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Herbs & Supplements

Wild Clover
Scientific Name: Red Clover
Other Names: Cow Clover, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Trefoil, Trifolium pratense

References

Abebe W. Herbal medication: potential for adverse interactions with analgesic drugs. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. 2002;27(6):391-401.

Albertazzi P. A review of non-hormonal options for the relief of menopausal symptoms. Treatments in Endocrinology. 2006;5(2):101-113.

Anon. The role of isoflavones in menopausal health: consensus opinion of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause 2000;7(4):215-229.

Argento A, Tiraferri E, Marzaloni M. Oral anticoagulants and medicinal plants. An emerging interaction. [Article in Italian] Annals of Italian Medicine International. 2000;15(2):139-143.

Asgary S, Moshtaghian J, Naderi G, et al. Effects of dietary red clover on blood factors and cardiovascular fatty streak formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Phytotherapy Research. 2007;21(8):768-770.

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. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2004;79(2):326-333.

Atkinson C, Oosthuizen W, Scollen S, Loktionov A, Day NE, Bingham SA. Modest 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 women. Journal of Nutrition. 2004;134(7):1759-1764.

Atkinson C, Warren RM, Sala E, et al. Red-clover-derived isoflavones and mammographic breast density: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial [ISRCTN42940165]. Breast Cancer Research. 2004;6(3):R170-R179.

Baber RJ, Templeman C, Morton T, Kelly GE, West L. Randomized placebo-controlled trial of an isoflavone supplement and menopausal symptoms in women. Climacteric. 1999;2(2):85-92.

Barnes S. Phyto-oestrogens [sic] and osteoporosis: what is a safe dose? British Journal of Nutrition. 2003;89(Suppl 1):S101-S108.

Beck V, Unterrieder E, Krenn L, Kubelka W, Jungbauer A. Comparison of hormonal activity (estrogen, androgen and progestin) of standardized plant extracts for large scale use in hormone replacement therapy. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2003;84(2-3):2592-68.

Blakesmith SJ, Lyons-Wall PM, George C, Joannou GE, Petocz P, Samman S. Effects of supplementation with purified red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavones on plasma lipids and insulin resistance in healthy premenopausal women. British Journal of Nutrition. 2003;89(4):467-474.

Booth NL, Overk CR, Yao P, et al. Seasonal variation of red clover (Trifolium pratense L., Fabaceae) isoflavones and estrogenic activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2006;54(4):1277-1282.

Booth NL, Overk CR, Yao P, et al. The chemical and biologic profile of a red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) phase II clinical extract. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2006;12(2):133-139.

Booth NL, Piersen CE, Banuvar S, Geller SE, Shulman LP, Farnsworth NR. Clinical studies of red clover (Trifolium pratense) dietary supplements in menopause: a literature review. Menopause. 2006;13(2):251-264.

Boue SM, Wiese TE, Nehls S, et al. Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of legume extracts containing phytoestrogens. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003;51(8):2193-2199.

Budzinski JW, Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Arnason JT. An in vitro evaluation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition by selected commercial herbal extracts and tinctures. Phytomedicine. 2000;7(4):273-282.

Burdette JE, Liu J, Lantvit D, et al. Trifolium pratense (red clover) exhibits estrogenic effects in vivo in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Journal of Nutrition. 2002;132(1):27-30.

Carroll DG. Nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes in menopause. American Family Physician. 2006;73(3):457-464.

Cassady JM, Zennie TM, Chae YH, et al. Use of a mammalian cell culture benzo(a)pyrene metabolism assay for the detection of potential anticarcinogens from natural products: inhibition of metabolism by biochanin A, an isoflavone from Trifolium pratense L. Cancer Research. 1988;48(22):6257-6261.

Cheema D, Coomarasamy A, El-Toukhy T. Non-hormonal therapy of post-menopausal vasomotor symptoms: a structured evidence-based review. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2007;276(5):463-469.

Clifton-Bligh PB, Baber RJ, Fulcher GR, Nery ML, Moreton T. The effect of isoflavones extracted from red clover (Rimostil) on lipid and bone metabolism. Menopause. 2001;8(4):259-265.

Dornstauder E, Jisa E, Unterrieder I, Krenn L, Kubelka W, Jungbauer A. Estrogenic activity of two standardized red clover extracts (Menoflavon) intended for large scale use in hormone replacement therapy. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2001;78(1):67-75.

Engelhardt PF, Riedl CR. Effects of one-year treatment with isoflavone extract from red clover on prostate, liver function, sexual function, and quality of life in men with elevated PSA levels and negative prostate biopsy findings. Urology. 2008;71(2):185-190.

Friedman JA, Taylor SA, McDermott W, Alikhani P. Multifocal and recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an herbal supplement containing natural coumarins. Neurocritical Care. 2007;7(1):76-80.

Fugh-Berman A, Kronenberg F. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) for menopausal women: current state of knowledge. Menopause. 2001;8(5):333-337.

Geller SE, Studee L. Botanical and dietary supplements for menopausal symptoms: what works, what does not. Journal of Womens Health (Larchmont). 2005;14(7):634-649.

Geller SE, Studee L. Soy and red clover for mid-life and aging. Climacteric. 2006;9(4):245-263.

Gordon A. Red clover extracts not effective for hot flushes. Journal of Family Practice. 2003;52(11):846-847.

Grieve M. Clover, red. In: A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publishers, 1971. Available at: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.html Posted 1995. Accessed November 5, 2003.

Haimov-Kochman R, Hochner-Celnikier D. Hot flashes revisited: pharmacological and herbal options for hot flashes management. What does the evidence tell us? Acta Obstetrica et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 2005;84(10):972-979.

Hale GE, Hughes CL, Robboy SJ, Agarwal SK, Bievre M. A double-blind randomized study on the effects of red clover isoflavones on the endometrium. Menopause. 2001;8(5):338-346.

Hall MH. Red clover. Agronomy facts 21. Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences. No date given.

Haughton C. Red clover. Revised September 1, 2003. Available at: http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/redclover.htm. Accessed December 5, 2003.

Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. American Journal of Health System Pharmacy. 2000;57(13):1221-1230.

Hidalgo LA, Chedraui PA, Morocho N, Ross S, San Miguel G. The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gynecological Endocrinology. 2005;21(5):257-264.

Hodgson JM, Puddey IB, Beilin LJ, Mori TA, Croft KD. Supplementation with isoflavonoid phytoestrogens does not alter serum lipid concentrations: a randomized controlled trial in humans. Journal of Nutrition. 1998;128(4):728-732.

Horn-Ross PL, John EM, Canchola AJ, Stewart SL, Lee MM. Phytoestrogen intake and endometrial cancer risk. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2003;95(15):1158-1164.

Howes JB, Sullivan D, Lai N, et al. The effects of dietary supplementation with isoflavones from red clover on the lipoprotein profiles of postmenopausal women with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis. 2000;152(1):143-147.

Howes J, Waring M, Huang L, Howes LG. Long-term pharmacokinetics of an extract of isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pratense). Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2002;8(2):135-142.

Huntley AL, Ernst E. A systematic review of herbal medicinal products for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Menopause. 2003;10(5):465-476.

Imhof M, Gocan A, Reithmayr F, et al. Effects of a red clover extract (MF11RCE) on endometrium and sex hormones in postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 2006;55(1):76-81.

Jarred RA, Keikha M, Dowling C, et al. Induction of apoptosis in low to moderate-grade human prostate carcinoma by red clover-derived dietary isoflavones. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. 2002;11(12):1689-1696.

Jarred RA, McPherson SJ, Jones ME, Simpson ER, Risbridger GP. Anti-androgenic action by red clover-derived dietary isoflavones reduces non-malignant prostate enlargement in aromatase knockout (ArKo) mice. Prostate. 2003;56(1):54-64.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

Katz AE. Flavonoid and botanical approaches to prostate health. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2002;8(6):813-821.

Knight DC, Howes JB, Eden JA. The effect of Promensil, an isoflavone extract, on menopausal symptoms. Climacteric. 1999;2(2):79-84.

Kurzer MS, Xu X. Dietary phytoestrogens. Annual Review of Nutrition. 1997;17:353-381.

Langer RE. Herb-of-the-month--March 1998. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) 1998. Snowbound Herbals. Available at: http://www.sbherbals.com/0398HotM.html. Accessed December 5, 2003.

Le Bail JC, Champavier Y, Chulia AJ, Habrioux G. Effects of phytoestrogens on aromatase, 3beta and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities and human breast cancer cells. Life Sciences. 2000;66(14):1281-1291.

Lethaby AE, Brown J, Marjoribanks J, Kronenberg F, Roberts H, Eden J. Phytoestrogens for vasomotor menopausal symptoms. Cochrane Database Systematic Review. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD001395.

Lissin LW, Cooke JP. Phytoestrogens and cardiovascular health. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2000;35(6):1403-1410.

Low Dog T. Menopause: a review of botanical dietary supplements. American Journal of Medicine. 2005;118(12 Suppl 2):98-108.

Lukaczer D, Darland G, Tripp M, et al. Clinical effects of a proprietary combination isoflavone nutritional supplement in menopausal women: a pilot trial. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2005;11(5):60-65.

Moyad MA. Complementary/alternative therapies for reducing hot flashes in prostate cancer patients: reevaluating the existing indirect data from studies of breast cancer and postmenopausal women. Urology. 2002;59(4 Suppl 1):20-33.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Online Edition. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2006. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsletter.com/(S(ulqz3s45omt3ag55um4kj345))/home.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND.

Nelson HD, Vesco KK, Haney E, et al. Nonhormonal therapies for menopausal hot flashes: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;295(17):2057-2071.

Nestel PJ, Pomeroy S, Kay S, et al. Isoflavones from red clover improve systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 1999;84(3):895-898.

Nissan HP, Lu J, Booth NL, Yamamura HI, Farnsworth NR, Wang ZJ. A red clover (Trifolium pratense) phase II clinical extract possesses opiate activity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2007;112(1):207-210.

North American Menopause Society. Treatment of menopause-associated vasomotor symptoms: position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2004;11(1):11-33.

Occhiuto F, Zangla G, Samperi S, et al. The phytoestrogenic isoflavones from Trifolium pratense L. (Red clover) protects human cortical neurons from glutamate toxicity. Phytomedicine. Epublished ahead of print. June 5, 2008.

Oerter Klein K, Janfaza M, Wong JA, Chang RJ. Estrogen bioactivity in fo-ti and other herbs used for their estrogen-like effects as determined by a recombinant cell bioassay. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2003;88(9):4077-4079.

Overk CR, Guo J, Chadwick LR, et al. In vivo estrogenic comparisons of Trifolium pratense (red clover) Humulus lupulus (hops), and the pure compounds isoxanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin. Chemistry and Biology Interactions. Epublished ahead of print. June 20, 2008.

Overk CR, Yao P, Chadwick LR, et al. Comparison of the in vitro estrogenic activities of compounds from hops (Humulus lupulus) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005;53(16):6246-6253.

Piersen CE. Phytoestrogens in botanical dietary supplements: implications for cancer. Integrated Cancer Therapy. 2003 Jun;2(2):120-138.

Puschner B, Galey FD, Holstege DM, Palazoglu M. Sweet clover poisoning in dairy cattle in California. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 1998;212(6):857-859.

Rachon D, Menche A, Vortherms T, Seidlova-Wuttke D, Wuttke W. Effects of dietary equol administration on the mammary gland in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Menopause. 2008;15(2):340-345.

Risbridger GP, Wang H, Frydenberg M, Husband A. The in vivo effect of red clover diet on ventral prostate growth in adult male mice. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. 2001;13(4):325-329.

Rufer CE, Kulling SE. Antioxidant activity of isoflavones and their major metabolites using different in vitro assays. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2006;54(8):2926-2931.

Setchell KD, Cassidy A. Dietary isoflavones: biological effects and relevance to human health. Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129(Suppl):758S-767S.

Simoncini T, Garibaldi S, Fu XD, et al. Effects of phytoestrogens derived from red clover on atherogenic adhesion molecules in human endothelial cells. Menopause. 2008;15(3):542-550.

Smoliak S, Ditterline RL, Scheetz JD, et al. Red clover. In: Smoliak S, Ditterline RL, Scheetz JD, et al. Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook. Bozeman, Montana: Montana State University; 1990.

Teede HJ, McGrath BP, DeSilva L, Cehun M, Fassoulakis A, Nestel PJ. Isoflavones reduce arterial stiffness: a placebo-controlled study in men and postmenopausal women. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2003;23(6):1066-1071.

Tempfer CB, Bentz EK, Leodolter S, et al. Phytoestrogens in clinical practice: a review of the literature. Fertility and Sterility. 2007;87(6):1243-1249.

Tesch BJ. New studies question the use of herbs for menopausal relief. HealthLink. Medical College of Wisconsin. November 29, 2001. Available at: http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1007066021.html. Accessed December 5, 2003.

Tice JA, Ettinger B, Ensrud K, Wallace R, Blackwell T, Cummings SR. Phytoestrogen supplements for the treatment of hot flashes: the Isoflavone Clover Extract (ICE) study: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2003;290(2):207-214.

Tomar RS, Shiao R. Early life and adult exposure to isoflavones and breast cancer risk. Journal of Environmental Science and Health C Environmental Carcinogens and Ecotoxicology Review. 2008;26(2):113-173.

Tsunoda N, Pomeroy S, Nestel P. Absorption in humans of isoflavones from red clover and red clover is similar. Journal of Nutrition. 2002;132(8):2199-2201.

van der Schouw YT, de Kleijn MJ, Peeters PH, Grobbee DE. Phyto-oestrogens and cardiovascular disease risk. Nutrition in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases. 2000;10(3):154-167.

van de Weijer P, Barentsen R. Isoflavones from red clover (Promensil) significantly reduce menopausal hot flush symptoms compared with placebo. Maturitas. 2002;42(3):187-193.

Wang Y, Man Gho W, Chan FL, Chen S, Leung LK. The red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavone biochanin A inhibits aromatase activity and expression. British Journal of Nutrition. 2007;29:1-8.

Warren BS, Devine CM. Herbal Medicines and breast cancer risk. Fact Sheet #53. Cornell University Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors. Revised November 2004. Available at: http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/factsheet/diet/fs53/herbal.pdf. Accessed July 14, 2005.

Widyarini S, Spinks N, Husband AJ, Reeve VE. Isoflavonoid compounds from red clover (Trifolium pratense) protect from inflammation and immune suppression induced by UV radiation. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 2001;74(3):465-470.

Widyarini S, Spinks N, Reeve VE. Protective effect of isoflavone derivative against photocarcinogenesis in a mouse model. Redox Report. 2000;5(2-3):156-158.

Wuttke W, Jarry H, Becker T, et al. Phytoestrogens: endocrine disrupters or replacement for hormone replacement therapy? Maturitas. 2003;44 (Suppl 1):S9-S20.

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Wuttke W, Jarry H, Westphalen S, Christoffel V, Seidlova-Wuttke D. Phytoestrogens for hormone replacement therapy? Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 2002;83(1-5):133-147.

Yanagihara K, Ito A, Toge T, Numoto M. Antiproliferative effects of isoflavones on human cancer cell lines established from the gastrointestinal tract. Cancer Research. 1993;53(23):5815-5821.

Zand RS, Jenkins DJ, Diamandis EP. Steroid hormone activity of flavonoids and related compounds. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2000;62(1):35-49.

Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 1998;217(3):369-378.

Last Revised July 31, 2008

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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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