Red clover and its uses in womens health – Part 2

Red clover is a great treatment for many ailments however; it is most commonly used to treat hot flashes in women with menopause symptoms. Hot flashes are the number one reason menopausal women seek treatments and remedies for menopause. More and more women are seeking natural treatments for their symptoms because the adverse affects of hormone therapy are becoming more and more evident. Some studies have found that the long term use of hormone therapy can lead to increased risk of breast cancer.

Red clover is available in tablets, capsules and liquid form. Also, dried red clover can be use in tea. It has also been marketed under the name Promensil for use in treating hot flashes.

Red clover contains isoflavones which are effective in treating and preventing a number of ailments. “Diets which contain high levels of phytoestrogenic isoflavanoids are associated with a low incidence of osteoporosis and menopausal vasomotor symptoms” (quote from: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.g ov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=40 0685 ). Red clover has been found to prevent the thickening of the endometrial tissue. Thick endometrial tissue is linked to an increased risk of cancer. Red clover also improves cardiovascular health and can lower cholesterol, prevent bone loss and reduce breast tissue density (also linked to cancer). Also, many believe that toxins in the blood are the cause of many illnesses. Red clover has been used to purify the blood

Red clover has no noted adverse side effects but it is not recommended for use in children, pregnant women or those undergoing surgery because of its ability to thin the blood.

Red clover and its uses in womens health – Part 4

According to Tori Hudson in the Townsend Letter for doctors and patients, several other studies have shown mixed results with red clover and hot flashes and nightsweats. Two studies have shown no clear benefit over placebo, but two have shown approximately a 50% reduction in frequency and intensity. This study confirms some benefit in reducing at least the frequency, but no benefit in other menopause symptoms. Although not my first herb of choice for perimenopausal and menopausal vasomotor symptoms, red clover does have a role in the list of options to be considered to relieve these troubling symptoms in many menopausal women.

One of the recent findings from the Women’s Health Initiative has been the increase in mammographic breast density within the first year of taking HRT. G’ven that breast density on mammograms is a risk factor for breast cancer, this has added to the concern about taking HRT. This study on red clover isoflavones should add considerable reassurance about breast safety. However, it also confirms at least 2 other studies showing that red clover is not effective for relief of menopause symptoms, while contradicting 2 studies that do show benefit.

Great hairstyles for women over 50 – Part 2

One ageless beauty that I admire is Catherine Deneuve, another Jane Seymour. It is not so much in how one may appear but in how they project themselves.

Albeit, hormonal changes among post menopausal women or lack thereof leads to a decrease in estrogen levels causing ones hair to be drier, with an increase in porosity, and a lackluster appearance. You work with these issues and work to improve them by diet and products with deep-conditioning, good oils in diet e.g.coconut oil(extra-virgin) and your omega 3’s and use products that enhance fullness and increase shine and a healthy appearance.

I believe in the premise that a woman not be afraid to grow her hair below her shoulders and beyond if she knows how to carry it well. Some of our most admired beauties have had long hair past the age of 60 and beyond. The length should be determined by various factors of hair texture, face shape and ones own personal style should always be factored in.

A woman and her own complexities changes her hairstyle to be attractive to the opposite sex, to alter others perceptions of her, e.g. if she looks very young she may go for a style that is shorter to accord her respect among an older age group and to enhance her maturity. I say that in your more mature years to go with what feels good to you, within reason of course. The idea to appear sexy remains foremost in my mind and I refuse to shove that part of me back on a shelf where it remains buried in what I once was but will never be again.Look in that mirror and go for that million dollar look! Get rid of those dowdy clothes, burn them or give them away and go for something fresh. Some beautiful hair clasps that glitter and shine much like yourself. Discover yourself to find what’s right for you.

Keep that hair smooth minus the brittle look with deep conditioners, have it full with a nice layered shag that exhibits a fullness that we tend to lose as we age. A good haircut where you keep the length but shag it, layers are quite beautiful. Be gentle with your hair and if you color try to do it as free of chemicals as possible. Roll it, scrunch it up after that perfect cut and spray in a gorgeous irresistable scent and watch some old movies and see how women carried themselves in a time gone by. Thick, bouncy hair is youthful and when you have those rough looking days pull up your hair at the crown to help encourage that youthful appearance.Men are magnetically drawn to qualities and the sexiest hair length may be a lot longer than once thought.

If your hair falls in a vertical line, limp with no volume you will look like an old hag and your face will be pulled down with hair. A chic shag of various layers slenderizes a round face and adds volume to fine, thinning hair. The cut should make for a fuller look with a freeness about it where it moves with you, kind of strong and sexy. Bangs are awesome with a length at the end of them in order to pull them to the side if you want but if your eyes are a strong feature, being big and luminous and lines plumped out then go for the bangs to enhance those windows of the soul. This will also bring out those cheekbones and add a softness to your look. On those emergency days where there may be a lack of sleep or stressors get that thick, long hair up and off the shoulders and remember shine, shine, shine both in your tresses and in your life.

Red clover and its uses in womens health – Part 6

Red clover- like many herb, it has a lot of uses. It’s grown for its soil enhancing nitrogen fixation, which enriches the soil. Though started in Asia, it has been naturalized and now grows in many areas. Red clover is high in calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C, and isoflavones, a water soluble that acts like estrogen.

There are many tests involving red clover. It is used for menopausal symptoms, breast pains, osteoporosis, and prostate enlargement, though I would guess the last is not of much interest to women. Red clover is a perennial herb, with red or white flowers, only the flowers are used in medicine. To make red clover tea, steep one cup of water over two to three tsp of dried herb.

Red clover is high in isoflavones and phytoestrogens, which are similar to estrogen, a female hormone. Isoflavones help with hot flashes. The isoflavones in red clover increase good lipoprotein cholesterol in pre and post menopausal women, but not all studies agree, some show no help. One study showed stronger, more flexible arteries. It may also thin the blood, which can cut down blood clots.

There are no known side effects, although there are warnings to avoid fermented preparations. The flowers themselves are pretty, although not to many people have clover gardens. They are attractive to bees, so perhaps honey growers could also produce fields of clover. The herb comes in pills and other supplement forms, so perhaps we won’t be seeing red clover in a farmer’s market soon.