Alfalfa properties and contraindications Alfalfa is a herb found in the foothills and mountainous areas of the Mediterranean region, North America, and Western Asia. It is a medicinal plant, and for therapeutic purposes, the whole dried plants, including the flowers, are collected at the beginning of the flowering seasons.
It is widely used in food, and is listed by the Council of Europe as a source of natural food flavoring. People use the leaves, shoots, and seeds to make medicine. It is nutritious and is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Alfalfa is a perennial plant with a smooth, erect stem that reaches 2 to 3 feet in height.
The leaves are greyish-green, pinnate, trifoliate, with egg-shaped leaflets.
The clover-shaped flowers are yellow to violet-blue. They are 9–10 mm long and appear in oblong, many-flowered clusters.
The fruit is a spiral pod with 2 or 3 turns with a hollow center, and not spiny. Let’s see now the alfalfa properties and contraindications
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Properties and benefits of alfalfa
Alfalfa is a herb with nutritional benefits. Alfalfa is an excellent source of beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, and iron. Alfalfa counteracts the atherosclerotic effect of cholesterol in the diet. Dietary intake of alfalfa normalizes the distribution of plasma lipoproteins. Prevents hypercholesterolemic and atherosclerosis.
Nutritious Alfalfa contains protein (25% by weight), minerals, trace elements, calcium, chlorophyll, carotene, vitamin K, other vitamins, flavonoids, amino acids, sugars, various saponins, many sterols, coumarins, alkaloids, other nutrients, and many nutrients. fiber. People take alfalfa as a source of vitamins A, C, E, and K4, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.
High in vitamin K Vitamin K plays a key role in helping blood clot and preventing excessive bleeding. It functions as a coenzyme for vitamin K-dependent carboxylase, an enzyme required for the synthesis of proteins involved in haemostasis (blood coagulation) and bone metabolism, and various other physiological functions.
Bleeding and hemorrhaging are the classic signs of vitamin K deficiency, although these effects occur only in severe cases. Because vitamin K is necessary for the carboxylation of osteocalcin in bone, vitamin K deficiency could also reduce bone mineralization and contribute to osteoporosis. Alfalfa is rich in vitamin K and therefore helps in bleeding disorders.
Reduce the cholesterol Alfalfa lowers plasma cholesterol and phospholipids without changing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations, decreases intestinal cholesterol absorption, increases the excretion of neutral steroids and bile acids, prevents atherosclerosis, and induces regression of atherosclerosis.
diuretic action Alfalfa is a herb with diuretic action. It is beneficial in acute or chronic cystitis, inflammation of the prostate and urinary tract infection. It is an alkalizing herb and relieves burning when urinating.
Relieves constipation Alfalfa has a laxative action. The potassium found in alfalfa helps reduce water retention in all parts of the body and decrease constipation.
good for the bones Alfalfa contains calcium, vitamin K, vitamins D2 and D3 along with molecules similar to natural steroids. Because of this, a combination of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients supports bone density. Alfalfa present in genistein has been shown to stimulate bone formation, inhibit bone resorption, and prevent bone loss.
Good for skin and hair. Alfalfa is rich in amino acids, protein, vitamins E and K, and minerals. It has a significant antioxidant action. Vitamins improve the health of the scalp and therefore strengthen the hair. Nutrition is also helpful in keeping the skin healthy.
estrogenic action Alfalfa has estrogenic effects due to the chemical components of coumetrol, daidzein, and genisten. Helps alleviate the symptoms of menopause due to phytoestrogenic activity. Genistein is effective in preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women. Alfalfa properties and contraindications
Also know how to prepare alfalfa remedies for osteoporosis, anemia and more
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Contraindications of alfalfa
In autoimmune diseases Alfalfa can make the immune system more active, which could increase symptoms of autoimmune diseases (such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions) .
Both alfalfa seed and the grass have been reported to induce a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like syndrome in female monkeys.
There is one report of a kidney transplant rejection after three months’ use of a supplement containing alfalfa and black cohosh. This result is more likely due to alfalfa than black cohosh. There is some evidence that alfalfa can stimulate the immune system, and this could make the anti-rejection drug cyclosporine less effective.
photosensitivity Alfalfa can also make some people’s skin more sensitive to the sun.
joint pain In view of the reports of arthralgia, alfalfa should not be recommended for the treatment of arthritis.
hypotension It can lower blood pressure.
Vitamin E metabolism Alfalfa root is hemolytic and may interfere with the metabolism of vitamin E.
Blood sugar control Alfalfa may affect blood sugar concentrations in diabetic patients due to the manganese content.
hormone therapy Alfalfa may interfere with hormone replacement therapy or hormonal contraceptives.
Alfalfa increases the effect of estrogen when taken with black cohosh, blood root, burdock, hops, kudzu, licorice, red clover, soybeans, thyme, white horehound, and yucca.
Immunosuppressant Alfalfa can boost the immune system and therefore decrease the effectiveness of medications that lower the immune system.
Tetracycline Alfalfa is rich in iron, which can cause it to interfere with the absorption of tetracyclines. Lalfalfa might decrease the body’s absorption of dietary iron. We have already seen alfalfa properties and contraindications, if you have any questions you can ask them in the comments section below this article.
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