Alfalfa is a perennial plant that originated in Asia and has been part of traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years. Alfalfa provides several minerals, including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc, and most essential vitamins. It also contains a number of biologically active compounds that may support your health and help relieve symptoms of some disorders. Consult your doctor to discuss whether taking alfalfa supplements is advisable for you.
Properties
Alfalfa, or Medicago sativa, is also called buffalo herb or purple medic. The plant contains compounds called saponins, a type of fat, and other natural chemicals called flavonoids and alkaloids. Alfalfa is also very rich in fiber and a natural source of fluoride, which is important for bones and teeth. It also contains a high concentration of chlorophyll, an effective antioxidant.
Effect on Cholesterol
High levels of blood cholesterol raise your risk for cardiovascular problems, including atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. The high content of saponins and fiber in alfalfa may help keep your cholesterol level in a healthy range. In a small clinical study of subjects with high cholesterol published in the journal "Atherosclerosis" in 1987, subjects who consumed alfalfa for 8 weeks experienced a 30 percent decrease in low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol, compared to other subjects who took a placebo. These are promising results that suggest alfalfa may help lower cholesterol, although larger studies are still needed.
Other Benefits
Alfalfa contains alkaloids called stachydrine and l-homo-stachydrine, hormonelike compounds that may promote production of breast milk in pregnant women and may lessen symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and menopause. Practitioners also recommend the powdered herb as a general digestive aid. Its rich content of insoluble fiber helps move food through the digestive tract more quickly and provides bulk to your stool, preventing constipation and promoting regularity. Finally, the antioxidant properties of chlorophyll in alfalfa may be beneficial to the liver, helping it inactivate toxins and drugs in your blood.
Recommendations and Precautions
Dried and powdered alfalfa is available from most health food stores in capsules or as tablets. The usual dosage is 250 to 1000 mg, taken two or three times daily. Although generally considered a safe supplement, do not take alfalfa if you have systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have a hormone-sensitive condition. Alfalfa may interact with some medications, including diabetes medicines, diuretics and immunosuppressives. Discuss its use in detail with your doctor before adding it to your routine.
References
- MedlinePlus: Alfalfa
- Guide To Herbal Remedies: Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Alfalfa
- Vitamins and Health Supplements Guide: Alfalfa
- Nutrtitional Supplements Health Guide: The Many Benefits of the Alfalfa Plant
- "Atherosclerosis;" Alfalfa Seeds Lower Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol....; J. Molgaard et al.; 1987
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