Botanical Index No. 18

Alfalfa

medicago sativa

Medicinal Actions

alterative, antiatherosclerotic, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antipyretic, antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, antithrombic, cardiotonic, choleretic, cyanogenic, depurative, digestive, diuretic, ecbolic, emetic, emmenagogue, estrogenic, fungicide, hemolytic, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, lactagogue, stimulant, stomachic, tonic

Primary Conditions Treated

abortifacient aperitif bitter deobstruent hemostat alcoholism allergy anorexia arthrosis asthma atherosclerosis bacteria bleeding blood clot boil cancer cholecystosis cough cramp debility diabetes dyspepsia dysuria enterosis ert fever fungus gall bladder gastrosis gravel halitosis high cholesterol hyperglycemia hypoprothrombinaemic purpura indigestion induration infection inflammation mycosis myxedema nephrosis ophthalmia otosis poor milk supply prostatosis rheumatism swelling thrombosis thyroidosis water retention wound yeast Atherosis Bacteria Bleeding Blood Clot Boil Cancer Cholecystosis Cough Cramp Debility Diabetes Dyspepsia Dysuria Enterosis ERT Fever Fungus Gall Bladder Gastrosis Gravel Halitosis High Cholesterol Hyperglycemia Hypoprothrombinaemic Purpura Indigestion Induration Infection Inflammation Mycosis Myxedema Nephrosis Ophthalmia Otosis Poor Milk Supply Prostatosis Rheumatism Swelling Thrombosis Thyroidosis Water Retention Wound Yeast

General Dosage

1–2 tsp dry leaf/cup water 3 ×/day; 5–10 g/herb/day; 6–12 g/dry herb/day; 5–10 ml tincture 3 ×/day; 15–30 drops tincture 4 ×/day; 3–4 capsules 3 ×/day; 1–2 capsules/day; 8–9 capsules/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 1. PHR is too kind with their usual template. None known with proper dosage. Stachydrine and l-homostachydrine, in the seeds, may be emmenagogue and lactogenic. One patient died from listerosis after ingesting contaminated alfalfa tablets. Seeds and/or sprouts may contain 13,000 ppm canavanine, which may be implicated in hypo- complementenemia, lupus, and pancytopenia. Canavanine, a toxic amino acid, may cause systemic lupus erythematosus syndrome. Systemic lupus erythematosus-like manifestations, skin reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, raised serum urate levels are symp- toms that have been associated with alfalfa use in humans. Seeds should not be ingested during pregnancy or lactation. May cause stomach upset and diarrhea. Believed by some herbalists to be helpful in delaying absorption of cholesterol and dissolving plaque deposits on arterial walls. Consumption of alfalfa tablets contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes was linked to a fatal case of listerosis. One case of allergic reaction in alfalfa tablets has been reported. Flatulence, abdominal discomfort, loose stools, diarrhea, and loss of appetite may result from ingesting large amounts of alfalfa seeds.

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