Alfalfa Benefits and Side effects

Being a good source of digestive enzymes, alfalfa may be helpful in assisting the process of digestion. In fact, it is regarded as an excellent digestive aid in ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine regards it for its appetite building properties. Alfalfa tea is widely used as a digestive tonic.

Additionally, it also contains a significant amount of fibre, which may help in relieving constipation and improving gut microflora. Thus aiding in proper digestion of food.

Unfortunately, no scientific research is available to back these traditional uses.

(Read more: How to improve digestion)

A tumour is an abnormal proliferation of body cells, which when malignant (is highly invasive in nature) is termed as cancer. Hundreds of people from all over the world are being affected by this dreadful disease. One may prevent the risk of cancer by including alfalfa in their diet.

It was observed in a study that the extracts from the leaves of alfalfa may possess cancer prevention ability and can be used effectively for relieving chemotherapy symptoms. Another study claimed that alfalfa seeds contain amino acids, which help in preventing the growth of tumour cells.

An animal study reported that breast cancer can be reduced to some extent with the use of alfalfa because of the level of estradiol present in it. However, it is not conclusive and further tests on humans need to be undertaken.

The juice of barley leaves and alfalfa, when consumed regularly along with a high intake of fruits and vegetables in the diet, has been found to possess cancer-preventing abilities.

(Read more: Diet for cancer patients)

Vitamin K is a very important nutrient required for bone health. It helps in building bones and in preventing and may also facilitate the treatment of osteoporosis. Alfalfa is undoubtedly a miraculous plant because it is enriched with vitamin K. Vitamin K uses calcium in the body effectively and improves bone health.

A study was undertaken on 24 menopausal women and 71 postmenopausal women. The study suggested that vitamin K in alfalfa may help in preventing postmenopausal bone loss.

Women generally don’t like to have excess hair growth on their body. Various procedures are followed to remove excess hair growth. But most of the hair removal procedures aren’t as comfortable and cost a lot. Why spend unnecessarily when you have a natural treatment for this?

Excess hair growth may happen due to hormonal disorder, culture, ethnic background, hereditary factor, etc. It was claimed in a study that alfalfa extracts have the ability to reduce hair growth and treating hirsutism. Hirsutism is a condition in women, which causes hair growth in excess just like in a male.

A clinical study done on people between the age of 18 to 24 years suggested that extract from alfalfa indeed helped in reducing hair growth. This may be due to the high estrogenic compounds present in it.

Several studies suggest the antibacterial potential of alfalfa. According to a study published in the International Journal of Current Research and Academic Review, alfalfa extracts possess potent antimicrobial action against a wide range of bacteria (both gram-positive and gram-negative). However, an earlier study observed a much higher inhibition in the growth of gram-positive bacteria as compared to gram-negative bacteria.

A recent laboratory-based study found that alfalfa extracts have a strong inhibitory action on the growth of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, both of which are responsible for causing sinusitis.

(Read more: Bacterial infections symptoms)

Free radicals are singlet oxygen molecules produced by the normal metabolism of our body. However, over-accumulation of these molecules increases the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and coronary artery disease. Antioxidants are the best defence against these reactive oxygen species and alfalfa is known to be an excellent source of natural antioxidants.

Animal-based studies also indicate that alfalfa is an efficient antioxidant and can reduce liver damage caused by oxidative stress. However, an earlier study demonstrated a reduction in antioxidant capacity with an increase in the growth of alfalfa sprouts.

Arthritis is a disease characterized by inflamed and swollen joints. It is usually caused by an increase in inflammatory compounds in the body. Studies suggest that methanol extracts of alfalfa can prevent arthritis by downregulating the genes that are responsible for the production of inflammatory cytokines. In vivo (animal-based) studies also demonstrate a reduction in inflammation after administration of ethyl acetate extracts of alfalfa.

A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that a type of pectin, known as rhamnogalacturonan I, is responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of alfalfa.

(Read more: Exercises for arthritis)

Traditionally, alfalfa decoction is used for the treatment of kidney stones. Although, research evidence is highly contradictory. A review article published in the International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy indicates that alfalfa is the best herb to support and improve kidney functions. However, according to the National Kidney Foundation, Hawaii, alfalfa is harmful to kidney patients. This may be because it is rich in potassium and studies suggest that excess potassium may cause chronic kidney disease.

So, if you are suffering from any such problem, it is best that you refer to a doctor before adding alfalfa to your diet.

(Read more: Avoid these 5 foods for healthy kidneys)

If you are looking forward to gaining some extra kilos then alfalfa may just be the right choice for you. This health supplement is not only nutritious but it is also low on fat and has a good fibre content. It will aid you in gaining weight without increasing fat deposits in your tissues.

In an in vivo (animal-based) study, 300 mg/ kg of alfalfa flavonoids were found to be helpful in increasing body weight without any side effects. 

Also, alfalfa is known to improve appetite and aid in digestion, ensuring that all its health-building compounds are properly assimilated in your body. And all this while increasing the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol and maintaining blood sugar levels. What else do you need in a weight gain supplement?

(Read more: Diet chart for weight gain)

Menopause is an important milestone in a woman’s life, which marks the end of her reproductive phase. It is usually characterized by a decrease in estrogen levels, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, nausea and anxiety. Alfalfa is traditionally used for relieving menopause symptoms. Studies hint that alfalfa mediates an estrogen-like effect on the body. Being a herb, it may be used as a natural estrogen supplement for menopausal women.

In a clinical study, alfalfa leaves, when given along with sage leaves have been found to reduce night sweats and hot flashes.

(Read more: Menopause diet)

High cholesterol refers to a condition characterized by abnormally high levels of fatty acids in the body. Hyperlipidemia, in turn, increases the risk of several problems including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and heart diseases. Extensive research has been done on the hypocholesterolemic (reducing cholesterol) benefits of alfalfa plant. Preclinical studies demonstrate that alfalfa saponin extracts can bring down cholesterol levels by interfering with the expression of certain cholesterol metabolising genes in liver and by increasing the expulsion of cholesterol from body.

(Read more: Foods to reduce and control high cholesterol)

In an earlier clinical study, 15 people suffering from hyperlipidemia were given 40 g of alfalfa seeds thrice a day for a period of eight weeks. The study concluded that alfalfa can be used for maintaining cholesterol levels.

(Read more: High cholesterol treatment)

Diabetes is an endocrine disorder marked by abnormally high blood glucose levels that occurs due to dysfunctions in body’s sugar metabolism. Alfalfa is a well-known hypoglycemic (seduces blood sugar) agent in traditional medicine. Practitioners of homoeopathic medicine used alfalfa tonic for the treatment of diabetes. Preclinical studies confirm traditional claims by comparing it with juniper berry and eucalyptus.

In two different animal-based studies, regular administration of 250-500 ml of alfalfa extract was found to be effective in reducing blood sugar levels and improving insulin function.

However, there are no clinical studies to prove its anti-diabetic effects in humans.

(Read more: Diabetes diet)