Natural Products

Alfalfa

Medicago sativa, Luzerne

Efficacy

• Indications with proven efficacy:
  None
• Indications with possible, but poorly documented efficacy - the use of this product cannot be recommended:
  Hypercholesterolemia
• Also used for these other indications, but with no proof of efficacy:
  Arthritis
  Asthma
  Diabetes
  Indigestion
  Kidney and bladder problems
  Prostate problems
  

Security

• Risk of Drug Interactions: Moderate
• Adverse Effects: Not Frequent

What is it?

Alfalfa is a perennial plant of the Leguminosea family. It is largely cultivated world wide as a forage plant to feed animals. Alfalfa also occupies a growing place in the human diet as a valid source of proteins, calcium, trace elements, carotenoids and vitamins A, C, E and K.

Even though alfalfa has been attributed several possible therapeutic properties, it seems to have more value as a food than as a medicinal plant.

Warning

In 2004, Canada adopted new regulations that control the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and importing of natural health products. The new regulations also include an adverse reaction reporting system. Products that conform to the regulation's criteria are identified with a natural product number (NPN) or homeopathic medicine number (DIN-HM) and can be legally sold in Canada. This number indicates that the product meets specific criteria for safety and purity, not that it is effective for any indication.

Medicinal plants content varies naturally from plant to plant – just as fruits from the same package may vary in taste and texture. There is no standard to measure the active content of each plant. Thus, efficacy of natural products should be expected to vary from brand to brand as well as from bottle to bottle of the same brand.

For more information about the Natural Health Products Regulations, or to check if a product has been assessed, visit the Health Canada website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/index-eng.php.

Does it work?

There is no evidence that alfalfa is effective in any indication. It appears to have some cholesterol-lowering effect in animals, but its actual use in humans has yet to be establish.

• Hypercholesterolemia:
  Very limited clinical information in humans. Doses from 5 to 10 grams, in capsule or infusion, 3 times daily have been used.

There is insufficient reliable information to conclude that alfalfa is effective in any other indication.

Is it safe?

• Alfalfa is not associated with any particular toxicity. In the United-States, it is classified as a "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) product. There is a report of decreased blood elements (pancytopenia with increased spleen volume) in a man who took up to 160 g of alfalfa seeds as part of a cholesterol-lowering diet. Canavanine present in the seeds is thought to be responsible for these effects. Taking alfalfa seeds (but not the stems or roots) may reactivate latent systemic lupus erythematosus.
• During pregnancy and breast-feeding, women should not consume more than habitual food amounts of alfalfa. These women should avoid excessive amounts of alfalfa since some of its constituents may have hormonal (estrogenic) activity.
• Alfalfa is a good source of vitamin K, and may thus interfere with anticoagulants. It may also impair vitamin E absorption due to its saponin content. Before taking alfalfa, check with your pharmacist to make sure that there are no interactions with your regular medication.

Clinical notes

• Alfalfa is a nutritious plant that plays an important part in the animal diet. Normal use is usually not associated with significant adverse effects. Its medicinal value has yet to be established.

References

1. Facts & Comparisons, The Lawrence review of Natural Products, 1999
2. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2007
3. Lininger S. et Al. The Natural Pharmacy, Prima Health, 1998
4. Barnes J. et Al. Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition, Pharmaceutical Press, 2002
5. Passeportsanté.net. Luzerne. http://www.passeportsante.net

---

« Browse all natural products