Alfalfa Herbarium
Latin Name: Medicago sativa
Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae
Descriptive Characteristics (including Part of the Plant used): This is a perennial plant that is found in fields and cultivated for cattle feed. It grows a foot tall or higher, has an elongated taproot and a smooth stem. The seed pods are spiral coils and the flowers that bloom in summer are blue-purple (Heinermann, 1996, p. 7). Chevallier (2016) adds this plant has 3-lobed leaves and the flowers can be between yellow and violet-blue (p. 233).
Part of the plant used: Aerial parts, seeds, sprouting seeds
Texture: Like dried leaves
Color: Various shades of green
Aroma: Like grass
Flavor:
Constituents: Heinermann (1996) doesn’t go into the normal constituents but nutrients count and he gives the data per the USDA daily allowances for these. Vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, E, K1, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, and essential and non-essential amino acids. There are up to 25% of the needed proteins, minerals and trace elements like calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, etc. In the chart here, he compares different things but I’m only going to put alfalfa here: Protein: 10%, Calcium: 75%, iodine: 0%, Iron: 85%, Magnesium: 45%, Phosphorous: 25%, and sodium: 0% (p. 9). Chevallier (2016) says isoflavones, coumarins, alkaloids, vitamins, and polyphyrins. The coumarins and isoflavones are considered estrogenic (p. 233).
Therapeutic Actions: Diuretic
Indications: kidney/bladder/prostate conditions, menopausal symptoms, asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, indigestion, and thrombocytopenic purpura. Oral source of vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron (Natural Medicine Monograph). Heinermann (1996) mentions recent studies by nutritionists indicating this reduces atherosclerosis, 2 capsules every meal. He states the manganese levels help with diabetics who don’t respond well to insulin, 2 capsules, 2-3 times per day. In food, he says use sprouts of alfalfa instead of lettuce for increased nutrition. Because of the mineral content, Heinermann also mentions studies which show this plant helps with depression (p. 8-10). Chevallier (2016) adds it lowers cholesterol and may help with menstruation and menopause (p. 234).
Formulary:
Dosage:
Natural Medicine Monograph
2 tablets (1g) 3/day for up to 2 months
Dried herb: 5-10g 3/day
Extract: 1:1 25% 5-10ml 3/day
Safety/Precautions/Counterindications: Do not use chronically. Unknown safety for pregnancy/lactation and there is a potential estrogen issue (Natural Medicine Monograph). The monograph also mentions this herb can be contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, and listeria which results in infections. Chevallier (2016) adds a few things here. Do not take with anti-coagulants such as warfarin. Don’t take the sprouted seeds if there is immune suppression. Do not use large amounts if pregnant or with an autoimmune illness (p. 234).
Lab, Notes And Media: I will try to do a lab at a later date.
Research:
Tytell et al. (2018) did an interesting study on a protein derived from alfalfa called heat shock protein (HSP) 70. They determined this protein is either not present or present at low levels in people with diabetes and unhealthy aging. This protein helps with insulin resistance and may even help with longevity.
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 233-4.
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. P. 7, 284, 287.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. P. 7-10.
Natural Medicine Monograph retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=19
Tytell, M., Davis, A. T., Giles, J., Snider, L. C., Xiao, R., Dozier, S. G., Presley, T. D., and Kavanagh, K. (2018). Alfalfa-derived HSP70 administered intranasally improves insulin sensitivity in mice. Cell Stress and Chaperones, 23:189–194. Doi: 10.1007/s12192-017-0835-4
Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae
Descriptive Characteristics (including Part of the Plant used): This is a perennial plant that is found in fields and cultivated for cattle feed. It grows a foot tall or higher, has an elongated taproot and a smooth stem. The seed pods are spiral coils and the flowers that bloom in summer are blue-purple (Heinermann, 1996, p. 7). Chevallier (2016) adds this plant has 3-lobed leaves and the flowers can be between yellow and violet-blue (p. 233).
Part of the plant used: Aerial parts, seeds, sprouting seeds
Texture: Like dried leaves
Color: Various shades of green
Aroma: Like grass
Flavor:
Constituents: Heinermann (1996) doesn’t go into the normal constituents but nutrients count and he gives the data per the USDA daily allowances for these. Vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, E, K1, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, and essential and non-essential amino acids. There are up to 25% of the needed proteins, minerals and trace elements like calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, etc. In the chart here, he compares different things but I’m only going to put alfalfa here: Protein: 10%, Calcium: 75%, iodine: 0%, Iron: 85%, Magnesium: 45%, Phosphorous: 25%, and sodium: 0% (p. 9). Chevallier (2016) says isoflavones, coumarins, alkaloids, vitamins, and polyphyrins. The coumarins and isoflavones are considered estrogenic (p. 233).
Therapeutic Actions: Diuretic
Indications: kidney/bladder/prostate conditions, menopausal symptoms, asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, indigestion, and thrombocytopenic purpura. Oral source of vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron (Natural Medicine Monograph). Heinermann (1996) mentions recent studies by nutritionists indicating this reduces atherosclerosis, 2 capsules every meal. He states the manganese levels help with diabetics who don’t respond well to insulin, 2 capsules, 2-3 times per day. In food, he says use sprouts of alfalfa instead of lettuce for increased nutrition. Because of the mineral content, Heinermann also mentions studies which show this plant helps with depression (p. 8-10). Chevallier (2016) adds it lowers cholesterol and may help with menstruation and menopause (p. 234).
Formulary:
Dosage:
Natural Medicine Monograph
2 tablets (1g) 3/day for up to 2 months
Dried herb: 5-10g 3/day
Extract: 1:1 25% 5-10ml 3/day
Safety/Precautions/Counterindications: Do not use chronically. Unknown safety for pregnancy/lactation and there is a potential estrogen issue (Natural Medicine Monograph). The monograph also mentions this herb can be contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, and listeria which results in infections. Chevallier (2016) adds a few things here. Do not take with anti-coagulants such as warfarin. Don’t take the sprouted seeds if there is immune suppression. Do not use large amounts if pregnant or with an autoimmune illness (p. 234).
Lab, Notes And Media: I will try to do a lab at a later date.
Research:
Tytell et al. (2018) did an interesting study on a protein derived from alfalfa called heat shock protein (HSP) 70. They determined this protein is either not present or present at low levels in people with diabetes and unhealthy aging. This protein helps with insulin resistance and may even help with longevity.
References
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 233-4.
Griffin, J. (1997). Mother Nature’s Herbal: A Complete Guide for Experiencing the Beauty, Knowledge, & Synergy of Everything that Grows. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. P. 7, 284, 287.
Heinerman, J. (1996). Healing Herbs and Spices, Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of. Reward Books. P. 7-10.
Natural Medicine Monograph retrieved from https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=19
Tytell, M., Davis, A. T., Giles, J., Snider, L. C., Xiao, R., Dozier, S. G., Presley, T. D., and Kavanagh, K. (2018). Alfalfa-derived HSP70 administered intranasally improves insulin sensitivity in mice. Cell Stress and Chaperones, 23:189–194. Doi: 10.1007/s12192-017-0835-4
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