Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Click a letter to see a list of medical procedures beginning with that letter.
Click 'Back to Intro' to return to the beginning of this section.

Alfalfa

Botanical name(s):

Medicago sativa. Family: Fabaceae

Other name(s):

hay, lucerne, purple medic

General description

Alfalfa is a perennial plant grown worldwide. It’s used as a feedstock for cattle. It looks like a clover. But it can grow 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 it can be 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). These can reduce cholesterol absorption and vascular plaque formation in animals. But they can also cause hemolytic anemia. The leaves are safer to use than the seeds. This is because alfalfa seeds contain the toxic amino acid L-canavanine (arginine analog).

Medically valid uses

Alfalfa has a long history as a medicinal herb. But there is no scientific evidence supporting its use.

But studies show that L-canavanine, a nonprotein amino acid in alfalfa (in the seeds and sprouts), may cause lupus or make existing lupus worse. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue. This type of tissue is in every organ of your body.

Unsubstantiated claims

There may be benefits that have not yet been proven through research.

There are claims that alfalfa may help allergies, thyroid problems, blood and liver toxicity, asthma, and how the pituitary works. It’s also said to reduce the risk of heart attacks. It may also help with an inflamed prostate, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach problems, and diabetes. There are reports that alfalfa works as a diuretic.

Dosing format

Follow packaging instructions for the correct dose.

Side effects, toxicity, and interactions

Alfalfa is considered safe when taken by healthy people. Alfalfa seems to increase certain immune system functions.

In some cases, alfalfa sprouts have been contaminated with salmonella and E. coli. This has caused outbreaks of diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome. This is a disease associated with E. coli. There have been improvements in how alfalfa is processed, which has lowered these risks. To reduce your risk, you should always store alfalfa sprouts in the refrigerator and use them soon after you buy them. In addition, be sure to rinse them with running water before eating.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to their healthcare provider before taking any herbal medicines.

Alfalfa may reduce how well birth control pills work. If you take alfalfa and use birth control pills that contain estrogen, use an additional form of birth control.

Alfalfa contains high amounts of vitamin K. This can reduce the blood thinning (anticoagulant) action of the medicine warfarin. If you’re taking this medicine, ask your healthcare provider how much alfalfa you can eat.

Alfalfa may decrease blood sugar. If you take alfalfa along with certain diabetes medicines, your blood sugar might go too low. Be sure to check your blood sugar regularly if you have diabetes and take alfalfa.

Online Medical Reviewer: Bianca Garilli MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Chris Southard RN
Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Date Last Reviewed: 8/1/2023
Powered by StayWell
About StayWell | Disclaimer | Terms of Use

Our web site is designed to provide general information to educate users about programs and services, which may be available through our hospitals. The web site is not intended to provide medical advice nor should the information be used to attempt to determine the presence, absence or severity of any illness or medical condition which may be perceived or experienced by the user of this site. If you have or suspect you may have an illness or condition which you believe requires medical attention, we recommend you call your primary care physician. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency please call "911" (or your local medical emergency number) or seek immediate care from the nearest hospital Emergency Department. The provision of information to users of this web site is not intended as an inducement or to otherwise influence a person's decision to order or receive any item or service from a particular provider, practitioner or supplier that is reimbursable under Medicare, a state healthcare program (e.g., AHCCS) or any other healthcare plan.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at each facility, but are independent contractors who are neither employees nor agents of Tenet Florida Coastal Division; and, as a result, Tenet Florida Coastal Division is not responsible for the actions of any of these physicians in their medical practices.