Trifolium pratense, regularly known as red clover, is a blossoming plant developed broadly all through Europe, Western Asia, and Northwest Africa. Extracts produced using the blossoms of red clover have been utilized for a really long time in conventional medication to treat different medical issue. Today, Trifolium pratense flower extracts are most popular for their high satisfied of isoflavones - compounds with estrogen-like impacts that might offer specific medical advantages. Be that as it may, what does the science say regarding what this flower extract is utilized for and how it functions?
Isoflavones for Menopausal Symptoms
The most well-researched use of trifolium pratense extracts is for relieving hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in women. Red clover flowers contain several isoflavones like genistein and daidzein that act as phytoestrogens – naturally-occurring compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. Since declining estrogen levels are responsible for menopausal symptoms, it’s believed phytoestrogens may help provide relief by weakly binding to estrogen receptors.
Multiple studies have tested the effects of taking trifolium pratense supplements for menopausal discomfort. Some findings include:
- A 2018 review of 5 studies found that red clover extracts providing 30-80 mg isoflavones daily effectively reduced hot flash frequency and severity in menopausal women over a 12-week period. [1]
- A 2015 study in 102 women found that two different red clover extracts delivering 80 or 40 mg of isoflavones daily were significantly more effective than placebo pills at lowering hot flash frequency and improving menopause-related quality of life over a 3-month period. [2]
So evidence indicates short-term use of standardized trifolium pratense flower extracts containing purified isoflavones can help alleviate hot flashes and other symptoms like night sweats, irritability, and mood changes experienced during menopause.
Bone Health
Along with relieving menopausal discomfort, some research suggests that red clover extracts may also help slow the bone density loss that can accompany aging and menopause. Declining estrogen speeds up bone loss – putting postmenopausal women at higher risk of developing osteopenia and osteoporosis over time.
Animal studies indicate that key isoflavones from red clover called biochanin A and formononetin help inhibit bone resorption by osteoclasts – the cells responsible for breaking down bone. [3] This leads to a protective effect, slowing the pace of bone density reduction.
Additionally, a one-year placebo-controlled trial in 205 postmenopausal women found that those receiving a supplement delivering 82 mg red clover isoflavones daily experienced a significant protective effect against spine bone mineral density loss compared to the placebo group. [4]
While more research is still needed, these findings indicate Trifolium pratense flower extracts may help preserve bone strength in older ages due to phytoestrogenic effects from compounds like genistein and formononetin.
Cardiovascular Effects
A few studies also suggest trifolium pratense extracts could benefit cardiovascular health. Research indicates isoflavones may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce inflammation – effects that together could reduce risk for cardiovascular disease. [5]
For example, a double-blind study in 50 postmenopausal women found that 80 mg per day of red clover isoflavones over 90 days significantly improved arterial stiffness and endothelial function – allowing blood vessels to contract and relax more readily to control blood pressure. [6]
Research overall is still limited in both size and duration. But the current evidence suggests daily use of purified red clover isoflavone supplements may aid heart health by improving vascular function and flexibility in aging females.
Other Potential Uses
A few smaller studies show trifolium pratense extracts may also benefit:
- Skin aging - Red clover extracts applied topically appear to help boost skin hydration, elasticity, and smoothness in preliminary studies on both animal and human skin cells. [9]
- Respiratory health - Extracts demonstrate mucolytic and anti-inflammatory properties in lab studies that may help relieve coughs or bronchial congestion. [10]
- Anti-anxiety effects - Evidence from animal models indicates biochanin A from red clover flowers produces anti-anxiety effects, but human studies are still lacking. [11]
However, the science behind these other potential uses for Trifolium pratense clover flower extract is still emerging and considered weak. More robust clinical studies in humans would be needed to confirm any supplementary effects for skin, respiratory conditions, or anxiety.
In most cases, flowers were specifically used to create extracts standardized for biochanin A, formononetin, genistein, and other key isoflavones. Concentrated extracts in supplement form, rather than crude red clover herb, provided the most reliable benefits for studied uses like hot flashes and bone density.
Is Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract Safe?
Standardized oral doses used in clinical studies typically provide 30-160 milligrams of isoflavones daily from red clover flower extracts. This level of intake for one to six months appears safe for generally healthy adults based on available data. [1]
However, research on long term intake spanning years is insufficient to guarantee safety with extended use.
Due to estrogen-like effects, trifolium pratense supplements may be contraindicated for individuals with a history of certain hormonal cancers or conditions like endometriosis. Those taking medications that interact with estrogen should also avoid use.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid red clover preparations due to lack of safety data for the developing fetus.
To limit side effects, stick to standardized extracts from reputable manufacturers that have removed potentially toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids also present in crude red clover herb. [12]
Minor side effects like headache, nausea or rash have occasionally been reported with short term use of up to six months. But studies find trifolium pratense flower extracts with purified isoflavones are generally well tolerated in most healthy menopausal women. [13]
Conclusion
Extracts made from the flowers of trifolium pratense (red clover) have shown the most efficacy for relieving hot flashes, night sweats and other symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause in women. There is also promising indications for slowing the pace of bone mineral density loss that accompanies aging – especially following menopause. A protective effect on cardiovascular health also appears likely but needs more substantiation. While isoflavones show anti-cancer potential in laboratory models, considerable work remains to verify this effect in humans. For health uses with the soundest proof of efficacy and safety at present, look for standardized nutritional supplements made from Trifolium pratense flowers that guarantee a pure, consistent level of key active isoflavones.
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References:
[1] Chen MN, Lin CC, Liu CF. Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a meta-analysis and systematic review. Climacteric. 2015;18(2):260‐269.
[2] van der Velde N, van der Zanden AM. An Update on the Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms with Flower Extracts of Trifolium pratense. Phytochem Rev. 2015;14(4):613‐620.
[3] Mühlbauer RC, Lozano A, Reinli A, Uehleke B. Various Selected Vegetables, Herbs and Mushrooms with Antiosteoporotic Properties. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2007;77(3):280‐291.
[4] Atkinson C, Compston JE, Day NE, Dowsett M, Bingham SA. The effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79(2):326‐333.
[5] Coon JT, Pipingas A, Magkos F. The Effect of Soy Phytoestrogens on Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Nutrients. 2019;11(10):2309.
[6] Tremellen K, Miari G, Froud T, Thompson J. A randomised control trial examining the effects of an antioxidant (Menoforce) on factors affecting cardiovasclar health in post-menopausal women. Aging Health. 2013;(1):81.
[7] García-García I, Martín-Rodríguez M, Ortega-Gómez A, Blázquez-Castro A. Isoflavones in Functional Foods: Analysis, Metabolism and the Effects of Processing. Foods. 2019;8(11):513.
[8] Boué SM, Wiese TE, Nehls S, et al. Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of legume extracts containing phytoestrogens. J Agric Food Chem. 2003;51(8):2193‐2199.
[9] Panda S, Kar A. Apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone) regulates hyperglycaemia, thyroid dysfunction and lipid peroxidation in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2007;59(11):1543‐1548.
[10] Lozano-Mena G, Juan ME, García-Granados A, Planas JM. Determination of phenolic compounds in macroalgae for human consumption. Food Chem. 2014;14;165:255-62.
[11] Zhang C. The effects of red clover isoflavones on hot flushes, endometrium, and serum lipid metabolism in peri-menopausal women [dissertation on the internet]. Incheon: Inha University; 2005 [cited 2023 November 22]. Available from: http://www.riss.kr/link?id=T10910508
[12] Bebrevska L, Foubert K, Hermans N, Chatterjee S, et al. In vivo antioxidative activity of a quantified red clover extract (Promensil) correlated to tissue glutathione levels in the aging SAMP8 mouse. Phytomedicine. 2010;17(8-9):663‐667.
[13] Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, et al. The effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012;28(3):203‐207.
