Alfalfa (medicago sativa)

Table of Contents

Other names

Alfalfa Leaf
Lucerne
Alfalfa Extract

Synopsis

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a nutrient-dense, perennial flowering plant in the legume family, widely cultivated around the world as a forage crop and herbal remedy. Native to south-central Asia, it has been used for thousands of years in both human and animal nutrition due to its rich content of vitamins (A, C, E, K, and several B vitamins), minerals (especially calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron), chlorophyll, protein, and fiber. The plant’s leaves and young shoots are typically dried and powdered for use in teas, capsules, or tinctures.

Alfalfa is valued in modern herbal medicine as a tonic herb that supports overall vitality and nutritional replenishment, especially for those recovering from illness, experiencing fatigue, or managing chronic conditions. It has mild phytoestrogenic properties, which may help support hormone balance, especially in women undergoing menopause or experiencing menstrual irregularities. Due to its alkalizing effects and high chlorophyll content, alfalfa is often promoted for detoxification, pH balance, and liver support.

Its anti-inflammatory and diuretic actions make it useful for mild cases of water retention, arthritis, and urinary tract support, while its nutrient density supports bone strength, cardiovascular health, and blood sugar regulation. Alfalfa is also rich in saponins, compounds that may help lower LDL cholesterol and support the immune system. However, large or concentrated doses should be used cautiously, especially in individuals with autoimmune conditions, as alfalfa contains L-canavanine, a compound that may exacerbate immune overactivity in sensitive individuals.

Historical Use:
Alfalfa has a long history of use in Persian, Chinese, Indian, and Arabic medicine, where it was often employed as a restorative and rejuvenative herb. Its earliest recorded use dates back to ancient Iran (Persia) around 500 BCE, where it was cultivated for feeding horses and livestock and valued for promoting strength and stamina. It later spread to China by 200 BCE, where it was used to nourish the blood and support digestive health, particularly during recovery from illness or childbirth.

In Ayurvedic medicine, alfalfa was used as a nutritive tonic to build strength, calm inflammation, and assist with vata-type disorders marked by dryness, debility, or depletion. Similarly, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it was incorporated to support the Spleen and Liver systems, thought to govern nutrient absorption and detoxification, respectively.

Alfalfa also found use in Western herbalism during the 19th and early 20th centuries as a "green food supplement" for building vitality, improving appetite, and aiding convalescence. Practitioners praised it as a rich plant source of trace nutrients and a mild adaptogen for individuals facing chronic fatigue or malnutrition.

Today, alfalfa is recognized as a foundational nutritive herb, bridging food and medicine. It continues to be used in greens formulas, multinutrient blends, and whole-food supplements, reflecting its long-standing historical role in restoring strength, nourishing the body, and supporting overall wellness.

Uses: Health Conditions

Failure to Thrive (Traditional)
Fingernails (weak or brittle) (Traditional)
Hair (loss or thinning) (Traditional)
Hair Care (general) (Traditional)
Hypoglycemia (Traditional)
Labor and Delivery (Traditional)
Nursing (Traditional)
Parasites (tapeworm) (Traditional)

Body Systems

Structural System (Traditional)
Teeth (Traditional)
Adrenal Glands (Traditional)
Appendix (Traditional)
Blood (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Nerves (Traditional)
Pineal Gland (Traditional)
Pituitary (Traditional)
Pituitary (anterior) (Traditional)
Pituitary (posterior) (Traditional)
Skeletal System (Bones) (Traditional)