Alfalfa is a plant in the pea family, making it a legume. It contains a variety of nutrients, according to Dr. Tarlok Singh Sahota of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station. Alfalfa provides eight amino acids, which the body needs in order to build proteins. It also provides a wide range of vitamins, as well as minerals such as calcium. Taking an alfalfa supplement may provide health benefits---as with all supplements, however, check with your doctor before you begin taking alfalfa.
Vitamins
Alfalfa supplements provide a wide range of vitamins including Vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E and K, according to Dr. Vic Shayne, Ph.D. It also contains necessary minerals including calcium, iron and zinc. Alfalfa absorbs nutrients from soil---and it synthesizes the nutrients from sunlight, according to Dr. Sahota. Alfalfa seeds, which may be included in alfalfa supplements, contain about 35 percent protein.
Digestive Problems
Alfalfa has been used to treat digestive troubles in many cultures worldwide, according to Sprout Kitchen. In ancient China and India, doctors used young alfalfa leaves to treat digestive problems and kidney trouble. Indian societies also used alfalfa seeds mashed into a poultice to treat boils and used alfalfa plants to treat arthritis and water retention. Alfalfa may also be helpful for people with diabetes or who are trying to lose weight, according to the Vitamins and Health Supplements Guide.
Hormonal Imbalances
Alfalfa supplements may be particularly useful for treating hormonal imbalances, according to Dr. Vic Shayne. This is because alfalfa contains phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are similar to human estrogen, and the human body can often use them in place of its own estrogen when it cannot make enough estrogen for normal body functions. Adding an alfalfa supplement may therefore be helpful for treating menopause symptoms or other hormonal imbalances. Since hormonal imbalance can be a sign of a serious health problem, check with your doctor before using alfalfa supplements to treat hormonal symptoms.
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