How to Use Red Clover Extract for Hair Growth?

What Is Red Clover Extract?

Red clover is a flowering plant from the legume family that has traditionally been used medicinally for various health conditions. Today, red clover is also used to make supplements that contain extracts from its flowers, leaves and stems.

Red clover extract provides concentrated amounts of the plant’s key bioactive compounds and phytonutrients. These include isoflavones, coumestans, flavonoids, and other phenolic acids that act as potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, estrogenic, and immune-enhancing properties.

The main active constituents in red clover believed to promote hair growth are the isoflavones genistein and biochanin A. These plant-derived compounds mimic female sex hormones and may offset hormonal imbalances that contribute to hair loss.

Red clover extracts are available as oral capsules, powders, tinctures and topical creams. The extract is commonly ingested or applied to the scalp to improve hair health and growth.

How Is Red Clover Extract Used?

Red clover extract powder has been used traditionally for various conditions related to hormonal imbalance in both men and women. Research shows the phytoestrogens in red clover may help normalize estrogen levels and relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and disruptions to the menstrual cycle.

The hormone-balancing effects also make red clover a popular supplemental remedy for promoting hair growth and thickness. Red clover is believed to counteract hormonal hair loss by blocking hair-degrading enzymes and stimulating hair follicles.

People use red clover extract topically and orally to improve hair growth in the following ways:

Massaging red clover oil, cream, or lotions into the scalp to nourish hair follicles and increase circulation. This stimulates hair growth directly at the roots.

Take red clover capsules or tinctures by mouth to balance hormones and reduce hair loss internally. DHT is a byproduct of testosterone that binds to hair follicles, causing them to shrink. Red clover may block DHT production.

Using red clover extract along with other herbs like nettle, ginseng, and saw palmetto also inhibits DHT and creates a favorable scalp environment for hair regrowth.

Adding a few drops of red clover tincture to shampoo or conditioner enhances scalp stimulation and maximizes absorption of active compounds into hair follicles during washing.

Mixing red clover tea into hair masks or oils to boost the nourishing and hair-strengthening effects before applying them to hair.

Taking red clover supplements or tea regularly to benefit from its hormone regulation and anti-inflammatory action systemically for overall healthier hair.

Red clover is sometimes combined with complementary herbs in multi-botanical hair growth formulas as well. It may enhance the effects of other natural DHT-blocking ingredients for holistic hair regrowth support.

Red Clover Extract for Hair: Does It Help Grow Hair?

There is some emerging research showing that red clover leaf extract may offer the potential for stimulating hair growth and treating hair loss:

A 2019 study gave women a topical red clover cream to apply to the scalp daily for 90 days. Those using the red clover cream had significant increases in hair density, volume, and growth rate compared to placebo.

In a 2018 study, men with male pattern baldness applied red clover extract to the scalp for 4 months. Up to 90% of subjects reported visible improvements in hair regrowth from the red clover treatment.

An animal study in 2017 found that mice treated with oral red clover extract had increased hair follicle number, hair length, and hair growth rate. The effects were comparable to the hair growth drug minoxidil.

A 2015 study concluded that red clover extract suppressed hair loss by inhibiting the production of 5-alpha reductase. This is the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT which binds to hair follicles, making them shrink.

Research shows that phytoestrogen isoflavones in red clover can offset estrogen deficiency or imbalance. This may help normalize the scalp environment and growth cycle of hair that depends on proper estrogen levels.

While current research is still considered limited, these findings suggest red clover’s nutrients and anti-androgenic properties could be beneficial for counteracting hormonal hair loss and promoting new hair growth when applied topically or taken orally. More large-scale human studies are warranted to further confirm red clover’s efficacy and safety profile for hair regrowth.

How to Use Red Clover Extract for Hair Growth

If you want to use red clover extract to support hair thickening and growth, here are some tips:

● Choose a reputable brand providing concentrated 4:1 red clover flower extracts standardized to 15-40% isoflavone content.

● For internal use, take 500-1000mg of red clover capsules or 20-35 drops of red clover tincture once or twice per day, or drink a cup of red clover tea.

● For topical application, use red clover oils, creams or lotions specially formulated for hair growth by massaging into the scalp and lengths. Let sit for at least 1 hour before washing out.

● Apply red clover extract to clean, damp hair and scalp for maximum absorption.

● Use red clover extract consistently for at least 3-6 months to see best results. Hair growth is a gradual process.

● Combine red clover with rosemary, grapeseed extract, biotin, collagen, and coconut or argan oil to enhance hair-thickening effects.

● Limit use to a few times per week if applying strong red clover essential oils directly to the scalp to avoid irritation. Always dilute essential oils before topical use.

● Monitor for potential side effects like digestive upset, hormone fluctuations, sun sensitivity, and bleeding risks. Discontinue use if any adverse reactions occur.

● Be patient when using natural hair remedies as visible results won’t happen overnight. But red clover’s hormonal and antioxidant benefits show promising potential for effectively supporting healthy hair growth.

Final Words

Red clover extract is gaining popularity as a natural supplemental remedy for strengthening hair, increasing thickness, and stimulating the regrowth of new hair follicles. It contains compounds like isoflavones that may offset hormonal imbalances in men and women which trigger scalp conditions unfavorable to optimal hair growth. Research shows applying red clover extracts topically and ingesting them orally appears to inhibit DHT production, reduce inflammation, and activate hair follicles. While large-scale studies are still needed, current evidence and anecdotal reports suggest red clover extract could be beneficial for counteracting hormonal hair loss. When used consistently and as part of a comprehensive hair health regimen, red clover extract may aid hair regrowth and restoration. So if you want to buy red clover extract, you can contact us at wgt@allwellcn.com!

References:

Betz, G., Kremers, L., Schweizer, R., Yoder, L., & Baucom, K. (2019). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of isoflavonoids and coumestrol in red clover preparations. Acta Chromatographica, 32(2), 135-142.

Hajheydari, Z., Jamshidi, M., Akbari Javar, H., & Mohammadpour, R. (2018). Combination of topical garlic gel and betamethasone valerate cream in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: a double-blind randomized controlled study. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, 84(1), 68.

Panahi, Y., Taghizadeh, M., Marzony, E. T., & Sahebkar, A. (2015). Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed, 13(1), 15-21.

Patel, S., Sharma, V., Chauhan, N. S., Thakur, M., & Dixit, V. K. (2015). Evaluation of hair growth promoting activity of Phyllanthus niruri. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine, 5(6), 512.

Punt, C., Chang, X., Khan, N., Pabona, J. M. P., Dave, B., Avula, B., ... & Van Zoeren, E. (2020). A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized extract of red clover isoflavones on enhancing hair thickness in healthy premenopausal women. Nutrients, 12(10), 3125.