Health Benefits of Alfalfa
January 5, 2010
This herb serves many health benefits. Alfalfa can not be taken as a daily supplement by everyone. Yet, it offers such powerful remedies for the problems that affect us in daily life. Here is a peep into what this extraordinary herb has to offer.
Source of Nutrients
Alfalfa is source of several vitamins like vitamin A, D, C, E, vitamin B-complex family (B6 and B12) and vitamin K. Vitamin A (as beta carotene) is good for health of eyes and hair.
Vitamin C is essential for immunity development and K is required necessarily for blood clotting.
Minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium are found in it. Alfalfa is source of all these powerful antioxidants and also carotenoids, saponins and chlorophyll.
But there is one amino acid, canavanine, present in alfalfa which causes systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in monkey. The teas and capsules available in market do not contain this ingredient but seeds and sprouts of the plants do contain canavanine.
Benefits
Alfalfa is extremely helpful in getting relief from migraine attacks due to calcium and magnesium content. The chlorophyll content helps in getting rid of body odor naturally. One can chew the herb every morning and evening. Remember not to swallow the herb. It is not advisable to consume it without prescription.
The herb has many therapeutic benefits. It is helpful in reducing blood cholesterol and acidity. Alfalfa helps in treatment of chronic constipation, gastritis, hemorrhoids, indigestion and peptic ulcer disease.
The herb is said to help in prevention of certain cardiovascular diseases and aids in lowering blood sugar levels. Studies show that some herbal remedies made using alfalfa may be helpful in dissolving kidney stones and treating arthritis.
Contraindications with Alfalfa
Alfalfa must not be taken by those who are on anti-coagulant drugs. These must be consumed by pregnant women due stachydrine and homostachydrine which induce menstruation. It may lead to miscarriage.
Due to the high vitamin K content it is not recommended for people at risk of stroke or hypertension.
Excess use of the herb is said to interrupt with production of red blood cells. It may even trigger photo sensitivity.
Patients of anemia should also avoid intake of alfalfa. This is because the saponin content in alfalfa it is shown to reduce absorption of iron by the body.
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