Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a perennial herb that grows in variety of climate throughout the world and is promoted as a dietary supplement for human consumption in recent years.

It was first discovered by the Arabs and is considered as a ‘Queen of forage plants’. Alfalfa is able to absorb the nutrients from the soil in a better way because of it s deep rooted system. Alfalfa is categorized as legumes containing eight essential amino acids, rich source of certain vitamins, minerals as well as chlorophyll and has a long list of medical and dietary uses.

Alfalfa leaves contain sterols, flavones, isoflavones and comarin derivatives.

Alfalfa and health benefits

Alfalfa is a rich source of various vitamins and minerals like vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K and minerals like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and antioxidant tricin.
Alfalfa is used as a tonic for loss of appetite, indigestion, poor assimilation of nutrients, as a natural diuretic and also as a good laxative.
Unclear scientific evidence also shows reduction in cholesterol levels and thus helps in preventing atherosclerosis. It also helps in diabetes in lowering the blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin levels.
Due to the natural anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties present in alfalfa it is used in the treatment of gout, arthritis, peptic ulcer, liver disorders and certain cancers.
Alfalfa plant also stimulates lactation in nursing mothers.
Alfalfa seeds are sprouted and are used as a healthy option in diet to enhance health.
Alfalfa leaves tea is used these days to promote appetite, gain weight, assimilation of proteins, certain vitamins and minerals and to stop bleeding.

Alfalfa is generally safe if taken as instructed by a herbalist, however is consumed in large doses can have these side effects -

Alfalfa supplements should be taken with a word of caution for pregnant ladies as it contains stachydrine and homostachydrine which promotes menstruation and thus can lead to miscarriages in some cases.

Although a source of iron, alfalfa also contains saponins that interfere with dietary iron absorption and thus having adverse effects on iron status of an individual in the body.
Large quantities if alfalfa seeds when consumed over a period of time can lead to pancytopenia, a type of blood disorder which causes deterioration of blood platelets that are responsible for blood clotting and white blood cells.
Alfalfa should be avoided for a person with some auto immune problem.

Alfalfa is also available as a dietary supplement in the form of tablets, capsules and liquid extracts. The dose should be decided by your health care provider in that case. One cannot be deficient as alfalfa is not an essential nutrient, but adding it to our diet would be surely beneficial for many individuals.

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