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OH ALFALFA!!!  I was so surprised when I began researching vitamin supplements, and discovered the huge benefits of all natural, pure alfalfa. First, I think it is important to tell you that all supplements are not the same. I DO NOT recommend that you go out and pick up the first bottle of any vitamin or herb I mention and start taking it. Actually, I only recommend one brand of any vitamins and supplements – because I know they are safe (many other brands out are not safe, so be careful) and worth your money. If you are interested in why I promote Shaklee products, check out this blog –

https://thenpmom.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/why-i-choose-shaklee-nutritional-supplements/

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a plant in the pea family, making it a legume. It contains a variety of nutrients, according to Dr. Tarlok Singh Sahota of the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station. Alfalfa provides eight amino acids, which the body needs in order to build proteins. It also provides a wide range of vitamins, as well as minerals such as calcium.

Alfalfa means “father of all foods” in Arabic. It has held a valued place in the ancient herbal traditions of India, China, and Spain. It’s a storehouse of nutrients because its tap root can reach down as deep as 20 feet. Therefore, it gets nutrients and minerals from deep down AND its leaves gather large amounts of chlorophyll through the natural process of photosynthesis.

What Is Alfalfa Good For?

There are many benefits of alfalfa which include:

  • Arthritis, bursitis, or rheumatism
  • chronic indigestion or ulcers
  • Fluid retention
  • fatigue
  • allergies, sinus problems or asthma
  • urinary tract or prostate problems
  • bad breath or body odor
  • sore muscles
  • gout
  • deteriorating eyesight
  • high blood pressure or cholesterol
  • acne or other skin ailments.

I absolutely DO NOT recommend you stop any medications you are currently taking, and begin taking alfalfa in place of those medications. What I do recommend, is that you talk with your health care provider about adding alfalfa to your current regimen.

All Alfalfa Is Not the Same

Some companies grind up the roots, stems and leaves of alfalfa all together and market it. This can be very dangerous, as the roots and stems will “stress” the kidneys, and could potentially cause kidney damage. Shaklee only uses the leaf portion of the plant….and it’s harvested at night when the nutrients rise into the leaf. No artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors or preservatives are added. No pesticides. The meticulous process of tableting alfalfa is a “Signature Formula” originally developed by Dr. Shaklee in the 1950s. Shaklee Alfalfa is the most superior alfalfa on the market.

Interested in ordering pure alfalfa, copy and paste this link –

http://thenpmom.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20153

Medication Interactions:

There are some medications that will interact with Alfalfa – and are not recommended to be taken together. This includes:

Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with ALFALFA

Alfalfa contains large amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is used by the body to help blood clot. Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. By helping the blood clot, alfalfa might decrease the effectiveness of warfarin (Coumadin). Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin (Coumadin) might need to be changed.

The following medications could interact – so it important to talk to your health care provider about alfalfa supplementation:

  • Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs) interacts with ALFALFA

Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Alfalfa might have some of the same effects as estrogen. But alfalfa isn’t as strong as the estrogen in birth control pills. Taking alfalfa along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with alfalfa, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.

Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.

  • Estrogens interacts with ALFALFA

Large amounts of alfalfa might have some of the same effects as estrogen. But even large amount of alfalfa aren’t as strong as estrogen pills. Taking alfalfa along with estrogen pills might decrease the effects of estrogen pills.

Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.

  • Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with ALFALFA

Alfalfa might increase the immune system. By increasing the immune system, alfalfa might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.

Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.

Have you used alfalfa or another herb? I would love to hear about it! Be smart and always talk to your health care provider about any vitamin or herb supplementation.

Consider giving alfalfa a try~