![<img src='https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/Medicago_sativa_vital_ly.png' /> Alfalfa](https://images.vital.ly/monographs/tr:w-800,c-at_max,dpr-2,q-100/Medicago_sativa_vital_ly.png)
Background
Alfalfa is most commonly grown as food for livestock animals. In humans, it's often eaten as a garnish, and seems to prevent cholesterol absorption in the stomach.
People use alfalfa for high cholesterol, diabetes, indigestion, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Using alfalfa in amounts larger than what is commonly found in food is possibly unsafe during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Alfalfa might act like estrogen in the body."Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Alfalfa might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have an auto-immune condition, avoid using alfalfa until more is known.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Alfalfa might have some of the same effects as estrogen. If you have any condition that is sensitive to estrogen, don't use alfalfa.
Effectiveness
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Large amounts of alfalfa might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking alfalfa along with birth control pills might decrease the effects of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with alfalfa, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.
Estrogens
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Large amounts of alfalfa might have some of the same effects as estrogen. Taking alfalfa along with estrogen might change the effects of estrogen.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Alfalfa might lower blood sugar levels. Taking alfalfa along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Alfalfa can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking alfalfa along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications might make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Alfalfa might also make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Using these products together might increase the risk of sunburn, blistering, or rashes when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Major Do not take this combination.
Alfalfa contains large amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is used by the body to help blood clot. By helping the blood clot, alfalfa might decrease the effects of warfarin. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs that might increase sensitivity to sunlight: Alfalfa might make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Using it with other products that also make the skin more sensitive to the sun might increase the risk for sunburn and other side effects. Examples of supplements with this effect include bishop's weed, chlorophyll, khella, and St. John's wort.
Iron: Taking alfalfa might reduce the amount of iron absorbed by the body.
Vitamin E: Taking alfalfa might reduce the amount of vitamin E absorbed by the body.
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) ext. 85 mg
- Humulus lupulus ext. 100 mg
- Oryza sativa powder 5 mg
- Chlorella vulgaris ext. 10 mg
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) 200 mg
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Marine collagen peptides 250 mg
- Lepidium meyenii (root) powder
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR-32)
- Bifidobacterium longum (BL-05)
- Zinc
- Cannabis sativa powder 520 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 370 mg
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) flour (Flaxseed) 250 mg
- Wheatgrass powder
- Sunflower lecithin
- Citrus limon (juice) (Lemon)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Apple pectin
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Fragaria ananassa (juice) powder (Strawberry)
- Garcinia mangostana (fruit) powder
- Punica granatum juice dry
- Carica papaya (fruit) powder
- Vaccinium macrocarpon (fruit) powder
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Lycium barbarum (fruit)
- Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui berry)
- Silybum marianum powder
- Astragalus membranaceus (root) powder
- Equisetum arvense (herb) powder
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Silica - colloidal anhydrous
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Camellia sinensis powder
- Withania somnifera (root) powder
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (root) powder
- Echinacea purpurea (root) powder
- Melissa officinalis powder
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf) powder
- Zingiber officinale (root) powder
- Rosa canina powder
- Vaccinium myrtillus (fruit) powder
- Ulmus rubra (bark) powder
- Mushroom powder
- Kakadu plum powder
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5)
- Panax ginseng powder
- Curcuma longa (root) powder
- Backhousia citriodora (leaf)
- Thaumatin
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
- Protease
- Phyllanthus emblica (fruit) powder
- Morindae officinalis (fruit) powder
- Marine algae
- Malpighia glabra (fruit) powder
- Sambucus nigra (fruit)
- Vaccinium corymbosum (fruit) powder
- Hordeum vulgare powder 200 mg
- Salvia hispanica (seed) powder
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) powder 160 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 1.68 g
- Wheatgrass powder 1.12 g
- Hordeum vulgare powder 160 mg
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) 80 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale) 80 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Pea (fibre) sprouted
- Lepidium meyenii (root) powder
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (boulardii) (SB) 200 mg
- Tremella fuciformis powder 200 mg
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
- Oryza sativa (Brown rice protein)
- Lentinula edodes powder 160 mg
- Quinoa (sprout) powder
- Malpighia glabra powder 120 mg
- Grifola frondosa powder 80 mg
- Schisandra chinensis powder 80 mg
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Beta vulgaris (root) powder (Beetroot)
- Daucus carota juice dry
- Davidson plum powder
- Backhousia citriodora (leaf) powder
- Kakadu plum powder 80 mg
- Banana resistant starch powder
- Tasmannia lanceolata powder
- Citrus australasica
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) powder 28.3 mg
- Calendula officinalis ext. 200 mg
- Glycine 3 g
- Melissa officinalis ext. 500 mg
- Ginkgo biloba ext. 120 mg
- Centella asiatica ext. 150 mg
- Chlorella vulgaris powder 5 mg
- Magnesium glycinate 1.05 g equiv. magnesium 105 mg
- Choline bitartrate 281.9 mg equiv. choline 112.5 mg
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Rubus idaeus
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Spinacia oleracea
- Petroselinum crispum
- Fagopyrum esculentum (leaf)
- Chlorella vulgaris powder
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Malus (Apple)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Pyrus communis (Pear)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Citrus aurantiifolia (Lime)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Urtica dioica
- Mentha x piperita
- Camellia sinensis
- Apium graveolens
- Cucumis sativus
- Magnesium citrate
- Potassium citrate
- L-glutamine
- Calcium citrate
- Natural flavours
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf) ext. dry
- Eleutherococcus senticosus ext. dry
- Curcuma longa ext. dry
- Withania somnifera ext. dry
- Camellia sinensis ext. dry
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext. dry
- Aloe barbadensis ext. dry
- Gardenia jasminoides ext. dry
- Piper nigrum ext. dry
- Magnesium gluconate
- Apple pectin
- L-alanine
- Xanthan gum
- L-histidine
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Potassium ascorbate (Vitamin C)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Zinc gluconate
- Ferrous fumarate
- Manganese citrate
- Selenomethionine
- Vitamin D
- Chromium picolinate
- Acacia sp. (fibre)
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Fagopyrum esculentum (leaf)
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Malus (Apple)
- Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon)
- Siraitia grosvenorii (Monk fruit)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Lycium barbarum (fruit)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Curcuma longa (rhizome)
- Malpighia glabra (fruit) powder
- Punica granatum
- Rubus idaeus
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Fructooligosaccharides
- Pyrus communis (Pear)
- Lentinula edodes
- Urtica dioica
- Mentha x piperita
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Green banana starch
- Oryza sativa (Rice fibre)
- Xanthan gum
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer’s yeast)
- Rhodophyta (Red seaweed)
- Berry flavour
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha Inchi protein)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Sweet potato powder
- Cucurbita pepo (seed)
- Sunflower seed
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Millet
- Quinoa powder
- Chia (seed)
- Molasses (Cane juice)
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain)
- Acacia sp. (gum)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Natural flavours
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Wheatgrass powder
- Hordeum vulgare (leaf) powder
- Urtica dioica (leaf) powder
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Artichoke inulin
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Malus (Apple)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Amaranth powder
- Quinoa (sprout) powder
- Sea mineral complex
- Taraxacum officinale ext.
- Silybum marianum ext.
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext.
- Opuntia ficus indica (cladode) (Prickly pear)
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Stevia rebaubiana (leaf) ext.
- Mint flavour
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (sprout) powder
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Green banana
- Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30)
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Laminaria digitara (Kelp)
- Euterpe oleracea (berry) ext. (Acai)
- Vaccinium corymbosum
- Malpighia glabra
- Beta vulgaris
- Punica granatum juice dry
- Lycium chinese
- Golden pea protein (sprout) bio-fermented
- Apple pectin
- Rubus idaeus (berry)
- Fragaria ananassa (Strawberry)
- Hippophae rhamnoides
- Lycopersicon esculentum
- Arctic sea algae
- Sea salt
- Sunflower seed extract
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Citrus limon (Lemon)
- Linum usitatissimum (seed) (Flaxseed)
- Malus (Apple)
- Lepidium meyenii
- Natural flavours
- Silybum marianum
- Equisetum arvense
- Centella asiatica
- Glycyrrhiza glabra (root)
- Althaea officinalis (root)
- Melissa officinalis
- Taraxacum officinale (leaf)
- Zingiber officinale (root)
- Withania somnifera
- Aloe barbadensis (leaf)
- Panax ginseng
- Pumpkin powder
- Sweet potato powder
- Sunflower seed
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Grifola frondosa (mushroom)
- Lentinula edodes (mushroom)
- Myrciaria dubia (fruit) powder (Camu Camu)
- Protease
- Amylase enzyme
- Lipase
- Cellulase
- Lactase
- Mesquite (pod) powder
- Thaumatin
- Prunus salicina (Queen Garnet plum)
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Pumpkin powder
- Green banana
- Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Sweet potato powder
- Golden pea protein
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot) 1.2 g
- Malus (Apple)
- Mango (fruit)
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Sunflower seed extract
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder
- Grifola frondosa (fruiting body)
- Lentinula edodes (fruiting body)
- Oryza sativa (Rice fibre)
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Artichoke inulin 1.3 g
- Oryza sativa (Brown rice protein fermented)
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Adansonia digitata (Baobab)
- Mesquite (pod) powder
- Pouteria lucuma (fruit) powder
- Mung bean (sprout)
- Red lentil (sprout)
- Chickpea (sprout)
- Linum usitatissimum (seed sprout) (Flaxseed)
- Millet (sprout)
- Quinoa (sprout) powder
- Natural flavours
- Stevia rebaubiana (leaf)
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Pea protein concentrate
- Oryza sativa (Rice protein)
- Hordeum vulgare
- Wheatgrass powder
- Amaranth powder
- Quinoa powder
- Malus (Apple)
- Vaccinium corymbosum
- Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Daucus carota powder (Carrot)
- Coriandrum sativum
- Petroselinum crispum
- Cynara scolymus
- Raphanus raphanistrum (Wild radish)
- Taraxacum officinale
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Apium graveolens
- Beta vulgaris
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato)
- Brassica oleracea var. italica
- Armoracia rusticana
- Brassica oleracea var. viridis
- Nasturtium officinale
- Ocimum basilicum
- Piper nigrum
- Mentha spicata
- Theobroma cacao (Cocoa powder)
- Natural flavours
- Malpighia glabra ext. dry
- Cordyceps sinensis
- Ganoderma lucidum
- Lentinula edodes
- Grifola frondosa
- Trametes versicolor
- Cannabis sativa (seed) powder
- Agaricus subrufescens
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) powder
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
- Lentinula edodes powder
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SB) 125 mg
- Quercetin dihydrate 250 mg
- Grifola frondosa powder
- Hordeum vulgare (leaf) powder (Barley)
- Wheatgrass powder
- Green banana starch
- Inulin (Dietary fibre)
- Pea (fibre) sprouted
- Malpighia glabra powder
- Zinc sulphate
- Oryza sativa (Brown rice protein fermented)
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Chlorella vulgaris powder
- Medicago sativa (Alfalfa)
- Spinacia oleracea (Spinach)
- Brassica oleracea var. acephala (leaf) powder (Kale)
- Wheatgrass powder
- L-glutamine 980 mg
- Carica papaya juice dry
- Ananas comosus (Pineapple)
- Natural pineapple flavour
- Citrus limon (juice) (Lemon)
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Natural vanilla flavour
- Ananas comosus (Bromelain) 70 mg
- Lactobacillus acidophilus 28 mg
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus 14 mg
- Bifidobacterium longum 14 mg
- Bifidobacterium lactis 7 mg
- Curcuma longa ext.
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext.
- Stevia rebaubiana