Medicago sativa

Common Name: Alfalfa

Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)

Parts used: Aerial parts

Constituents: High mineral and vitamin content, rich in protein, carotene, calcium, iron, magnesium, trace minerals, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Isoflavones (biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, genistein). Coumestans (coumestrol, 5-methoxy-4’-O-methylcoumestrol, 4’-O-methylcoumestrol, sativol, medicagol, 3’-methoxycoumestrol, trifoliol, lucernol). Alkaloids (aspragine, trigonelline). Saponins and porphyrins.

Taste/smell: Bland

Tendencies: Cooling, moistening

Actions

• Phytoestrogenic (has both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects)

• Restorative tonic on the reproductive system

• Galactagogue (stimulates lactation and increases the quality of breast milk)

• Nutritive

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antibacterial

• Diuretic

• Anti-atherosclerotic

• Cholesterol-lowering

Uses

• Hyperestrogenic conditions:

  • Breast cancer

  • Ovarian cancer

• Hypoestrogenic conditions:

  • Menopause and post-menopause

  • Osteoporosis

• Endometriosis

• Nursing mothers

• Chronic degenerative diseases

• Atherosclerosis

• Hypercholesterolemia

Dosage

• Tincture (1:5): 80-100 drops (4-5 mL) TID

• Tea infusion: 1 tbsp per cup; 1-2 cups TID

Contraindications

• Pregnancy (constituent stachydrine causes uterine stimulant effect)

• Fertility problems (coumestans and isoflavones decrease fertility)

• Spoiled alfalfa sprouts can exacerbate lupus symptoms in those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

• Use of blood-thinning agents like coumarin (warfarin) or indandione (anisindione)

• Allergic hypersensitivity to Fabaceae family

Adverse Effects

• None known

Toxicity

• None known

Interactions

• None known