Alfalfa: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Lucerne, alfalfa, large clover
Scientific name(s)
Medicago sativa L.
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Flavonoids
Phytoestrogens
Saponins
Vitamin K
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Menopause ✪✪✪✪✪
Alfalfa has estrogenic activity, which explains its usefulness in menopause, a condition characterized by estrogen deficiency. Alfalfa helps reduce hot flashes and other symptoms related to estrogen deficiency such as osteoporosis. Some studies have shown a stabilization of bone density loss.
Posologie
By mouth: 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, pp. 13-17
BOTINEAU M. Systematic and Applied Botany of Flowering Plants. Paris: Ed. 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, pp. 137-142.
Hypercholesterolemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Oral intake of alfalfa seeds may reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoproteins) in patients with elevated cholesterol levels.
Posologie
By mouth: seed
120 g
8 - weeks
Adults
Osteoporosis ✪✪✪✪✪
Alfalfa's mineral and vitamin K content, in particular, make it a good choice to strengthen bone tissue. Its high manganese content (45.5 mg/kg) also tends to support this use. However, it is not supported by clinical studies.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 g
Hair loss ✪✪✪✪✪
Thanks to its phytoestrogens and richness in minerals, alfalfa may benefit women during menopause. Indeed, the decrease in estrogens promotes hair loss.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 g
Convalescence ✪✪✪✪✪
Because of its richness in vitamins and minerals, alfalfa has traditionally been used as a stimulant and tonic after blood loss and during anemia. It also improves appetite and intellect. It may be associated with oats, which are traditionally recommended for this indication.
Posologie
Oral: leaf
5 g
Synergies
Properties
Estrogenic action
Alfalfa is a plant that has estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. A study in rats shows that the estrogenic effect of alfalfa is due in particular to the presence of coumestrol. Indeed, coumestrol and 4-methoxycoumestrol are estrogenic agonists and bind to estrogen receptors, exhibiting uterotrophic activity.
Usages associés
Remineralizing
Alfalfa has traditionally been 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 the plasma total cholesterol/HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol ratio, and increase the fecal excretion of steroids and bile acids. Furthermore, alfalfa prevents LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) oxidation in vivo through the synergistic action of flavonoids and phytoestrogens.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
It has been demonstrated in vivo, in diabetic mouse models, that alfalfa stimulates the incorporation of glucose as glycogen into abdominal muscle and has properties similar to those of insulin.
Anticancer
L-canavanine, a protein isolated from the plant, has shown antitumor activity against certain types of leukemic cells in mice and selective toxicity against canine cancer cells cultured in vitro. 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine, a carcinogenic agent, binds to alfalfa when the colon pH is between 10.5 and 12, and alfalfa has been proposed to have protective properties against chemically induced colon cancer.
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 5 g - 10 g (powder)
A general dosing regimen is 5 to 10 g of the dried herb taken 3 times a day. For the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, the seeds may be taken at a dose of 40 g 3 times a day.
Interactions
Médicaments
Warfarin: major interaction
Alfalfa contains vitamin K, which can reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Antidiabetic drugs: moderate interaction
Animal studies suggest that Alfalfa lowers blood glucose. Additionally, a human case report suggests it may cause hypoglycemia in some diabetic patients. This effect appears to be due to relatively high manganese concentrations in Alfalfa. Theoretically, Alfalfa may have additive effects when used with antidiabetic medications.
Immunosuppressants: moderate interaction
Alfalfa may stimulate immune responses. Theoretically, it could interfere with immunosuppressive therapy.
Estrogens: moderate interaction
High doses of alfalfa can interfere with hormone therapy due to its estrogenic effects.
Precautions
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Alfalfa has been associated with a reduction in blood glucose in animal studies.
Pregnant women: avoid
Alfalfa may have estrogenic effects. It is advised not to consume it in therapeutic amounts during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Alfalfa may have estrogenic effects. It is recommended not to use it in therapeutic amounts in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Contraindications
Autoimmune diseases: contraindicated
Preliminary evidence suggests that Alfalfa may have immunostimulant effects. Theoretically, alfalfa could exacerbate autoimmune diseases by stimulating disease activity. Reactivation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been observed after prolonged use of products made from Alfalfa seeds.
Hormone-sensitive conditions: contraindicated
Alfalfa appears to have estrogenic effects. Women with hormone-sensitive disorders should avoid using it. Some of these conditions include cancers of the breast, uterus, and ovary, as well as endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
Systemic lupus erythematosus: contraindicated
Long-term use of Alfalfa-based products may reactivate the disease. There are case reports of patients who experienced a disease flare after taking Alfalfa seed–based products for a prolonged period.
