As my patients and newsletter readers know, I recommend many different types of herbs and nutrients for the relief of menopause hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. But theres one herb that often doesnt get the attention it deserves: red clover. Red clover contains four phytoestrogens (estrogen-like plant compounds thought to have an effect on menopause symptoms such as hot flashes) called genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, and formononetin, and has become increasingly popular among menopausal women here in the United States.
Many studies have been done on red clover, and according to a review of five studies published in the American Journal of Medicine, red clover helps to significantly reduce the frequency of menopause hot flashes. Other research has shown that the herb is also beneficial for cardiovascular health. In one placebo-controlled study reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, red clover improved arterial compliance. Other known potential cardiovascular benefits of red clover isoflavones include the inhibition of platelet clumping or aggregation, which can clog arteries, and the herbs action as a potent antioxidant, which also helps reduce buildup of bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in arteries.
I recommend taking a standardized extract that contains 40 mg of total isoflavones.