Top 19 Beauty & Health Benefits Of Alfalfa – Its Uses & Side Effects

What Is Alfalfa?

Coming from the Arabic phrase, alfalfa means “father of all foods.” For this reason, alfalfa is very nutritious. The root system of this plant allows it to absorb high levels of essential nutrients from the soil. Its leaf is comprised of vital vitamins such as B vitamins, D, E, K, and A. In addition, its leaf is also a good source of iron, biotin, niacin, folic acid, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, and calcium. Its leaf is higher in amino acids and protein compared to other plants. This plant is a great source of chlorophyll. Alfalfa is healthy for humans and is used as a nutritional supplement. There are a lot of health benefits of alfalfa sprouts, tea, and powder that you should look for in this post. If you are looking for the health & beauty benefits of alfalfa sprouts and tea, have a look at this article on the Effectiveremedies.com in the line of Superfoods.

What Are The Health & Beauty Benefits Of Alfalfa?

In fact, this plant has widely been used all over the world for many centuries. It can be long when it comes to a comprehensive list of the benefits of alfalfa, but common benefits of alfalfa consist of:

• Detox the urinary tract
• Clean the blood & liver
• Help to reduce morning sickness
• Heal tooth decay and remineralize the teeth
• Give your body a strong alkaline effect
• Reduce general digestive problems
• Promote bowel movement regularity & healthy hydration
• Contain high sources of enzymes for digestion & assimilation
• Reduce bad cholesterol and the risk of atherosclerotic plaque
• Treat arthritis
• Support a healthy level of blood sugar
• Help to reduce gout
• Support the pituitary gland
• Other conditions.

However, we still need more evidence to rate alfalfa for the above uses.

Uses Of Alfalfa

1. Health Benefits Of Alfalfa – Treat Shoulder Pain

One of the health benefits of alfalfa is to help to reduce the pain and swelling. It can ensure smooth blood flow throughout your body, which in turn reduces the inflammation & swelling.

• Drink one or two cups of lukewarm alfalfa tea for several days to reduce shoulder pain. To prepare the tea, pour 1/2 tablespoon of dried alfalfa leaves into a cup of boiling water. Steep it for 5 to 7 minutes, strain and then drink it.
• You may also take alfalfa supplements after consulting your doctor.

2. Treat Heel Spurs

Another of health benefits of alfalfa is to treat heel spurs. This herb is comprised of many minerals such as selenium & calcium essential for a healthy formation of the bones. Also, it may help to reduce the pain & inflammation.

• Add about 1 tsp. of alfalfa seeds to 1 cup of hot water. Cover and simmer it for at least 20 minutes. Strain and then add a little raw honey to it. Drink this tea for about 3 or 4 times per day until the inflammation & pain is gone. Then drink 1 or 2 cups of this tea per day to get rid of the symptoms.

Learn more: Natural And Effective Home Remedies For Cracked Heels In Winter

3. Increase Appetite In Adults And Children

Alfalfa is a great appetite stimulant while it also works as a natural blood cleanser & liver cleanser. Thanks to the diuretic effects, alfalfa is very good for people who suffer from kidney problems. Alfalfa is beneficial for your health because it is rich in vitamins such as vitamin A, B, C, D, and K, as well as iron, phosphorus, folic acid, zinc, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and other nutrients.

• You may take 1/4 teaspoon of alfalfa tincture for 3 times per day until you get your desired results.
• You may also add alfalfa seeds and sprouts to your daily diet.
• To prepare alfalfa tea, steep 1 tsp. of dried alfalfa leaves into 1 cup of boiling water for about 15 minutes.

4. Benefits Of Alfalfa – Stop Heart Disease

Alfalfa has been proven to be great for stopping cardiovascular and problems related to heart because it may help to relieve the cholesterol levels of the buildup of plaque. In a study in the “Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences”, this plant may limit the buildup & progression of atherosclerosis. Here are 2 simple and effective ways that you can try at home without any side effects to treat the heart disease by using alfalfa:

• Take alfalfa supplements after seeking the advice and precautions of a doctor.
• Or, drink the alfalfa juice or alfalfa tea for 2 to 3 times a day for 2 to 3 months to obtain the best results.

5. Treat Chest Pain

In the list of benefits of alfalfa is incomplete without including the treatment for chest pain because it prevents the buildup of plaque in the arteries, enhances the blood flow to the heart, and reduces cholesterol. To prepare this tea, add 1/2 tablespoon of alfalfa leaves to 1 cup of hot water and steep it. Cool it down for a few minutes. Drink alfalfa tea when you have an attack of chest pain.

To prevent the pain from reoccurring, remember to take alfalfa supplement every day. However, you should consult a doctor before taking its supplement.

6. Clean Colon

Alfalfa sprouts are comprised of saponins that have an ability to treat pathogens, flush out the fungal impurities, enhance the growth of good bacteria, and kill the bad bacteria. Hence, alfalfa sprouts are regarded as a nutritious food & one of effective home treatments for colon cleansing.

Simply, add alfalfa sprouts to your daily diet.

7. Health Benefits Of Alfalfa – Treat PCOS Symptoms

Treating PCOS symptoms is another of health benefits of alfalfa. It consists of coumestrol, a phytoestrogen that can mimic the estrogen in your body. As you know, ovarian cysts occur owing to the imbalance of estrogen in the body. This is the reason why alfalfa is regarded to be useful for curing ovary cancer as well as ovarian cysts. Alfalfa is also rich in vitamins such as A, D, E, & K, and essential minerals that are good for your body. Moreover, it also has anti-inflammatory & anticancer effects that play a crucial role in treating some certain diseases including PCOS.

8. Treat Vitiligo Disease

Treating vitiligo disease is considered among health benefits of alfalfa. It can help to increase the level of melanin to get rid of the white patches. Hence, alfalfa, when mixed with cucumber is a treatment for vitiligo.

• Add 100 grams each of cucumber and alfalfa to a juicer. Mix these juices together. Drink it 2 times a day.

9. Diuretic Effects

The list of health benefits of alfalfa is nearly endless. In fact, regularly ingesting alfalfa may help to flush out the buildup of toxins in the bowels. As a bonus, the alfalfa herb is also widely used for diuretic purposes. It is also effective for people who experience problems such as urinary tract infections or heavy water retention. Using this herb as a natural laxative or diuretic is more beneficial than applying an over-the-counter treatment since there are not any artificial chemical or compound that could irritate the situation further.

10. Benefits Of Alfalfa – Treat Kidney Stones

The vitamins E, C, A, and Zinc present in this plant are proven to aid in dissolving kidney stones. To deal with this problem, you can use both fresh and dried alfalfa.

• For fresh alfalfa, take 150 to 250 grams of alfalfa to rinse with water. Then, make a juice with an electric juicer. Drink it for twice per day.
• For dried alfalfa, take 10 to 30 grams of alfalfa powder and consume it with 1 cup of water for twice per day.

Remember to consult your doctor before using alfalfa. Avoid eating alfalfa if your stomach is a weak and cold stomach.

Learn more: Super Herbs To Cleanse Your Kidneys Thoroughly

11. Reduce Cholesterol

Another of health benefits of alfalfa is to reduce cholesterol. This plant contains a high content of saponins that help to reduce cholesterol levels. They may do this by increasing the excretion of the certain compounds used to form new cholesterol and reducing the cholesterol absorption in the gut.

For high cholesterol, you can take 5 to 10 grams of this herb, or use as a tea for 3 times per day. Or, you may also take 5 to 10 mL of its liquid extract mixed in 25% alcohol (at the ratio of 1:1) for 3 times per day.

12. Reduce Menopause Symptoms & Excessive Menstruation

Thanks to its high levels of phytoestrogens and vitamin K, alfalfa sprouts may aid women in reducing the symptoms related to menstruation and menopause. Vitamin K is known to a blood-clotting vitamin, thus it is great for excessive bleeding. In addition, the combination of phytoestrogens and vitamin K has an excellent effect on keeping the estrogen level regulated, which may help to reduce premenstrual syndrome and some symptoms of menopause.

Simply, take alfalfa leaves and then boil with a little clean water. After it gets cool, drink this solution at least 2 times per day to relieve the menopausal disorders.

See more: Irregular Periods May Raise Ovarian Cancer Risk

13. Benefits Of Alfalfa – Improve Metabolic Health

Improving metabolic health is another of health benefits of alfalfa. A traditional use of this plant is as a natural anti-diabetic agent.

According to a recent animal study, taking alfalfa supplements can help to decreased high cholesterol in diabetic animals. It can also aid in keeping the blood sugar under control. In another research in diabetic mice, alfalfa extract reduces the levels of blood sugar by increasing the insulin release from the pancreas.

For these things, alfalfa can help to treat diabetes as well as improve metabolic health. Nevertheless, this also needs more studies on humans.

14. Prevent Osteoporosis

Vitamin K plays an important role in building bones, which is the reason why it is essential for preventing and treating osteoporosis. The body requires vitamin K to utilize the calcium that builds the bones. Alfalfa sprouts also contain a notable source of manganese, an essential nutrient that helps to prevent osteoporosis & inflammation.

15. Reduce Blood Glucose Levels & Cure Diabetes

According to a study in the “Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences”, alfalfa sprouts are an anti-diabetic thanks to their ability to reduce blood glucose levels. Keeping blood sugar levels regulated is imperative in curing diabetes, and using the food items such as alfalfa sprouts aids in reducing the dependency on insulin.

Thanks to the rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and some other nutrients, alfalfa makes a great herbal remedy for reducing blood sugar levels.

• Take 1 teaspoon of alfalfa seeds or sprinkle them on your meals.
• Or, take alfalfa capsules after following the directions on its package.

Read more: Effective And Natural Home Remedies For Diabetes

16. Home Remedy For Arthritis

Alfalfa is highly rich in minerals essential for strengthening and formation of bones, so the tea made from alfalfa (particularly from its seeds) is very beneficial for treating arthritis.

You can get detailed instructions of using alfalfa for treating arthritis at 26 Natural Home Remedies For Arthritis Pain (Remedy no. 11)

17. Get Rid Of Bad Breath

Alfalfa can help to manage the bacteria & plaque and prevent your bad breath. In addition, it also contains antibacterial properties that kill the germ present in the mouth. This is very beneficial in keeping your breath fresh. Therefore, getting rid of bad breath is one of other benefits of alfalfa that you should know.

For more information about remedies for bad breath with alfalfa, click at the Natural Home Remedies For Bad Breath In Adults (Remedy no. 16)

18. Beauty Benefits Of Alfalfa – Natural Remedy For Hair Loss & Balding

When you take the alfalfa juice, mixed with equal amounts of lettuce & carrot juice daily, it can help to grow your hair. The mixture of these juices is high in elements that are very helpful for the hair growth and preventing hair loss.

Learn more: Best Natural Home Remedies For Hair Fall Control & Treatment

19. Beauty Benefits Of Alfalfa – Remove Stretch Marks

Removing stretch marks is one of other benefits of alfalfa because their leaves may discolor the marks due to its rich source of vitamin E & K and amino acids.

To get the detailed recipe of using alfalfa for removing stretch marks, click at the Natural Home Remedies For Stretch Marks On Breasts & Thighs (Remedy no. 36)

What Are The Side Effects Of Alfalfa?

In general, alfalfa leaves are safe for adults. But taking alfalfa seeds for a long time is totally unsafe. The products from alfalfa seeds can cause reactions that are the same to the autoimmune disease also called lupus erythematosus.

This plant might cause the skin of some people to get extra sensitive to the sunlight. So, remember to wear sunblock, especially if you have a white skin.

Special precautions and warnings:

“Auto-immune diseases” including lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus), multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions: this plant may cause the immunity to get more active, which could make the symptoms of auto-immune diseases worse. There are 2 case reports of lupus patients suffering from disease flare after using the alfalfa seed products for a long time. If you suffer from an auto-immune condition, avoid taking alfalfa for a long term.

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: Taking alfalfa in amounts more than what is often found in food is unsafe during pregnancy & breastfeeding because it might affect the pregnancy.

Hormone-sensitive condition including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis: Alfalfa has the effects similar to the hormone estrogen of females. If you suffer from any condition that may be made worse by exposing to estrogen, avoid using alfalfa.

Diabetes: Alfalfa may reduce the sugar levels in your blood. If you suffer from diabetes and take alfalfa, check the sugar levels in your blood sugar closely.

Where And How To Buy Alfalfa

You can easily find alfalfa sprouts in most grocery stores & food markets. When opting for them, you should look for the fresh roots and stems. Their smell should be fresh and clean.

Remember to wash them thoroughly and keep the sprouts refrigerated properly. If their smell gets musty, never consume them.

Here are a few of health benefits of alfalfa sprouts and tea that you should be aware of. Hope that this article can help you know more this plant as well as its uses. If you know other health and beauty benefits of alfalfa, please share with us.

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References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22744951
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096399691200436X
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/98169?dopt=Abstract
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/90/4/889.full
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/19.html#Action

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