Red Clover Tea

Red clover has a long history for its medicinal benefits. Its usefulness was first explored in China and Russia. Red clover is known as Trifolium pratense, technically. It is also known as purple clover, cow clover, meadow clover or sweet clover. Other popular names include meadow honeysuckle, pea vine clover, wild clover, cleaver grass, marl grass, etc. It's a perennial herb and legume rich. It's a native of Europe and is also found in some parts of north Africa and central Asia. This plant is nowadays cultivated in Australia and America as rotation crop and pasturage. The plant bears flowers of light pink tinge. The blossoms are brewed with tea, to get the health benefits and to enhance the taste of beverages.

Benefits

Red clover is rich in active compounds and vitamins that have some good medicinal value. You can obtain all the health benefits of red clover tea by infusing some blossoms into your daily sip of beverage.

• Red clover tea is rich in antioxidants, like vitamins and minerals, that detoxifies our body from the harmful effects of free radicals. These free radicals can cause serious cellular damage to body and this tea has a neutralizing effect on it.
• Red clover tea acts as an expectorant. Its natural properties help in treatment of bronchitis, asthma, coughs and respiratory congestion.
• It is rich in phytoestrogens, that help in treatment of gynecological problems in females like menopausal symptoms, vaginal dryness and night sweats.
• The phytoestrogens also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and chances of breast cancer.
• It boosts the immune system and helps in the treatment of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy.
• It also acts as a supplement for estrogen hormone.
• It reduces levels of bad cholesterol and heart diseases.
• Red clover has also been used in the treatment of venereal disease, tuberculosis and syphilis.
• Red clover uses also include curing liver diseases and blood purification.
• Other benefits are, it acts as a diuretic, antispasmodic, and sedative.
• It helps in prevention of flatulence, infections, infertility, piles, eczema, skin eruptions, swollen glands etc.
• Red clover is used by women, undergoing menopause. Substances like isoflavones, act as estrogens that reduces symptoms of menopause.
• It contains a compound known as coumarin that acts as natural anti-coagulants and has blood thinning effect. It also makes the arteries more flexible and improves in blood circulation.
• Red clover tea and pregnancy shares fruitful benefits. It tones uterus and reduces morning sickness during pregnancy. It also assists milk production after delivery.

Side Effects

Research has shown that there are no serious side effects associated with red clover tea. Using this herb can cause nausea, rash and headaches. Red clover benefits has been contraindicated during breastfeeding and pregnancy. Red clover is sometimes found to interfere with cancer treating drugs like tamoxifen and it might also alter the effects of drugs taken to control diabetes. Red clover might also increase the effects of blood thinning drugs. It should always be taken under doctor's advice if taken along with other herbal supplements like gingko, vitamin E, garlic, etc. it also interferes with body's ability to process drugs that are broken down by liver enzymes. People undergoing hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills, should not be under the dosage of red clover tea as this might alter the effects of pills. Although red clover tea is safe, the exact dosage must be determined by doctors to avoid the side effects.

Red clover tea can be prepared by adding 1tbsp of dry flowers or herb to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 -15 mins and sweeten to taste. Strain the tea. This preparation can be consumed warm for upset stomach and cough. So supplement this tea in your diet chart. You can drink 2-3 cups normally. Consider taking a doctor's advice before consuming this tea, if you are under any medication.