Alfalfa

Botanical Name(s):

Medicago sativa. Family: Fabaceae

Other Name(s):

hay, lucerne, purple medic

General Description:

Alfalfa is a perennial grown worldwide as a feedstock for cattle. Its appearance is cloverlike, but it grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet. It blooms in the summer with purple or blue flowers. At harvest time alfalfa is mowed, field dried and baled. The baled hay can be fed directly to cattle or ground to a coarse powder first. It can also be enriched with grain or other supplements.

Alfalfa seeds are sprouted and used as garnish for salads and other foods.Alfalfa leaves contain triterpenoid saponins (soyasapogenols) that have been shown to reduce cholesterol absorption and vascular plaque formation in animals but can also cause hemolytic anemia. The leaves are safer to use than the seeds because alfalfa seeds contain the toxic amino acid L-canavanine (arginine analog).

Medically Valid Uses:

Although alfalfa has a long history as a medicinal herb, no well-established benefits supported by hard scientific or unbiased evidence are associated with its use. However, well-documented information demonstrates that L-canavanine, a non-protein amino acid present in alfalfa (particularly in the seeds and sprouts), can cause lupus or worsen the course of already-established lupus. Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), is an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue (found in every organ of the body).

Unsubstantiated Claims:

Please note that this section reports on claims that have NOT yet been substantiated through scientific studies.

Alfalfa is claimed to have positive effects on allergies, malfunctions of the thyroid gland, blood and liver toxicity, asthma and pituitary functions. It is also claimed to reduce heart attack risks and help with an inflamed prostate, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach disorders and diabetes. Finally, alfalfa has also been reported to work as a diuretic.

Dosing Format:

Follow packaging instructions for correct dose.

Side Effects, Toxicity and Interactions:

Alfalfa is generally safe when taken by healthy individuals. It can, however, cause or worsen the course of lupus. If you have lupus, do not use alfalfa.

On occasion, alfalfa sprouts have been contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli and have been responsible for outbreaks of diarrheal disease and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a disease associated with E. coli. Improved processing has largely removed these risks. However, alfalfa sprouts should be eaten shortly after purchase and should not be stored for prolonged periods.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should consult a physician before taking any herbal medicines.

There are no known significant food or drug interactions associated with alfalfa.

Additional Information:

Click here for a list of reputable Web sites with general information on nutrition.

References:

1. Inami GB, Moler SE. Detection and isolation of Salmonella from naturally contaminated alfalfa seeds following an outbreak investigation. J Food Prot. 1999;62(6):662-4.

2. Trachtman H, Christen E. Pathogenesis, treatment, and therapeutic trials in hemolytic uremic syndrome. Curr Opin Pediatr. 1999;11(2):162-8.

3. Van Beneden CA, Keene WE, Strang RA. Multinational outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections due to contaminated alfalfa sprouts. JAMA. 1999;281(2):158-62.

4. De Leo V, Lanzetta D, Cazzavacca R, Morgante G. [Treatment of neurovegetative menopausal symptoms with a phytotherapeutic agent]. Minerva Ginecol. 1998;50(5):207-11.

5. Malinow MR. Plasma homocyst(e)ine: a risk factor for arterial occlusive diseases. J Nutr. 1996;126(4 Suppl):1238S-43S.

6. Montanaro A, Bardana EJ Jr. Dietary amino acid-induced systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1991;17(2):323-32.

7. Morimoto I, Shiozawa S, Tanaka Y, Fujita T. L-canavanine acts on suppressor-inducer T cells to regulate antibody synthesis: lymphocytes of systemic lupus erythematosus patients are specifically unresponsive to L-canavanine. Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1990;55(1):97-108.

8. 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(1):52-7.

9. 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(4544):415-7.