HERBS: Alfalfa

Scientific name
Other names
Food sources
Clinical uses of Alfalfa
Warnings
Contraindications
Drug interactions
References

Alfalfa

Scientific name

Medicago sativa. Family: fabaceae

Other names

Buffalo Herb, Lucerne, Purple Medick, Purple Medicle, Purple Medic

Food sources

Alfalfa seed and alfalfa sprout are available in many countries and used frequently as animal feed.

Clinical uses of Alfalfa

To treat diabetes: While alfalfa does appear to have hypoglycemic properties, not studies have tested whether it has any significant effect in patients with diabetes.
To treat high cholesterol: Two very small trials have shown alfalfa supplements to lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol, but larger, controlled trials are necessary to validate these results.
As a diuretic: No scientific evidence supports this use.
To treat gastrointestinal disorders: No scientific evidence supports this use.
To treat asthma and hay fever: No scientific evidence supports this use.
To treat thyroid problems: No scientific evidence supports this use.
To increase lactation: No scientific evidence supports this use in humans.
To promote menstruation: No scientific evidence supports this use in humans.

Warnings

Avoided during pregnancy and nursing. Patients with latent systemic lupus erythematosus have had relapse after the ingestion of alfalfa tablets. Alfalfa sprouts have been linked to a number of E.coli and Salmonella infections in California.

Contraindications

Alfalfa should be avoided in pregnant and lactating women.
Alfalfa should be avoided in patients with hormone sensitive cancer.
Due to the high content of purines, alfalfa should be avoided in patients with gout.

Drug interactions

Increases in rate of metabolism of xenobiotics in the liver.
May reduce the effect of warfarin.
Because of its estrogenic activity, high levels of alfalfa may interfere with contraceptives and hormonal therapy.
Alfalfa may increase effects of diuretic medication.
Theoretically, alfalfa supplementation may interfere with hypoglycemic agents.

References

1. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1998.

2. DerMarderosian A. The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons, 1999.

3. Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2002.

4. Molgaard J, von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis 1987;65:173-9.

5. Malinow MR, McLaughlin P, Stafford C. Alfalfa seeds: effects on cholesterol metabolism. Experientia 1980;36:562-4.

6. Roberts JL,.Hayashi JA. Exacerbation of SLE associated with alfalfa ingestion. N Engl J Med 1983;308:1361.

7. Alcocer-Varela J, Iglesias A, Llorente L, Alarcon-Segovia D. Effects of L-canavanine on T cells may explain the induction of systemic lupus erythematosus by alfalfa. Arthritis Rheum. 1985;28:52-7.

8. Farnsworth NR. Alfalfa pills and autoimmune diseases. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;62:1026-8.

9. Boue SM, Wiese TE, Nehls S, Burow ME, Elliott S, Carter-Wientjes CH et al. Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of legume extracts containing phytoestrogens. J Agric.Food Chem. 2003;51:2193-9.

10. Mohle-Boetani JC, Farrar JA, Werner SB, Minassian D, Bryant R, Abbott S et al. Escherichia coli O157 and Salmonella infections associated with sprouts in California, 1996-1998. Ann.Intern.Med 2001;135:239-47.

11. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications And Drug Interactions. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2001.

12. Malinow MR, Bardana EJ, Jr., Pirofsky B, Craig S, McLaughlin P. Systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome in monkeys fed alfalfa sprouts: role of a nonprotein amino acid. Science 1982;216:415-7.