Alfalfa is most commonly used as a food source for livestock, and alfalfa sprouts are also widely available as food for people as well. You can also find herbal supplements made from alfalfa leaves and heat-treated seeds. Alfalfa supplements are used for nutritional support and to treat several medical conditions. You can take alfalfa in the form of tablets, capsules, liquid extracts, tea or tincture.
Provides Essential Vitamins
If you have certain nutritional deficiencies or lack some vitamins, taking alfalfa may help. Alfalfa is rich in vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E and K, as well as protein, calcium, iron and zinc, says the University of Michigan Health System. Often used as a nutrient-rich food for livestock, the name alfalfa is derived from "al-fac-facah," which in Arabic means "father of all foods," according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Due to its high nutrient content, you can take alfalfa as a vitamin supplement in the form of a tea, tablet or capsule.
Eases Menopausal Symptoms
If you're going through menopause, alfalfa may help relieve your symptoms. Although alfalfa hasn't been studied in humans for relieving menopausal symptoms, laboratory test tube studies have confirmed that alfalfa contains plant estrogens, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Alfalfa's plant estrogens, called isoflavones, have produced estrogen-like actions in animal studies as well, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Because menopausal women suffer from low estrogen levels, which causes symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety and depression, alfalfa's isoflavones may help correct this hormonal imbalance and subsequently reduce the symptoms.
Treats High Cholesterol
Alfalfa may help treat high cholesterol and stop the growth of arterial plaque. Alfalfa leaves contain 2- to 3-percent saponins, which stop cholesterol absorption and plaque formation, according to the University of Michigan Health System. A small human study found that taking 120g of alfalfa seeds for two months slightly lowered cholesterol levels. But ingesting this large quantity of alfalfa seeds may pose dangers,such as damaging red blood cells, the University of Michigan says. Other animal and human studies have found that alfalfa extracts from the roots, leaves and seeds may reduce cholesterol levels, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Treats Diabetes
Alfalfa has been used in traditional medicine as a supplemental treatment for diabetes. Animal studies have found that taking large quantities of liquid extract from alfalfa leaves can stimulate insulin release, according to the University of Michigan Health System. No studies on alfalfa's use for treating diabetes in humans have been performed, however.
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