Traditional Uses

• Arthritis symptoms
• Urinary and bowel problems
• Hypercholesteremia (high cholesterol)
• Helps promote blood clotting (coagulation)
• Vitamin K disorders

Mode of Action

• Alfalfa contains saponins which can help hold down blood cholesterol levels by decreasing absorption of cholesterol in the intestine
• These saponins have a hemolytic effect (they destroy red blood cells)
• Contains vitamin K and so is helpful in treating vitamin K disorders
• Diuretic (increases urine production)

Drug Interactions

• May decrease the effect of anticoagulants ("blood thinners")
• May interfere with tetracycline absorption
• May interfere with vitamin E utilization

Cautions

• Do not take if suffering from autoimmune disease
• May provoke an SLE (Lupus) attack; should be avoided by SLE patients
• May cause pancytopenia (simultaneous decrease in red, white and platelet blood cells)
• In large doses, may have estrogenic activity (estrogen is the primary female hormone)
• May affect blood sugar levels in diabetics

Recommended Dose

• 500-1000 mg once a day. (Dose may vary from brand to brand)

References

• Balch, 1990; Chevallier, 1996; Tyler, 1993; Foster, 1996; Newall, 1996