, and numerous skin disorders, including skin thickness and moisture retention. A loss of collagen-related to the hypoestrogenism effect typically occurs in seniors over the age of 65-years old, but there are instances of the condition occurring in younger women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking red clover tea every day may help to boost estrogen levels and help you avoid the hypoestrogenism effect, keeping your skin looking youthful and vibrant. The estrogen-mimicking effects of the isoflavones found in red clover, help to ensure healthy vascularity and keratinization in skin cells.
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14.    Improve Scalp Health<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you suffer from dandruff <\/a>or an itchy, dry scalp \u2013 red clover oil can recondition the skin and resolve your dandruff problems. Mix four or five tablespoons of red clover essential oil into your shampoo bottle and shake well to combine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wash your hair with the shampoo as usual, and work up a lather. Let the shampoo sit on your scalp for a few minutes before rinsing it off. Red clover oil has potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, making it the ideal natural treatment for dealing with any scalp issue where there is a risk of infection of the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only does red clover oil help to keep your scalp healthy and free from dandruff, but it also helps to promote hair growth as well. Repeat your shampoo treatment two to three times a week for best results. You should start to notice a difference after the second treatment.
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