5-Minute Health Tip: Sip Some Red Clover Tea

red cloverTake a 5-minute break and sneak in an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory fix with the minty sweetness of red clover tea. Red clover is an age-old medicinal remedy that can be used topically to treat psoriasis, eczema, sores, and burns…and internally to help improve heart health, fight cancer, increase bone density, and relieve the symptoms of menopause. Red clover tea is also a gentle detoxifier that can help flush chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxins from your body.

Incredible Isoflavones

Red clover owes much of its medicinal magic to its rich concentration of isoflavones. These polyphenolic compounds have an estrogen-like effect that can help decrease the symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes. They also help protect against and treat osteoporosis by counteracting the drops in estrogen and slowing down bone loss and increasing bone density.

Anti-Cancer Ingredients

Numerous published studies attest to the cancer-fighting properties of key ingredients in red clover, including caffeic acid, biochanin-A, formononetin, genistein, isorhamnetin, and coumarin. These compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and even contribute to apoptosis (cancer cell death).

Coumarin doubles as a cancer fighter and a heart healthy phytochemical that acts as a blood thinner, especially effective against diseases such as thrombosis, where thick blood blocks blood vessels and impedes blood flow. If you are already taking blood thinning medication, however, it’s best not to drink red clover tea due to the proven blood-thinning effects.

Red clover has also demonstrated a beneficial effect on lowering blood pressure and raising HDL “healthful” cholesterol.

Red Clover Tea

Red clover is a popular ingredient in many tea medley blends. You can also purchase full blend red clover tea, or even make your own if red clover grows in your garden.

Red clover is a powerful herb and can interact negatively with many prescription medications. Please consult your medical doctor before adding it to your daily regimen. Red clover should not be taken by pregnant women or women taking birth control pills.