Red clover is a dark pink herbaceous flowering plant that contains coumestrol, a potent phytoestrogen and antioxidant.  Due to its low molecular weight, coumestrol can pass through cell membranes and mimic the biological activities of estrogen whilst reducing the activity of reactive oxidative species.

Coumestrol has a similar binding affinity to estradiol to estrogen receptors, though the effect of coumestrol binding is lower than estradiol. As an anti-oxidising agent, coumestrol can reduce inflammation and encourage the repair of the hair follicle niche.