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A member of the pea family, Alfalfa is native to western Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region. Alfalfa sprouts have become a popular food, and the dried leaves of the plant are used as a dietary supplement. Alfalfa has been used worldwide for centuries by people for overall support and rejuvenation. Alfalfa is a perennial herbaceous legume that grows from a semi-woody base or crown. The crown sends up many succulent, leafy multi-branched stems two - four feet high. Each stem terminates in a cluster of purple, white, or greenish-yellow florets.
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Alfalfa Historical Use
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Early physicians in China and India used Alfalfa leaves and flowering tops in the Favorable Effects of digestive Malfunction of mind or bodys. Through the ages, Alfalfa has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions.
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Alfalfa Remedy For
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- Arthritis
- Water Retention,
- Jaundice
- Blood Clotting.
The plant has been used to stimulate lactation in nursing mothers, also as a Favorable Effects for dyspepsia, anemia, loss of appetite, and as a poultice for boils and insect bites. Alfalfa is used as a tonic to address conditions relative to the kidneys and the reproductive system. It has also done service as a musculoskeletal and glandular tonic. Alfalfa has a proven cholesterol lowering effect, possesses antibacterial action against gram negative bacteria such as Salmonella typhi, and it contains at least one protein with known antitumor activity. Alfalfa alkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. It is good for colon Malfunction of mind or bodys, hemorrhaging, and promotes pituitary gland function. Although yet to be confirmed in human trials, alfalfa is popular in the Favorable Effects of menopause symptoms.
Contraindications
- systemic lupus erythematosus due to potential exacerbation of the condition by chronic consumption of alfalfa tablets with the component L-canavanine (PO in human case reports) 269,270,326
Drug Interactions
- warfarin activity could be reduced due to extremely high vitamin K content (empirical)104
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Alfalfa Active Constituents
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Alfalfa contains many nutrients, in a form, which is easily digested and assimilated. It has a good quantity of beta-carotene, chlorophyll and octacosanol. The leaves are also made up of flavones, isoflavones, sterols, and coumarin derivatives. The iosflavones are probably responsible for the estrogen-like effect in animals. Vitamin and minerals, include vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E, K, calcium, potassium, iron and zinc.
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Alfalfa Typical Dosage
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Dried Alfalfa is available as a bulk herb and in tablets or capsules. It is also available in liquid extracts. No therapeutic dose of Alfalfa has been established for humans, though some experts recommend 500 - 1000 mg of the dried leaf per day...or 1 - 2 ml of the tincture.
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Alfalfa Side Effects
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Moderate use of dried Alfalfa leaves is usually safe, but a small percentage of people are allergic. Heavy consumption of Alfalfa seeds and/or sprouts has been linked to the onset of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The chemical believed responsible for this is canavanine. Those with SLE or a history of it should avoid alfalfa products.
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