Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavone extracts for menopause symptoms: what NIH and a meta-analysis found, plus cautions on blood thinners, hormone-sensitive cancers and pregnancy.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
What is Red clover good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Menopause hot flashes and symptoms
Preliminary or mixedIsoflavone extracts have been tried for hot flashes. NIH says results are inconsistent and some studies were at high risk of bias; a 2016 meta-analysis found slightly fewer flashes that was close to, not clearly at, statistical significance.
Supplements: Mixed human evidence; no conclusive benefit shown. Results for one extract do not carry over to teas or other forms.
Blood cholesterol
Preliminary or mixedNIH says red clover may have a beneficial effect on cholesterol in postmenopausal women, but findings conflict and more research is needed.
Supplements: Conflicting findings; not an established cholesterol treatment.
Bone density after menopause
Preliminary or mixedOnly a few studies in postmenopausal women, with inconsistent results.
Supplements: Inconsistent human evidence; not shown to protect bones.
Neuroprotective effects (laboratory)
Lab or animal research onlyIsoflavone-enriched extracts protected nerve cells in laboratory studies. This has not been shown in people.
Supplements: No human evidence of benefit.
Skin conditions (traditional use)
Lab or animal research onlyTraditionally used for psoriasis and eczema; a mouse study suggested isoflavones reduced skin aging. Tradition is not evidence.
Supplements: No human evidence of benefit.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Menopause SupportPreliminary or mixed
Used for hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, but NIH says trial results are inconsistent and no benefit is conclusively shown.
Body systems (1)
- Hormone HealthPreliminary or mixed
Contains estrogen-like isoflavones; used for menopause symptoms with inconsistent results, and cautioned against in hormone-sensitive cancers.
Body parts (1)
- BrainLab or animal research only
Isoflavone extracts protected human nerve cells in the laboratory; not tested for benefit in people.
Functional actions (1)
- NeuroprotectiveLab or animal research only
Seen in cell studies only.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
May add to the effects of blood thinners, may affect drug-clearing enzymes and was linked to toxicity with methotrexate in a case report. Clinical relevance is not fully determined.
Conditions & symptoms (3)
- Hot FlushesPreliminary or mixed
Inconsistent results; a 2016 meta-analysis found a near-significant reduction.
- Menopausal SymptomPreliminary or mixed
Studied for menopause symptoms; results inconsistent, no conclusive benefit.
- Hematoma, SubduralDocumented risk
A case report of subdural hematoma after long-term use; causal link not established.
Documented risks and interactions (5)
- Possible bleeding with blood thinners. May add to the effect of anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. The evidence is preclinical studies and case reports; clinical relevance is not determined.
- Estrogen-like activity and hormone-sensitive cancers. Lab studies suggest the extract may stimulate ER-positive breast cancer cells, so people with hormone-sensitive cancers are advised to avoid it or talk to their doctor.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. NIH says red clover supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding; Memorial Sloan Kettering advises avoiding it.
- Effects on drug-clearing liver enzymes and methotrexate. Preclinical studies suggest inhibition of several CYP450 enzymes (clinical relevance not determined). One case report links use with methotrexate injections to severe vomiting and stomach pain.
- Long-term safety. Extracts were used in studies of up to 2 years with apparent safety, but Memorial Sloan Kettering says long-term safety is not known.
Safety first: bleeding and hormone-sensitive conditions
Memorial Sloan Kettering advises talking with a healthcare provider if you take blood thinners such as warfarin, because red clover may increase bleeding risk, and avoiding it if you have a hormone-sensitive cancer. [1] The evidence for the bleeding concern is case reports and preclinical studies, and its clinical relevance is not yet determined. [1] Tell the surgical team about it before a procedure, and see medicine interactions.What it is
Red clover is a legume, like peas and beans, native to Europe, central Asia and northern Africa. [2] The accepted name is Trifolium pratense L., in the pea family (Fabaceae). [3] Supplements are typically extracts that concentrate isoflavones, plant compounds structurally similar to estrogen. [2][1] Which part of the plant a product uses is not stated in the sources we read, so check the label. For the tea as a product see red clover tea.Traditional use
Memorial Sloan Kettering says red clover has traditionally been used for skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema, whooping cough and mastitis. [1] Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for the named peoples or periods behind these uses. Tradition is not evidence that a use works.What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot flashes in menopause | NIH: inconsistent results and some studies at high risk of bias. [2] | Mixed | Peri- and postmenopausal women; isoflavone extracts |
| Hot flashes, meta-analysis | A 2016 review found fewer flashes in red clover groups, but the difference was close to, not at, statistical significance and results varied widely. [4] | Mixed | Peri- and postmenopausal women |
| Cholesterol | NIH: may help in postmenopausal women but more research is needed. [2] | Promising but limited | Postmenopausal women |
| Bone density | Few studies and inconsistent results. [2] | Insufficient evidence | Postmenopausal women |
| Breast and prostate cells | Lab studies suggest red clover extract may stimulate ER-positive breast cancer cells, and that it inhibited growth of normal prostate cells and made prostate cancer cells more resistant to high-dose radiation. [1] | Preclinical (cells) | Cell studies, not people |
NIH sums up that research has not shown conclusive evidence of benefit for any health condition. [2] The 2016 review also saw some improvement in vaginal dryness measures with an 80 mg dose of one extract, and less effect on mood, sex and sleep. [4] See herbs for menopause symptoms and Black Cohosh, Soy, Red Clover and hormone claims.
Forms
Isoflavone extracts come as tablets, capsules and tinctures, and as creams for the skin. [1] A result for one extract does not transfer to a tea, a tincture or a food. See forms and preparations.Safety details
- Studies: extracts were used in clinical studies for up to 2 years with apparent safety and good tolerance. [2] Memorial Sloan Kettering says long-term safety is not known. [1]
- Medicines: possible additive effects with anticoagulants and antiplatelets, and preclinical signs of effects on liver enzymes that clear drugs. [1] One case report links red clover with toxicity when used with methotrexate injections. [1]
- Case reports: a subdural hematoma in a woman after long-term use, and a subarachnoid hemorrhage after a product combining red clover, dong quai and Siberian ginseng. [1]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NIH says supplements may be unsafe. [2]
- Children, older adults, liver and kidney disease, allergy: not described in the sources we read.
- Quality: see quality testing.
Frequently asked questions
Does red clover help hot flashes?
Results are inconsistent. NIH says studies had inconsistent results and some were at high risk of bias. [2]
Does red clover act like estrogen?
It contains isoflavones that are structurally similar to estrogen. [2] Lab studies suggest estrogen-like activity. [1]
Can I take red clover with warfarin?
Ask the prescriber or pharmacist first. Memorial Sloan Kettering says it may increase bleeding risk. [1]
Is red clover safe after breast cancer?
Memorial Sloan Kettering says to talk with your doctor; red clover may worsen hormone-sensitive cancers. [1]
Is it safe in pregnancy?
NIH says red clover supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [2]
References
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Red Clover: Purported Benefits, Side Effects and More. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH, NIH. Red Clover. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Trifolium pratense L.. Read 2026-10-23.
- Ghazanfarpour M, et al. Red clover for treatment of hot flashes and menopausal symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2016;36:301-311. Read 2026-10-23.