Fabaceae
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
⚠ Use with Caution
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Central Asia, Iran
Also known as: Lucerne, Purple Medic, Trefoil, Chilean Clover
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
LeafSeedSprout
Therapeutic Uses
Nutritional deficiency (rich multi-nutrient source), menopausal symptoms (mild phytoestrogenic), hypercholesterolaemia (saponins bind cholesterol), alkalizing (reduces uric acid), joint conditions.
Herbal Actions
Nutritive, phytoestrogenic (mild), alkalizing, hypocholesterolaemic, diuretic
Active Constituents
Isoflavones (daidzein, genistein, formononetin), saponins (medicagenic acid, soyasaponin), vitamins K1 and C, chlorophyll, carotenes, minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium), amino acids, coumestrol
Preparation Methods
💊 Capsule☕ Herbal TeaPowder
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried leaf per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3x daily |
| Tincture | Powder: 5–10g daily. Tablets: 500mg 3x daily. |
| Notes | Avoid seeds and sprouts (contain canavanine — lupus trigger). Leaf preparations safe. Excellent nutritive herb. High vitamin K — monitor with warfarin. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
⚠ Known interactions
Contraindications: AVOID SEEDS/SPROUTS in autoimmune conditions (canavanine triggers lupus flares). Leaf generally safe. Avoid with warfarin (high vitamin K). Avoid in hormone-sensitive cancers.
Side Effects: Canavanine in seeds/sprouts — lupus aggravation. Photosensitization. Estrogenic effects. Very well tolerated as leaf.