Evidence supporting the use of: Alfalfa
For the health condition: Anemia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries, often as a "blood tonic" or general nutritional supplement. Its use for anemia is primarily rooted in tradition rather than in strong scientific validation. Historically, practitioners of herbal and traditional medicine believed alfalfa to be beneficial for anemia due to its relatively high content of nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin C, folate, and some minerals, including iron. These nutrients are important for red blood cell formation and general blood health. However, the iron content in alfalfa is modest compared to other iron-rich foods, and its bioavailability (the amount the body can actually absorb and use) is not well established.

From a scientific perspective, there is limited research specifically evaluating alfalfa as a treatment for anemia. Most available studies focus on its general nutritive properties, antioxidant effects, and potential cholesterol-lowering benefits. There are a few animal studies suggesting possible hematopoietic (blood-forming) benefits, but these findings have not been robustly replicated in human trials. Thus, while alfalfa does contain compounds that could theoretically help with anemia, there is insufficient scientific evidence to recommend its use over established treatments such as iron supplements or dietary changes. Its reputation for supporting anemia is therefore mainly based on traditional use and anecdotal reports, with minimal direct clinical validation.

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Other ingredients used for Anemia

5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Abalone
Abrus
Achyranthes
Adzuki bean
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Ajuga
Alchornea
Alfalfa
Algae
Algal protein
Allium tuberosum
amaranth
amino acids
anchovies
Angelica
animal protein
animal Tissue
apple
Ardisia
ashwagandha
aster root
Asteraceae
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
banana
baobab
bean
bee pollen
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
bermuda grass
berry
Bidens pilosa
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black cumin
black gram
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Boerhavia diffusa
bok choy
Bombax
bone marrow
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
bovine spleen
breadnut
broad bean
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Buckwheat
buffalo
Butea monosperma
butternut
C-phycocyanin
Caesalpinia crista
canihua
capillary artemisia
cashew
cassava
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
Celosia
cereal grass
chard
chestnut
chickpea protein
chlorella
Chlorophytum
cistanche
Citrus
coconut milk
Codonopsis
collard
cordyceps
cowpea
cumin
Curcuma
currant
Cyathula
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cytokines
date
deer root
dehydroascorbic acid
dodder
dog rose
Dolichos
dong quai
dong quai root
dragon fruit
dulse
dulse leaf
Eclipta
egg
Embelia
empresstree
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
Fagopyrum
ferric ammonium citrate
ferric citrate
ferric orthophosphate
ferritin
fig
fish
fish protein
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
Foxtail millet
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fu ling
fulvic acid
ganoderma
garbanzo bean
garden cress
ginger
ginseng
Ginsenosides
goji berry
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
Helicteres isora
herbal blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
hijiki
Histidine
horse gram
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
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intrinsic factor
iron
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
kidney beans
kiwi
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lemon
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Leptadenia
licorice root
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
little ironweed
longan
Loranthus
lotus seed
lucuma
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maca
Marine protein
Methylcobalamin
Microcos
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millet seed
Mineral ascorbate
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Momordica
Morinda
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Morus
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Mulberry
Mung bean
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nori
nut grass
oat
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orange
oyster mushroom
Palmyra
parsley
paw paw
peony
Persimmon
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Phyllanthus
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Plankton
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
Polygonatum
pomegranate
pomelo
Portulaca
protein
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pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
root tuber
Rosa roxburghii
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
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Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
seaweed
sesame
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shen-chu
shepherd's purse
shiitake mushroom
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soybean
spinach
spirulina
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suma
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Tayuya
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Tinospora cordifolia
trace minerals
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Triphala
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vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
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wheat germ
wheat grass
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