Did You Know…that Red Clover is an age-old folk remedy and a promising cancer treatment?
Every well-stocked medicine cabinet should have either a tincture of red clover or red clover tea. Here’s why: Red clover is a member of the legume family, and, like its relatives soy, lentils, and astragalus, it can repair damaged DNA, switch off genes that have the potential to turn healthy cells into tumor cells, and reverse pre-cancers and early stage cancers.
As a folk medicine, red clover has been used topically to treat skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis, enhance heart health, and alleviate the symptoms of menopause. As a diuretic and expectorant, red clover helps eliminate excess fluid from the body, clear mucous from the lungs, and detoxify the liver, removing chemicals and heavy metals from our systems.
Red Clover’s Cancer-Fighting Properties
Red clover is rich in key nutrients, including vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, chromium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, and thiamine. It owes much of its cancer-fighting properties, however, to plant-based chemicals called isoflavones, which generate estrogen-like effects in the body and have been shown to help improve the symptoms of menopause, strengthen heart health, and help prevent osteoporosis.
Research has shown that isoflavones can help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and in vitro tests reveal that isoflavones can trigger cancer cell death. Isoflavones are thought to be an especially effective weapon against breast, prostate, and endometrial cancers.
Many 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 stop the proliferation 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, in which thick blood blocks blood vessels and impedes blood flow. If you are already taking blood-thinning medication, however, it’s best not to supplement with 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 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. Health experts advise that red clover should not be taken by pregnant women or women taking birth control pills. |
