Red Clover Extract

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    Katie Jantz

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: September 21, 2023

    Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a plant in the Fabaceae (legume) family that is a source of isoflavones with estrogen-like effects, similar to soy. Red clover has primarily been researched as a supplement in menopause and might reduce the frequency of hot flashes, but other menopause-related outcomes have been largely inconclusive.

    57 references on this page
    3,139 participants in 32 trials and 1 meta-analysis

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Red clover is usually dosed based on total isoflavone content, with 40–80 mg of isoflavones orally daily being the most commonly used dosing. Some research suggests that dosages of 80 mg daily may be more effective,[1][2] but further research is needed to validate this. Red clover can also be applied directly to the skin, but few studies have utilized this route.

    Due to the nature of herbal medicines, different growing environments and extraction methods will lead to variations in both the concentration and relative abundances of the different isoflavones in red clover which can impact the effects it has on the body.[3][4][5] Therefore, the effects produced from a particular red clover formulation may not be seen with a different formulation. Accordingly, if a study fails to specify the isoflavone composition of the formulation used, it can be challenging to replicate its findings.

    Some commercially made red clover extracts are available that contain standardized amounts of red clover isoflavones. The most-studied product is Promensil, which is considered equivalent to another standardized extract, Menoflavon. Both contain roughly 50% biochanin A, 35% formononetin, 3% genistein, and 1% daidzein.[6]

    Examine Database: Red Clover Extract

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    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. IGF-1 - Vrieling A, Rookus MA, Kampman E, Bonfrer JM, Bosma A, Cats A, van Doorn J, Korse CM, Witteman BJ, van Leeuwen FE, van't Veer LJ, Voskuil DWNo effect of red clover-derived isoflavone intervention on the insulin-like growth factor system in women at increased risk of colorectal cancerCancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev.(2008 Oct)
    2. IGF-1 - Vrieling A, Rookus MA, Kampman E, Bonfrer JM, Korse CM, van Doorn J, Lampe JW, Cats A, Witteman BJ, van Leeuwen FE, van't Veer LJ, Voskuil DWIsolated isoflavones do not affect the circulating insulin-like growth factor system in men at increased colorectal cancer riskJ Nutr.(2007 Feb)
    3. Menopausal Symptoms - Atkinson C, Warren RM, Sala E, Dowsett M, Dunning AM, Healey CS, Runswick S, Day NE, Bingham SARed-clover-derived isoflavones and mammographic breast density: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial ISRCTN42940165Breast Cancer Res.(2004)
    4. Plasminogen Inhibitor-1 - Atkinson C, Oosthuizen W, Scollen S, Loktionov A, Day NE, Bingham SAModest protective effects of isoflavones from a red clover-derived dietary supplement on cardiovascular disease risk factors in perimenopausal women, and evidence of an interaction with ApoE genotype in 49-65 year-old womenJ Nutr.(2004 Jul)
    5. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Blakesmith SJ, Lyons-Wall PM, George C, Joannou GE, Petocz P, Samman SEffects of supplementation with purified red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavones on plasma lipids and insulin resistance in healthy premenopausal womenBr J Nutr.(2003 Apr)
    6. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Campbell MJ, Woodside JV, Honour JW, Morton MS, Leathem AJEffect of red clover-derived isoflavone supplementation on insulin-like growth factor, lipid and antioxidant status in healthy female volunteers: a pilot studyEur J Clin Nutr.(2004 Jan)
    7. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Howes JB, Tran D, Brillante D, Howes LGEffects of dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover on ambulatory blood pressure and endothelial function in postmenopausal type 2 diabetesDiabetes Obes Metab.(2003 Sep)
    8. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Nestel PJ, Pomeroy S, Kay S, Komesaroff P, Behrsing J, Cameron JD, West LIsoflavones from red clover improve systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal womenJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(1999 Mar)
    9. Blood Pressure - Teede HJ, McGrath BP, DeSilva L, Cehun M, Fassoulakis A, Nestel PJIsoflavones reduce arterial stiffness: a placebo-controlled study in men and postmenopausal womenArterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.(2003 Jun 1)
    10. Total cholesterol - Powles TJ, Howell A, Evans DG, McCloskey EV, Ashley S, Greenhalgh R, Affen J, Flook LA, Tidy ARed clover isoflavones are safe and well tolerated in women with a family history of breast cancerMenopause Int.(2008 Mar)
    11. Homocysteine - Samman S, Koh HS, Flood VM, Blakesmith SJ, Petocz P, Lyons-Wall PMRed clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavones and serum homocysteine in premenopausal women: a pilot studyJ Womens Health (Larchmt).(2009 Nov)
    12. Testosterone - Lee CC, Bloem CJ, Kasa-Vubu JZ, Liang LJEffect of oral phytoestrogen on androgenicity and insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal womenDiabetes Obes Metab.(2012 Apr)
    13. Memory - Howes JB, Bray K, Lorenz L, Smerdely P, Howes LGThe effects of dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover on cognitive function in postmenopausal womenClimacteric.(2004 Mar)
    14. Skin Quality - Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, Gocan A, Kurz C, Neuber B, Imhof MEffect of Red Clover Isoflavones over Skin, Appendages, and Mucosal Status in Postmenopausal WomenObstet Gynecol Int.(2011)
    15. Weight - Howes JB, Sullivan D, Lai N, Nestel P, Pomeroy S, West L, Eden JA, Howes LGThe effects of dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover on the lipoprotein profiles of post menopausal women with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemiaAtherosclerosis.(2000 Sep)
    16. Weight - Baber RJ, Templeman C, Morton T, Kelly GE, West LRandomized placebo-controlled trial of an isoflavone supplement and menopausal symptoms in womenClimacteric.(1999 Jun)
    17. Weight - Hidalgo LA, Chedraui PA, Morocho N, Ross S, San Miguel GThe effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyGynecol Endocrinol.(2005 Nov)
    18. Weight - Terzic MM, Dotlic J, Maricic S, Mihailovic T, Tosic-Race BInfluence of red clover-derived isoflavones on serum lipid profile in postmenopausal womenJ Obstet Gynaecol Res.(2009 Dec)
    19. Testosterone - Imhof M, Gocan A, Reithmayr F, Lipovac M, Schimitzek C, Chedraui P, Huber JEffects of a red clover extract (MF11RCE) on endometrium and sex hormones in postmenopausal womenMaturitas.(2006 Aug 20)
    20. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin - Knight DC, Howes JB, Eden JAThe effect of Promensil, an isoflavone extract, on menopausal symptomsClimacteric.(1999 Jun)
    21. Menopausal Symptoms - Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, Gocan A, Kurz C, Neuber B, Imhof MThe effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal womenGynecol Endocrinol.(2012 Mar)
    22. Menopausal Symptoms - del Giorno C, Fonseca AM, Bagnoli VR, Assis JS, Soares JM Jr, Baracat ECEffects of Trifolium pratense on the climacteric and sexual symptoms in postmenopause womenRev Assoc Med Bras.(2010 Sep-Oct)
    23. Menopausal Symptoms - van de Weijer PH, Barentsen RIsoflavones from red clover (Promensil) significantly reduce menopausal hot flush symptoms compared with placeboMaturitas.(2002 Jul 25)
    24. Menopausal Symptoms - Ehsanpour S, Salehi K, Zolfaghari B, Bakhtiari SThe effects of red clover on quality of life in post-menopausal womenIran J Nurs Midwifery Res.(2012 Jan)
    25. Total cholesterol - Schult TM, Ensrud KE, Blackwell T, Ettinger B, Wallace R, Tice JAEffect of isoflavones on lipids and bone turnover markers in menopausal womenMaturitas.(2004 Jul 15)
    26. Anxiety Symptoms - Geller SE, Shulman LP, van Breemen RB, Banuvar S, Zhou Y, Epstein G, Hedayat S, Nikolic D, Krause EC, Piersen CE, Bolton JL, Pauli GF, Farnsworth NRSafety and efficacy of black cohosh and red clover for the management of vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trialMenopause.(2009 Nov-Dec)
    27. Anxiety Symptoms - Lipovac M, Chedraui P, Gruenhut C, Gocan A, Stammler M, Imhof MImprovement of postmenopausal depressive and anxiety symptoms after treatment with isoflavones derived from red clover extractsMaturitas.(2010 Mar)
    28. Hot Flash Symptoms - Tice JA, Ettinger B, Ensrud K, Wallace R, Blackwell T, Cummings SRPhytoestrogen supplements for the treatment of hot flashes: the Isoflavone Clover Extract (ICE) Study: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(2003 Jul 9)
    29. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Chedraui P, San Miguel G, Hidalgo L, Morocho N, Ross SEffect of Trifolium pratense-derived isoflavones on the lipid profile of postmenopausal women with increased body mass indexGynecol Endocrinol.(2008 Nov)
    30. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Nestel P, Cehun M, Chronopoulos A, DaSilva L, Teede H, McGrath BA biochanin-enriched isoflavone from red clover lowers LDL cholesterol in menEur J Clin Nutr.(2004 Mar)
    31. Weight - Atkinson C, Compston JE, Day NE, Dowsett M, Bingham SAThe effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trialAm J Clin Nutr.(2004 Feb)
    32. Bone Mineral Density - Clifton-Bligh PB, Baber RJ, Fulcher GR, Nery ML, Moreton TThe effect of isoflavones extracted from red clover (Rimostil) on lipid and bone metabolismMenopause.(2001 Jul-Aug)
    33. Sexual Function - Sha'ari N, Woon LS, Sidi H, Das S, Bousman CA, Mohamed Saini SBeneficial effects of natural products on female sexual dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Phytomedicine.(2021-Dec)