Red Clover

potential relief of menopausal symptoms

Evidence · Grade C

Meta-analysis availableHuman trial evidenceTraditional useInteraction risk

Herbal remedy for menopausal symptoms

Red clover contains phytoestrogens (isoflavones) that may mimic estrogen in the body, potentially easing hot flashes and night sweats during menopause.

Quick answer

What it is: Red clover contains phytoestrogens (isoflavones) that may mimic estrogen in the body, potentially easing hot flashes and night sweats during menopause.

May support:Menopause

Evidence:Evidence · Grade C

Evidence Summary

Evidence · Grade C

Without specific PubMed studies provided, the evidence for red clover's efficacy is considered limited and inconclusive. General knowledge suggests that research often involves randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, but the absence of specific citations means no direct claims can be made regarding the strength or type of evidence.

Last reviewed · Jun 2026

Have you tried Red Clover?

Vote in 5 seconds. Add details if you want.

What did you try it for?

Your experience for Menopause:

Commonly Combined With

Other remedies frequently used alongside this one — from curated relationships, community reports, and shared protocols.

Community signal breakdown

Where this remedy is being discussed across the web and community.

See Community Mentions

People Like Me insights

As more members share outcomes, RemedyAtlas will show which remedies helped people with similar conditions, symptoms, goals, and lab patterns.

Community Discussions

What people say about Red Clover

Search on Reddit →

Latest news on Red Clover

Health videos on Red Clover

Why It Works

Red clover contains isoflavones, which are phytoestrogens that may interact with estrogen receptors in the body, potentially influencing hormonal balance.

How it works in more detail

Red clover contains several isoflavones, including genistein, daidzein, formononetin, and biochanin A. These compounds are structurally similar to human estrogen and can bind to estrogen receptors (ERs), particularly ER-beta, though they have a weaker estrogenic effect than endogenous estrogen. This selective estrogen receptor modulation may contribute to its potential effects on menopausal symptoms, bone health, and cardiovascular health. The metabolism of these isoflavones by gut bacteria is also crucial for their bioavailability and activity.

How to use

Always consult a qualified clinician.

Editorial guidance

Typical forms

Capsule, Tablet, Tea, Tincture

Medication interactions

Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Oral contraceptives
Tamoxifen

Avoid if

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast, ovarian, uterine cancer)
Endometriosis
Uterine fibroids
Protein S deficiency

Community tips

No community tips yet — be the first to share what worked for you.

Active medicinal compounds

Isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, formononetin, biochanin A)

Traditional use

Historically, red clover has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including respiratory issues like coughs and asthma, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and as a blood purifier. It was also traditionally used to address women's health issues, though specific applications for menopause are a more recent focus in modern herbalism.

Safety

Safety warnings

Red clover is generally considered safe for most adults when consumed in typical dietary amounts or as a supplement for short periods. However, due to its phytoestrogenic properties, individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions should exercise caution. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with a history of breast cancer or other estrogen-dependent cancers, should consult a healthcare professional before use.

Avoid if

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast, ovarian, uterine cancer)
Endometriosis
Uterine fibroids
Protein S deficiency

Medication interactions

Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Oral contraceptives
Tamoxifen

Reported side effects

Mild gastrointestinal upset
Headache
Rash

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Evidence ecosystem

Scientific literature, clinical guidance, government sources, ongoing research, traditional use, and lived experience — grouped by source type and quality.

Overall grade (C)

Meta-Analyses(3)

Pooled analyses across multiple human trials.

Very High Quality

Efficacy of plant-derived dietary supplements in improving overall menopausal symptoms in women: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.
Oh MR, Park JH, Park SK, Park SH · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2024
This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aims to confirm the effectiveness of plant-based supplements in improving overall menopausal symptoms and vasomotor symptoms. A systematic review of the literature was conducted by searching the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases up to June 2022. Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials that evaluated the effects of dietary supplements on menopausal symptoms were included. Outcome measures included daily hot flash frequency, Kupperman's index, Menopause Rating Scale, and Greene Climacteric Scale. Pooled data were analyzed using a fixed-effects model and expressed as a weighted mean difference with a 95% confidence interval for continuous outcomes. For qualitative assessment, 67 studies were selected. For quantitative assessment, 54 reports were obtained from 61 studies. The study participants were peri- or postmenopausal women aged 38-85, most of whom experienced hot flashes as a menopausal symptom. The in
Meta-AnalysisPubMedVery High Quality
Efficacy of phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
Chen MN, Lin CC, Liu CF · Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society · 2015
To perform a meta-analysis examining the efficacy of phytoestrogens for the relief of menopausal symptoms. Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until September 30, 2013 using the following key words: vasomotor symptoms, menopausal symptoms, phytoestrogens, isoflavones, coumestrol, soy, red clover. Inclusion criteria were (1) randomized controlled trial (RCT), (2) perimenopausal or postmenopausal women experiencing menopausal symptoms, (3) intervention with an oral phytoestrogen. Outcome measures included Kupperman index (KI) changes, daily hot flush frequency, and the likelihood of side-effects. Of 543 potentially relevant studies identified, 15 RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The mean age of the subjects ranged from 49 to 58.3 and 48 to 60.1 years, respectively, in the placebo and phytoestrogen groups. The number of participants ranged from 30 to 252, and the intervention periods ranged from 3 to 12 months. Meta-analysis of the sev
Meta-AnalysisPubMedVery High Quality
Alternative and complementary therapies for the menopause.
Pitkin J · Menopause international · 2012
Despite a re-evaluation of risks in recent years, hormone replacement therapy is still surrounded by controversy. Almost 30% of women in a recent survey sought a natural approach to combat climacteric symptoms. Nevertheless, a large proportion of patients felt that they wanted a good safety profile and strong evidence base for treatment. This article seeks to review the evidence supporting non-hormonal approaches to treatment. There is only conflicting evidence at best to support alpha-2 agonists, e.g. clonidine and limited evidence for dihydroepiandrosterone and natural progesterones. There is limited randomized controlled trial data for gabapentin, selective norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), many of these studies being related to breast cancer patients. Of the herbal medicinal products, the largest evidence base rests with phytoestrogens. A Cochrane Database review looking at all types of phytoestrogens, e.g. red clover
Meta-AnalysisPubMedVery High Quality

Limitations: A significant limitation is the absence of specific PubMed studies for review, preventing a detailed assessment of study design, sample size, duration, and outcomes. General limitations in red clover research often include heterogeneity in supplement formulations, varying isoflavone concentrations, and diverse study populations, making it challenging to draw consistent conclusions.

This page is educational. Statements use phrases like "may support" and "has been studied for"because no remedy here is approved to cure, treat, or reverse any condition. Discussion happens on the ailment pages — community statistics here are derived from those reports. Always consult a qualified clinician.

Tried Red Clover?

Help others see what actually works.