Alfalfa (Chadwick Cabanero , University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy

Pharmacology/MOA

❖ Prevents cholesterol absorption in the stomach ❖ Slows the absorption of glucose into the intestines

Dosage Forms

❖ Fresh sprouts ❖ Dried herbs ❖ Seeds ❖ Tea ❖ Powder ❖ Tablets/Capsules/Chews

History

Writings describing alfalfa was first discovered in Southwestern Asia in what is now known as modern day Turkey in 1300 BC, however, 6000 year-old remains of the plant was discovered in Iran. Eventually, it was domesticated throughout the region to primarily provide forage and grains to cattle.

Typical Dosing

❖ 5 mg-10 mg of dried herb ❖ 40 mg (hyperlipidemia)

Common Uses

Alfalfa is a great source of nutrition and fiber. It provides essential elements such as calcium, potassium, iron and vitamins A, C, E, and K. It is an herbal supplement that may benefit in treating diabetes and high cholesterol.

Also Known As…

❖ Feuille de Luzerne ❖ Grand Trèfle ❖ Herbe aux Bisons ❖ Herbe à Vaches ❖ Lucerne ❖ Phyoestrogen ❖ Purple Medick ❖ Sanfoin

Alfalfa has shown benefit primarily for hyperlipidemia patients by increasing HDL-C and reducing TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL. Some benefits in glucose, ALT, and AST were observed.

Safety

Unless the patient is allergic to alfalfa, this herb is generally safe to use.

Adverse Eects/Toxicities

Warfarin & Anticoagulants

Decreases eectiveness of these medications and is associated with an increased risk of blood clots due to significant amounts of vitamin K.

Estrogen derivatives

Worsen the adverse eects of certain birth control medications.

NSAIDs

Associated with increased bleeding when taken together.

Other adverse eects:

hypoglycemia Alfalfa has been used for over 6,000 years with trusted properties. It also has an excellent safety profile with little to no harmful adverse eects. It has also shown significant benefit when used in conjunction with medications targeting hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Therefore, I believe this would be beneficial for overall nutrition and concurrent treatment.

References

❖ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1 9.html ❖ Westgate, J. M. (1908). Alfalfa (PDF). Washington: U. S. Department of Agriculture. p. 5. Retrieved 28 July 2013. ❖ Farsani MK, Amraie E, Kavian P, Keshvari M. Eects of aqueous extract of alfalfa on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Interv Med Appl Sci. 2016 Sep;8(3):103-108. doi: 10.1556/1646.8.2016.3.5. PMID: 28203391; PMCID: PMC5283756. Page 1 Graphics 1. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible /vegetables/alfalfa/growing-alfalfa.htm 2. https://heatherreseck.com/how-to-grow-sp routs/ 3. https://www.alfalfaspain.es/bales-of-dehydr ated-alfalfa/?lang=en Page 2 Graphics 1. https://www.hobbyfarms.com/all-hay-is-not -equal-choose-your-livestocks-carefully/ 2. https://www.coweniga.com/shop/pantry/be verages/tea/alvita_tea_bags_alfalfa_leaf_c aeine_free/p/2493106 3. https://www.herbalhills.in/ayurvedic/produ cts/green-food-supplement/alfalfa-powder -tablets-green-food-supplement/