Alfalfa - Medicago Sativa

Medicago sativa, common name alfalfa, is a short perennial herbaceous plant in the Fabaceae or bean family. It is native to South Central Asia but has since spread around the globe as livestock forage in temperate zones and is widely called lucern. The leaves, sprouts, and seeds are used medicinally, and the sprouts are a popular food.

The main active compounds in alfalfa are glycosides, saponins, estrogens, and phenolics. Because alfalfa is a source of phytoestrogens, grazing on alfalfa can cause temporary reduced fertility in sheep. Alfalfa is known as mu-su in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is used as a tonic herb to nourish the body. The saponins in alfalfa act on the cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive systems making it a whole-body treatment to restore general health. It is believed to stimulate appetite and digestion, treat ulcers, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, fever, menstrual and lactation disorders.

Alfalfa is thought to aid in cancer prevention, but studies are mixed. Some studies have shown that it prevents cancer cell replication and promotes apoptosis. It is also rich in flavonoids, which are known to help prevent cancer by being strongly antioxidant.¹

Dosing: Infusion: 5–10 g dried aerial parts, 3 times per day. Tincture: 5–10 ml 3x day Seeds: For treating high cholesterol, a dose of 40 g of heated seeds taken by mouth 3 times daily has been recommended 

Side effects: increased fecal volume, diarrhea, flatulence.

Contraindications: People with a history of lupus or a family history of systemic lupus erythematosus should avoid M. sativa supplements. M. sativa seeds should not be ingested during pregnancy or lactation without consulting your doctor. Due to purines, gout sufferers should avoid alfalfa. Do not take it with birth control pills or HRT without consulting your doctor.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and this product is not intended to treat or cure any diseases.

¹ Gatouillat G, Magid AA, Bertin E, El btaouri H, Morjani H, Lavaud C, Madoulet C. Medicarpin and millepurpan, two flavonoids isolated from Medicago sativa, induce apoptosis and overcome multidrug resistance in leukemia P388 cells. Phytomedicine. 2015 Dec 1;22(13):1186-94. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2015.09.005. Epub 2015 Oct 24. PMID: 26598918.