Alfalfa | HerbaZest

Health Benefits of Alfalfa 

The alfalfa plant has been historically used to feed humans and animals alike because of its plentiful nutrient content, but modern scientific research has uncovered alfalfa medicinal properties.

The following are the most studied and well-known alfalfa health benefits:

• Relieving PMS and menopausal symptoms. Alfalfa promotes estrogen production, which can contribute to restore hormonal balance during menopause, as well as reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

• Balancing cholesterol levels. Alfalfa properties include the ability of lowering cholesterol absorption, thus helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, alfalfa has been shown to improve the break down process of lipids in the organism, contributing to weight management, and it also has proven useful in the treatment of fungal infections.

How It Works

Alfalfa health benefits have been attributed to several types of phytonutrients, mainly phytosterols, phytoestrogens (coumestrol), alkaloids, amino acids, and saponins.

Alfalfa is a good dietary source of phytoestrogens,which induce similar effects to true estrogens. The similarities, at molecular level, of estrogens and phytoestrogens allow the later to mildly mimic the first, sometimes acting as antagonists. By regulating the production of estrogen, phytoestrogens can be useful in the alternative treatment of low-estrogen conditions, such as hot flashes, during menopause, or the hormonal fluctuations that cause the premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

The saponins in alfalfa have been shown to stimulate the activity of lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fat, helping with metabolic processes and preventing excessive weight gain. On the other hand, phytosterols are plant sterols that compete with and decrease low density lipoproteins (LDL’s) while preserving the good high density lipoproteins (HDL’s). These alfalfa compounds, in combination with saponins, lower the absorption of cholesterol and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Moreover, the medicagenic acid, another type of saponin in alfalfa, has been shown to stop the growth of certain fungal diseases. It has proven effective against Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that infects the lungs and central nervous system.

Similar estrogenic properties can be found in black cohosh, flax, and soy, whereas avocado, olive, and sacha inchi are also able to keep cholesterol levels in check.

Alfalfa Side Effects

Alfalfa is safe for ingestion, but it should not be taken for a long terms in supplement form, since it has been shown to cause similar reactions to those experienced with the autoimmune disease  systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The onset of SLE has been linked to those taking alfalfa tablets regularly.

Alfalfa Cautions

• Alfalfa can cause inflammatory reactions when large amounts of seeds or sprouts are consumed. As a result, people suffering from autoimmune diseases, such as SLE, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis should avoid alfalfa.

• Those diabetics taking medication must be aware that alfalfa can lower blood sugar; therefore, its consumption should be carefully monitored.

• The blood clotting action of alfalfa may negatively interact with blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin, decreasing their effectiveness.

• Due to its estrogenic activity, pregnant women and breast cancer patients should avoid alfalfa altogether.

• Alfalfa can also increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.

It is recommended to seek medical advice before start taking alfalfa to treat any health condition.