Is Red Clover Good for Your Health? An In-Depth Look at Its Benefits

December 16, 2025 •

5 min read

Research indicates red clover contains isoflavones, compounds that may act like estrogen in the body, driving its most notable health effects, especially for women's health. This article examines the scientific basis for these claims.

Quick Summary

Red clover, a plant from the legume family, contains isoflavones, which can help manage menopausal symptoms. Some data suggest benefits for bone density and cardiovascular markers, although the findings are mixed. Safety precautions are crucial, particularly for those with hormone-sensitive conditions.

Key Points

Menopausal Symptom Relief: Red clover isoflavones may help reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes, particularly for postmenopausal women with severe symptoms, though studies are mixed.
Bone Health Potential: Research indicates that red clover may help prevent bone mineral density loss in menopausal women, but findings are not conclusive across all studies.
Cardiovascular Effects: Some studies suggest that red clover can positively impact cholesterol levels and arterial health in postmenopausal women, though evidence is inconsistent.
Hormone-Sensitive Warnings: Due to its phytoestrogen content, individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions like certain cancers should avoid red clover.
Drug Interaction Risk: Red clover can interact with medications, including blood thinners, hormone therapies, and oral contraceptives.
Traditional vs. Scientific Evidence: While traditionally used for various ailments like skin conditions and respiratory issues, many of these uses lack strong modern scientific support.

What is Red Clover?

Red clover ($Trifolium~pratense$) is a wild flowering plant in the legume family, also known as cow clover or meadow clover. It is native to Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa. Now cultivated worldwide, it's common in meadows and lawns. Beyond its use as animal fodder, red clover's flowers and leaves have a long history in traditional folk medicine. The medicinal properties of red clover are due to its concentration of isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen.

The Science Behind Red Clover's Health Effects

The health benefits of red clover are primarily attributed to its isoflavone content, including biochanin A, formononetin, daidzein, and genistein. As phytoestrogens, these compounds can weakly mimic the effects of estrogen in the body by binding to estrogen receptors. This hormonal-like action underlies many of its uses, particularly those related to women's health. Red clover is notable for its higher concentration of isoflavones like formononetin and biochanin A compared to soy, which may explain some of its unique effects.

Red Clover for Menopausal Symptoms

One of the most researched applications of red clover is in alleviating menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes and night sweats. A 2021 meta-analysis found a moderate but statistically significant reduction in hot flashes for women taking red clover isoflavone extracts. However, the results across all studies have been mixed, with some finding no significant difference compared to a placebo. Factors like isoflavone dosage, the specific isoflavone composition, and the severity of baseline symptoms may influence effectiveness. Other reported improvements include anxiety, depression, and vaginal dryness, though more high-quality, independent research is still needed.

Red Clover for Bone Health

Bone mineral density often declines significantly after menopause due to decreasing estrogen levels, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. The phytoestrogens in red clover have been studied for their potential to help preserve bone mass.

A 2015 study showed that a red clover extract helped reduce bone mineral density (BMD) loss in the lumbar spine and neck in perimenopausal women over 12 weeks.
Another randomized controlled trial found improved bone status in healthy menopausal women after 12 weeks of supplementation.
Some fermented red clover extracts are specifically designed for better bioavailability and have shown promising results in trials related to bone health.
However, other studies have found no significant improvement in bone density with red clover supplementation, underscoring the inconsistent nature of the findings.

Red Clover for Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular disease risk increases significantly after menopause. Some research has investigated whether red clover isoflavones can offer protective effects, mainly by impacting cholesterol levels and arterial function.

Some reviews have shown a decrease in LDL ('bad') cholesterol and triglycerides, along with an increase in HDL ('good') cholesterol, in postmenopausal women using red clover extracts.
A study in 2015 also reported a 12% decrease in LDL cholesterol over one year in postmenopausal women taking 50 mg of red clover daily.
However, a subsequent 2020 review found no significant effect on either LDL or HDL cholesterol.
Other preliminary studies have suggested improved arterial compliance, which indicates more flexible arteries, but more research is required.

Other Traditional and Emerging Uses

Beyond hormonal and cardiovascular health, red clover has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions, though modern scientific evidence is often limited.

Skin and Hair Health: Some studies suggest improved skin texture, appearance, and hair quality in women taking red clover extract. Topical application has traditionally been used for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, likely due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Respiratory Issues: Historically, it was used for bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma. However, current scientific evidence for these uses is lacking.
Cancer Research: Preliminary research has explored the anti-cancer potential of red clover isoflavones in lab settings, but human studies are inconclusive. Due to its estrogenic effects, red clover is often contraindicated for women with hormone-sensitive cancers.

How to Use Red Clover Safely

Red clover is available in several forms, including dried flowers for tea, tinctures, and standardized supplements providing specific dosages of isoflavones. It is important to follow product instructions and consult a healthcare provider before use, especially when starting a new supplement. Long-term safety data beyond two years is limited.

Comparison of Herbal Remedies for Menopause


Feature	Red Clover	Black Cohosh	Evening Primrose Oil	Flaxseed
Active Compounds	Isoflavones (phytoestrogens)	Triterpene glycosides	Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA)	Phytoestrogens (lignans)
Primary Mechanism	Mimics estrogen to balance hormonal changes	Thought to balance estrogen and progestogen levels	Anti-inflammatory action	Mimics estrogen
Efficacy for Hot Flashes	Mixed evidence; some studies show moderate reduction	Some evidence suggests benefit, but often mixed	Evidence is not strong for this use	Mixed results in studies
Other Uses	Bone health, cardiovascular support, skin	Menopausal symptoms, mood	PMS, skin conditions	Cholesterol, cardiovascular health
Hormone-sensitive cautions?	Yes, due to estrogenic effects	Yes, not recommended with breast cancer	Little information; check with doctor	Yes, especially in large amounts
Common Side Effects	Nausea, headache, bloating, spotting	Stomach upset, cramping, spotting	Bloating, stomach pain	Constipation, diarrhea

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

While generally well-tolerated, red clover is not without risks, especially due to its phytoestrogen content. Potential side effects include mild stomach upset, headache, nausea, and vaginal spotting or prolonged menstruation.

Contraindications and Warnings:

Hormone-Sensitive Conditions: Those with a history of or at risk for hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast, ovarian), endometriosis, or uterine fibroids should avoid red clover due to its estrogenic activity. A multi-year study found no increased risk for women with a family history of breast cancer, but caution is still advised.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use red clover, as its hormonal effects could disrupt hormone balances.
Bleeding Disorders/Surgery: Red clover may slow blood clotting due to coumarins and should be avoided by individuals with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications. Discontinue use at least two weeks before any scheduled surgery.
Drug Interactions: Consult a healthcare provider before use, as red clover may interact with hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, tamoxifen, and blood thinners.

Conclusion: Is Red Clover Good for Your Health?

The question of whether red clover is good for your health has a nuanced answer. The most promising and studied benefits are related to menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes, and its potential effects on bone mineral density and cardiovascular markers, primarily in postmenopausal women. However, the scientific evidence is mixed, and results often vary between studies. The efficacy for other traditional uses, like respiratory or cancer treatments, is not yet supported by strong clinical evidence. Its hormonal-like activity means it is not safe for everyone, especially those with hormone-sensitive conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those on blood-thinning medication. Ultimately, while it may offer benefits for certain individuals, particularly for menopausal symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider before incorporating it into your routine, especially given the inconsistent research and potential side effects.

For more detailed information on complementary and integrative health, visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/red-clover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dosages for red clover vary depending on the product and intended use. Based on clinical research, doses of 40-80 mg of isoflavones daily are often cited for menopausal symptom relief. It is crucial to follow the directions on the specific product label or consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Some studies suggest that red clover isoflavones may help slow bone loss and improve bone mineral density in menopausal women. However, other studies have shown no effect, and the overall evidence is limited and inconsistent. It is not a replacement for standard osteoporosis treatments.

No, red clover should not be taken with HRT. Red clover contains isoflavones with estrogen-like activity, and combining it with hormone therapy could cause adverse effects or interfere with the medication's effectiveness.

While generally considered safe for short-term use, some people may experience side effects such as nausea, headaches, skin irritation, bloating, or unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting. These effects are typically rare and mild.

Limited research exists on red clover's effects in men. Some preliminary animal studies suggest isoflavones may impact male fertility. However, one small study found a red clover extract could lower PSA levels in men with high readings, but caution is still advised, especially with certain cancers.

Red clover can be consumed as a tea made from dried flowers, a concentrated liquid extract (tincture), or in capsule form. You can also use the fresh flowers and leaves in salads or other dishes. Herbal teas, however, may not provide the standardized doses found in supplements.

Most safety studies have been for short to medium durations, with some suggesting safety for up to two years. Long-term safety is not well-established, and it is best to use it under the supervision of a healthcare professional, especially for extended periods.

Traditional medicine used red clover for skin ailments like psoriasis and eczema, and it is known for anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies have reported subjective improvements in skin texture with red clover extract, but more research is needed to confirm its efficacy for specific skin conditions.

Yes, red clover contains coumarins, which may have blood-thinning properties. This means it can slow blood clotting and should be avoided by people with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medications.