Alfalfa: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Luzern, lucerne, large clover
Scientific name(s)
Medicago sativa L.
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Flavonoids
Phytoestrogens
Saponins
Vitamin K
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Menopause ✪✪✪✪✪
Alfalfa possesses estrogenic activity, hence its interest in menopause characterized by an estrogen deficiency. Alfalfa helps reduce hot flashes and other signs related to estrogen deficiency such as osteoporosis. Some studies have shown stabilization of bone density loss.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 - 10 g
Women
SALONIEMI H., WÄHÄLÄ K., et al. "Phytoestrogen content and estrogenic effect of legume fodder". Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. January 1995. Vol. 208, No. 1, p. 13–17
BOTINEAU M. Systematic and Applied Botany of Flowering Plants. Paris: Éd. Tec & Doc: Lavoisier. 2010. 1335 p.
NIKANDER E., RUTANEN E. et al. "Lack of effect of isoflavonoids on the vagina and endometrium in postmenopausal women". Fertility and Sterility. January 2005. Vol. 83, No. 1, p. 137–142.
Hypercholesterolemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Oral intake of alfalfa seeds may reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins) in patients with high cholesterol levels.
Posologie
Oral: seed
120 g
8 - weeks
Adults
Osteoporosis ✪✪✪✪✪
The mineral content and Vitamin K in Alfalfa make it a good choice to strengthen bone tissue. Its significant manganese content (45.5 mg/kg) also supports this use. However, it is not supported by clinical studies.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 g
Hair Loss ✪✪✪✪✪
Thanks to phytoestrogens and its mineral richness, alfalfa can benefit women during menopause. Indeed, the decrease in estrogens promotes hair loss.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 g
Convalescence ✪✪✪✪✪
Thanks to its richness in vitamins and minerals, alfalfa is traditionally used as a stimulant and tonic after blood loss and during anemia. It also improves appetite and intellect. It can be associated with oats, which is traditionally recommended in this indication.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 g
Synergies
Properties
Estrogenic Action
Alfalfa is a plant with estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. A study on rats shows that the estrogenic effect of lucerne is mainly due to the presence of coumestrol. Indeed, coumestrol and 4-methoxycoumestrol are estrogenic agonists and bind to estrogen receptors showing an uterotrophic activity.
Usages associés
Remineralizer
Alfalfa is traditionally used for its richness in minerals and trace elements: calcium, silica, iron, phosphorus as well as copper, zinc, and selenium. Manganese is found in relatively high concentrations in alfalfa.
Usages associés
Cholesterol-lowering
In vivo studies have shown that alfalfa saponins significantly reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption and plasma total cholesterol/HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol ratio, and increase fecal steroid and bile acid excretion. Furthermore, alfalfa prevents in vivo LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) oxidation via the synergistic action of flavonoids and phytoestrogens.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
It has been demonstrated in vivo, on diabetic mouse models, that alfalfa stimulates the incorporation of glucose as glycogen in the abdominal muscle and possesses properties similar to insulin.
Anticancer
L-canaverine, a protein isolated from the plant, has shown antitumor activity against certain types of leukemic cells in mice and selective toxicity on cultivated dog cancer cells in vitro. 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, a carcinogenic agent, binds to Alfalfa when the colon pH is between 10.5 and 12, and it has been proposed to have protective properties against chemically induced colon cancer.
Safety dosage
Adult from 18 year(s): 5 g - 10 g (powder)
A general dosing schedule is 5 to 10 g of dried herb taken 3 times a day. For the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, seeds can be taken at a dose of 40 g 3 times a day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Warfarin: strong interaction
Alfalfa contains vitamin K, which can reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Antidiabetic: moderate interaction
Research in animals suggests that Alfalfa decreases blood sugar levels. Furthermore, a human case report suggests it may cause hypoglycemia in some diabetic patients. This effect appears to be due to relatively high concentrations of manganese in Alfalfa. Theoretically, Alfalfa may have additive effects when used with antidiabetic medications.
Immunosuppressant: moderate interaction
Alfalfa might stimulate immune responses. Theoretically, it can interfere with immunosuppressant treatment.
Estrogens: moderate interaction
Large doses of Alfalfa may interfere with hormone therapy due to its estrogenic effects.
Precautions
Type 2 Diabetes: use with caution
Alfalfa has been associated with decreased blood sugar levels in animal studies.
Pregnant women: avoid
Alfalfa has potential estrogenic effects. It is advised not to consume therapeutically by pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Alfalfa has potential estrogenic effects. It is advised not to consume therapeutically by pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Contraindications
Autoimmune Diseases: prohibited
Preliminary evidence suggests that Alfalfa can have immunostimulating effects. Theoretically, lucerne can exacerbate autoimmune diseases by stimulating disease activity. A reactivation of disseminated lupus erythematosus was observed after prolonged use of Alfalfa seed-based products.
Hormone-sensitive Disease: prohibited
Alfalfa appears to have estrogenic effects. Women with hormone-sensitive conditions should avoid consuming it. Some of these conditions include breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers, as well as endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: prohibited
Long-term use of Alfalfa-based products may reactivate the disease. There are case reports of patients experiencing disease flares after taking Alfalfa seed-based products for an extended period.
