Also Known As:
Medicago, Purple Medick,
Scientific Name:
Medicago sativa
Botanic Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae.
People Use This For:
Alfalfa is used as a diuretic, for kidney conditions, bladder and
prostate conditions, asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
diabetes, indigestion, and thrombocytopenic purpura. It is also
used orally as a source of vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals
calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron.
Constituents: Alfalfa contains Protein Vitamin
D, Calcium plus other minerals, B Vitamins, Vitamin C,
Vitamin E and Vitamin K.
Safety:
Likely Safe: When the leaves are used orally and
appropriately (1,2,3). Avoid excessive amounts of seeds
long-term. Consult a medical herbalist if used in more than usual
dietary amounts (1,4).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Consult a medical herbalist
if used in more than usual dietary amounts (1,4).
Scientific knowledge of
effectiveness: There is insufficient
scientific information available about the effectiveness of
alfalfa.
Mechanism of Action: The leaves and sprouts
contain saponins. The saponins appear to decrease serum
cholesterol, but not triglycerides, by binding cholesterol and
decreasing its absorption(6,7).
Alfalfa leaves also contain triterpene glycosides including
medicagol, which appear to have antifungal and antibacterial
activity (15,16). The isoflavonoids coumetrol, genistein,
biochanin A, and daidzein have also been isolated and may be
responsible for alfalfas reported estrogenic effects (17).
Adverse Reactions: Alfalfa herb is well
tolerated at usual dietary doses (1,2,3). Associations of Alfalfa
with autoimmune disease relate to the seeds, mostly in animal
studies.
Interactions with Herbs &
Supplements: VITAMIN E: Alfalfa
contains saponins which may interfere with the absorption or
activity of vitamin E (17).
Interactions with Drugs:
CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS Excessive doses of
alfalfa may interfere with contraceptive drugs. Alfalfa contains
isoflavonoids with estrogenic effects (1). Herb teas would not
constitute excessive doses in usual amounts on a daily basis.
ESTROGENS Excessive doses of alfalfa may
interfere with hormone therapy due to estrogenic effects of
isoflavonoids alfalfa (1). Herb teas would not constitute
excessive doses in usual amounts on a daily basis.
IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS Alfalfa seeds may
influence the immune system (8, 9,13). This is not relevant to
leaves used in herbal teas.
PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS Excessive doses of
alfalfa may potentiate photosensitivity induced by antipsychotic
drugs (18). Herb teas of the leaves would not constitute
excessive doses in usual amounts on a daily basis.
WARFARIN (Coumadin) Alfalfa contains large
amount of vitamin K (1,2) which may reduce the activity of
warfarin.
Interactions with Foods: None known.
Interactions with Lab Tests:
CHOLESTEROL: Alfalfa seed might lower serum
cholesterol concentrations and test results in individuals with
type II hyperlipoproteinemia (1). Alfalfa leaves may reduce total
Cholesterol(6,7).
Interactions with Diseases or Conditions:
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: alfalfa seed (not herb as
found in Dr Clare’s Herb Tea Blends) might have immunostimulant
effects in animal studies (8, 9,13).
DIABETES: Alfalfa might reduce blood sugar
levels; monitor closely (1). Patients may have reduced
requirement for blood sugar reducing medications, introduce
slowly and increase the amount gradually. Advise patients to
check blood blood sugar a little more frequently and discuss any
changes with their medical adviser.
HORMONE SENSITIVE CANCERS/CONDITIONS: Because
alfalfa may have estrogenic effects (17), women with hormone
sensitive conditions should avoid alfalfa in doses in excess of
usual dietary amounts.
Consult a medical Herbalist
KIDNEY TRANSPLANT: Avoid with immune suppressant
drugs. Alfalfa is thought to have immune stimulating effects that
might counteract the immunosuppressant effects of cyclosporine
(8).
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE): Long-term
use of alfalfa seed products may reactivate latent SLE. There are
two case reports of patients experiencing disease flare after
taking alfalfa seed products long-term (19). Tell patients with a
history of SLE or drug-induced lupus reactions to avoid alfalfa
seed products until more information is known.
Dosage/Administration:
ORAL: A typical dosage is 5-10 grams, or as steeped strained tea,
three times a day (1). Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol) 5-10
mL three times a day has also been used (1).
Comment Dr Clare
Alfalfa leaves within usual dietary amounts only are used in Dr
Clare’s Tea Blends. The problem with research is that animal
studies are extrapolated to humans, in fact the herb to be tested
may not ever be eaten by the test species of animal as part of
their normal diet. Therefore they may not have the appropriate
enzyme systems to digest the herb rendering it toxic to that
animal where it would be properly metabolosed by humans. Seeds
are especially nutrient packed with added potential for
inappropriate reactions in animal studies under these conditions.
There is virtually no research on the Alfalfa herb, it has been
used as part of a normal diet and as a medicine for over 1.500
years with an excellent safety record.
Specific reference: Alfalfa
1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide
for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical
Press, 1996.
2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St.
Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
3. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal
Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL:
CRC Press, LLC 1997.
4. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients
Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John
Wiley & Sons, 1996.
5. Molgaard J, von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low
density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B
concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia.
Atherosclerosis 1987;65:173-9.
6. Story JA, LePage SL, Petro MS, et al. Interactions of alfalfa
plant and sprout saponins with cholesterol in vitro and in
cholesterol-fed rats. Am J Clin Nutr 1984;39:917-29.
7. Malinow MR, McLaughlin P, et al. Comparative effects of
alfalfa saponins and alfalfa fiber on cholesterol absorption in
rats. Am J Clin Nutr 1979;32:1810-2.
8. Light TD, Light JA. Acute renal transplant rejection possibly
related to herbal medications. Am J Transplant 2003;3:1608-9.
9. Alcocer-Varela J, Iglesias A, Llorente L, Alarcon-Segovia D.
Effects of L-canavanine on T cells may explain the induction of
systemic lupus erythematosus by alfalfa. Arthritis Rheum
1985;28:52-7. Montanaro A, Bardana EJ Jr. Dietary amino
acid-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.
10. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1991;17:323-32.
11. Bardana EJ Jr, Malinow MR, Houghton DC, et al. Diet-induced
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in primates. Am J Kidney Dis
1982;1:345-52
12.Malinow MR, Bardana EJ Jr, Goodnight SH Jr. Pancytopenia
during ingestion of alfalfa seeds.
13.Prete PE. The mechanism of action of L-canavanine in inducing
autoimmune phenomena. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:1198-200.
14. Swanston-Flatt SK, Day C, Bailey CJ, Flatt PR. Traditional
plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and
streptozotocin diabetic mice. Diabetologia 1990;33:462-4.
15.Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients
Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John
Wiley & Sons, 1996.
16.Zehavi U, Polacheck I. Saponins as antimycotic agents:
glycosides of medicagenic acid. Adv Exp Med Biol 1996;404:535-46.
17.Timbekova AE, Isaev MI, Abubakirov NK. Chemistry and
biological activity of triterpenoid glycosides from Medicago
sativa. Adv Exp Med Biol 1996;405:171-82.
18. Brown R. Potential interactions of herbal medicines with
antipsychotics, antidepressants and hypnotics. Eur J Herbal
Med 1997;3:25-8.
19. ƒarber JM, Carter AO, Varughese PV, et al. Listeriosis traced
to the consumption of alfalfa tablets and soft cheese
[Letter to the Editor]. N Engl J Med 1990;322:338.
20.
Roberts JL, Hayashi JA. Exacerbation of SLE associated
with alfalfa ingestion. N Engl J Med 1983;308:1361.