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| Departments » Herbal Medicine » Materia Medica » Medicago sativa |
Note - the monographs are provided for informational purposes only, and are not to be used for self-medication.
Medicago sativa (Lucerne)
| Botanic Name | Medicago sativa |
| Common Name | Alfalfa, Lucerne, Purple Medick, Purple Medicle, Cultivated Lucern, Buffalo herb |
| Family | Fabaceae 1 2 (Papilionaceae 3 4) |
| Parts Used | Whole herb
in flower
(Greatest estrogenic activity in full blooming and seeding stages)11 |
| Habitat | Cultivated and as an escape all over the world 4 |
| Constituents | Alkaloids (asparagine,
trigonelline) 4
Phytoestrogens (formometin, coumestrol, genistein) 4, 11 Minerals 4(Al, B, Ca, Cr, Co, Fe, Mn, Mo, P, K, Se, Si, Na, Sn, Zn)5 Vitamins C, D, E, K 6 B Vitamins (Low) 5 b -carotene 7 Amino acids similar to those found in animal proteins 8 L-canaverine 7 (Competes with arginine) Alkalizing salts 8 Tricin 11 Saponins 11 Phytosterols (b -sitosterol, stigmasterol) 11 |
| Actions | Alkalizing 8
Anodyne 5 Anti-atherogenic 11 Anti-bacterial against some gram-positive bacteria (extracts) 7 Anti-Cancer 5 Anticholesterolemic 11 Antidiabetic 14 Antidopaminergic (extracts) 13 Anti-rheumatic 5 Antiscorbutic 5 Anti-spasmodic 11 Antiviral (shown to inhibit some viruses including Herpes simplex)7 Appetizer 10 Cardiotonic 5 Depurative 5 Diuretic 10 Emmenagogue 5 Estrogenic 11,13 Fever 5 Immunopotentiating (? In mice) 12 Lactagogue 5 Nutritive 4 Sialogogue 8 Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) activity 11 Tonic 10 |
| Applications | Arthritic
acid conditions in the joints 8
Cardiovascular complaints 11 Convalescence and debility 4 Diabetes 14 Dysuria 5 Encourage weight gain and flesh development 9 For people with protein allergies 8 GI Cramping & Colic 11 Gravel 5 Hyperacidic stomachs 8 Hypoestrogenism/Hyperestrogenism 11 Improve appetite 10 Intellect 5 L-canaverine has been shown to have anti-tumour activity against certain types of leukaemia cells in mice & selective toxicity in dog cancer cells grown in vitro 7 Menopausal symptoms 13 Peptic ulcers 10 Polycystic Ovaries 11 Prolactin excess 11 Reduce haemorrhage and as a tonic after blood loss and during anaemia 4 Relieve urinary and bowel problems 10 Scurvy 5 Secondary Hypothyroidism 11 Herpes simplex 7 |
| Dosage | 3-10gms of dried herb tds 4 |
| Combinations | Salvia officinalis - Menopause |
| C/I Cautions | Can be
safely consumed when used appropriately 1
L-canaverine has shown to cause a lupus-like disease in monkeys and there are two reports where patients have experienced aggravation of SLE symptoms associated with chronic consumption of alfalfa tablets 7. This condition is reversible and avoided by using mature tops rather than sprouts or seeds 11. |
References
1 McGuffin, M., Hobbs, C., Upton, R., Goldberg, A., American Herbal Products Association - Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, 1997.
2 Wohlmuth, H., Pharmacognosy and Herbal Pharmacology – Course Notes, Nature Care College, 1997.
3 Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal, Tiger, Great Britain, 1994.
4 Mills, S., The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism, Thorsons, Great Britain, 1994.
5 Duke J, American Agricultural Research Service - Phytochemical & Ethnobotanical Database, http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/index.html
6 Reader’s Digest, Magic and Medicine of Plants, Reader’s Digest, Surry Hills, 1994.
7 Hendler, S.,S., The Doctor’s Vitamin & Mineral Encyclopedia, Leopard, London, 1995.
8 Hall, D., The Herb Tea Book, Keats Publishing Inc., Connecticut, 1981.
9 Brockhampton Press, Guide to Herbal Remedies, Brockhampton Press, London, 1996.
10 Lust, J., The Herb Book, Bantam Books, USA, 1974.
11 Reilly P, Clinical Application – Medicago sativa extracts, J Naturopathic Medicine, 1(1).
12 Zhao WS, et al, Immunopotentiating effects of polysaccharides isolated from Medicago sativa L. (Abstract), Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1993 May; 14(3):273-6.
13. De Leo V, et al, Treatment of neurovegetative menopausal symptoms with a phytotherapeutic agent (Abstract), Minerva Ginecol, 1998 May; 50(5): 207-211
14. Gray AM, Flatt PR, Pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects of the traditional anti-diabetic plant Medicago sativa (lucerne) (Abstract), Br J Nutr 1997 Aug;78(2):325-334.
Medicago sativa (Version II)
Common name: Alfalfa
Part used: Whole herb (6)
Qualities: salty, bit bitter, neutral, moist, nourishing, thickening, restoring, dissolving. (9)
Active Constituents: Alkaloids (asparagine, trigonelline), coumarin, vitamins, minerals, phytoestrogens (formometin, coumestrol), proteins incl. canaranine (amino acid) (6), 8 digestive enzymes (9)
Actions: (11) * Alkalizing
-
- Galactogogue
- Nutritive
- Hypoglycemic
- Hypocholesterolemic (5)
- Strengthens blood vessels (9)
Indications: (11) * Capillary fragility
-
- Hyperlipoproteinemia (5)
- Hyperglycemia, NIDDM
- Poor lactation
- Gastric Hyperacidity
- Rheumatism assoc. with hyperacidity
- Convalesence(6)
Specific Indication: Vitamin & mineral deficiency (3)
"Enriches liver yin, nourishes blood & relieves fatigue, regulates metabolism" – thus, for all metabolic disorders, incl. anaemia; "Promotes detoxification, resolves toxicosis, protects liver, softens deposits & increases urination. Relieves depression & pain & induces rest." – thus for all chronic & degenerative diseases. (9)
C-I: SLE (Canaranine) (11)
Caution: May affect diabetic BSL (11)
XS doses: may affect anti-coagulation therapy (11)
Dosage: FE 1.5-3ml tds (11)
Dried herb 5-10gm daily (6)
Infusion: 100-200ml daily
Bibliography
- (1) Bone, K. Clinical Applcations of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs, Phytotherapy Press: Australia, 1997.
- (2) Mills, S. The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, Penguin Books: UK, 1991.
- (3) British Herbal Pharmacopeia, UK, 1983.
- (4) Hoffmann, D. The New Holistic Herbal, Element Books: Australia, 1996.
- (5) Murray & Pizzorno, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Llittle, Brown & Co: UK, 1996.
- (6) Mills, S. The Complete Guide of Modern Herbalism, Harper Collins Publishers: UK, 1994.
- (7) Murray, M. The Healing Power of Herbs, Prima Publishing: USA, 1995.
- (8) Potterton, D. (ed.), Culpepper’s Colour Herbal, W.Foulsham & Co: Sydney, 1983.
- (9) Holmes, P. Energetics of Western Herbs Vol 1, Nat Trp, Berkeley, 1986.
- (10) Ses Salmond, Materia Medica Class Notes, Nature Care College, 1997.
- (11) Melanie Koeman, Materia Medica Class Notes, Nature Care College, 1998.
- (12) Mediherb, Modern Phytotherapist, Vol 3, No. 1, Summer 1996, p.10
- (13) Mediherb, Monitor, No.25, March 1998.
- (14) Mediherb, Summary of Uses of Ayuvedic & Chinese Herbs, 1998.