Red clover (Triofolium pratense) is a perennial plant in the legume family (Fabaceae). It grows in many regions of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.[7] The aerial (above-ground) parts of the red clover plant have been used as a traditional herbal medicine for a variety of ailments,[8] but the research on red clover has generally centered around menopause.
Red clover contains bioactive plant compounds called isoflavones which possess phytoestrogenic properties. While 16 different isoflavones have been identified in red clover, biochanin A and formononetin are thought to be the most abundant.[9] Interestingly, upon consumption, biochanin A and formononetin are metabolized into genistein and daidzein (the same isoflavones found in soy), respectively, which are the dominant isoflavones found in the blood during red clover supplementation.[1][10]