Direct answer: red clover, wild yam, sage, hops and soya isoflavones are botanical ingredients commonly found in products sold around the menopause. Their label amounts do not prove a benefit. In Great Britain, the clearest permitted claim in this type of food supplement usually comes from vitamin B6: it contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity when the product meets the claim conditions.
Commercial disclosure: we sell Meno Support Complex, which contains the ingredients discussed below. This guide separates independently sourced facts, current product specifications and permitted claims.
At a glance
| Ingredient | What it is | What to check | Our formula, per capsule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red clover | A legume containing isoflavones | Herb equivalent and any stated standardisation | 800mg herb equivalent |
| Wild yam | A Dioscorea botanical containing diosgenin | Do not mistake it for progesterone | 800mg herb equivalent |
| Sage leaf | Salvia officinalis | Food supplement or licensed herbal medicine? | 200mg herb equivalent |
| Hops | The flower of Humulus lupulus | Plant part, preparation and amount | 80mg herb equivalent |
| Soya isoflavone extract | A concentrated soya extract | Extract weight versus actual isoflavone content | 20mg extract, standardised to 40% |
| Vitamin B6 | An essential vitamin | Amount per capsule and total daily intake | 5mg, 357% NRV |
What does “herb equivalent” mean?
A concentrated botanical extract can be declared as the amount of starting herb used to make it. For example, “800mg herb equivalent” does not necessarily mean that 800mg of powder is physically inside the capsule. It means the extract represents that amount of starting material.
That is a normal labelling convention, but it does not make every 800mg product equivalent. Extract ratio, plant part, extraction method and standardisation can all differ. Compare like with like and be cautious when a seller gives a large milligram number without saying whether it is powder, extract weight or starting-material equivalent.
What is red clover?
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a legume containing isoflavones, plant compounds with structural similarities to oestrogen. That explains why it appears in this category; it does not establish that a particular capsule will relieve symptoms.
The NHS says evidence for herbal remedies used for menopause symptoms is limited, while NICE says there is some evidence for isoflavones but that preparations vary, safety is uncertain and medicine interactions have been reported. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes red-clover findings as inconsistent.
Useful label question: is the product declaring red-clover herb equivalent, the weight of an extract, or the quantity of isoflavones? Those are different figures.
Does wild yam provide progesterone?
No. Wild yam contains diosgenin, which has been used as a raw material to manufacture steroid hormones. That conversion requires laboratory chemistry. Memorial Sloan Kettering notes that there is no evidence that the human body converts diosgenin into progesterone.
A wild-yam supplement should therefore be described as wild yam, with its species, form and quantity. It should not be presented as natural progesterone or as an alternative to prescribed hormone treatment.
Why is sage different?
Sage can appear in two legally different products:
- A sage food supplement sits under food law. It may describe the ingredient and may use only compliant nutrition or health claims.
- A registered traditional herbal medicine carries a THR number and may state the indication covered by its registration.
For example, A.Vogel Menoforce is a licensed traditional herbal medicinal product with a one-tablet daily dose and a registered indication based on long-standing traditional use. Its 3,400mg fresh-sage-tincture statement should not be compared directly with a sage extract in a multi-ingredient food supplement: they are different preparations in different legal categories.
What are hops and soya isoflavones?
Hops (Humulus lupulus) contain several plant compounds, including prenylflavonoids. A label should identify the plant, part, preparation and quantity. Presence on an ingredient list is not proof of a consumer benefit.
Soya isoflavone extracts should show enough information to distinguish the extract from its active fraction. In our formula, 20mg of extract standardised to 40% isoflavones provides 8mg of isoflavones. The product contains soya, which is a declarable allergen.
Which ingredient carries the clearest permitted claim?
In our formula, the authorised claims come from vitamin B6 and zinc, not from a promise that the botanicals treat menopausal symptoms.
- Vitamin B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity. It also contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal psychological function.
- Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal bones, hair, nails, skin and vision, and to normal cognitive function.
These claims may be used only when the product meets the relevant conditions in the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register.
Do the vitamin B6 calculation before buying
Our current specification provides 5mg vitamin B6 per capsule. The directions state one capsule two to three times daily: two capsules provide 10mg and three provide 15mg.
The NHS advises adults not to take more than 10mg of vitamin B6 a day from supplements unless advised by a doctor. Check every supplement you use, because multivitamins and B-complex products can add to the total. If you are considering three capsules a day, seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist first.
Does a longer ingredient list mean a better product?
No. A longer list tells you about breadth, not effectiveness. Check the exact amount, form, daily dose, allergens, cautions and whether the statement beside an ingredient is a permitted claim or merely an implication.
How we checked this guide
Our own quantities were checked against the current Meno Support Complex product specification on 2 August 2026. Legal wording was checked against the current GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register, CAP guidance and MHRA information. Evidence and safety context were checked against NHS, NICE and NCCIH guidance.
Sources
- NHS: herbal remedies and complementary medicines for menopause symptoms
- NICE guideline NG23: menopause identification and management
- NCCIH: red clover usefulness and safety
- Memorial Sloan Kettering: wild yam
- GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register
- NHS: vitamin B6
Related guides
- What can UK menopause-aisle products legally claim?
- UK menopause-aisle products compared
- How to read a supplement label line by line
Reviewed 2 August 2026. Always read the label. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Ask a doctor or pharmacist for personal advice, particularly if you use medicines, have a hormone-sensitive condition, are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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