If you have never tried alfalfa leaf powder, you’re missing out on a major nutrient powerhouse!  

Alfalfa leaf powder is a highly concentrated form of alfalfa, a word that means “father of all foods” in Arabic. True to its name, alfalfa has been used in traditional herbal medicine for hundreds of years in China, Turkey, Iraq, and America.^{1, 2}

Health Benefits of Alfalfa Leaf Powder

Ancient cultures valued alfalfa, also called Medicago sativa, for it’s healing properties. They had no idea of the nutrient profile of this plant, of course, only that they witnessed the almost miraculous health results of its application. 

Modern medical science has only recently discovered why alfalfa leaf is said to provide so many health benefits. Seems alfalfa is a major source of phytoconstituents, chemical compounds that protect plants from bugs, fungi, and other threats. 

Major classes of phytoconstituents in alfalfa include:³

• Saponins
• Flavonoids
• Phytoestrogens
• Coumarins
• Alkaloids
• Amino acids
• Phytosterols
• Digestive enzymes
• Terpenes

Though often deadly or at the very least a deterrent to bugs and other threats, these chemicals are often beneficial for human health!

Alfalfa leaf also includes the following vitamins and minerals:⁴

• Vitamin K.
• Vitamin C
• Copper
• Manganese
• Folate
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Magnesium
• Iron

Given the nutrient profile of alfalfa, it’s not surprises it has been used to treat infections, ulcers, heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, and more.⁵

Here are 3 science-backed health benefits of alfalfa leaf.

May Boost Immune System

Clinical research studies suggest alfalfa leaf may boost immunity due to its saponin content. Saponins are found in over 100 families of plants and have been shown to have amazing health benefits. Research suggests saponins may support the immune system and overall health...and may even defend against cancer.⁶

May Lower Cholesterol

There is also strong scientific evidence that saponins in alfalfa leaf may also reduce blood lipids, thereby lowering cholesterol levels. Over time, high cholesterol causes plaque deposit in your blood vessels that can accumulate, eventually cutting off blood flow to your heart or brain and causing heart attack or stroke.^{7, 8}

May Defend Against Illness and Disease

Alfalfa leaf is a rich source of flavonoids, a phytochemical found only in plant foods. Multiple research studies indicate that flavonoids have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help defend against many conditions and diseases. For instance, studies show that flavonoids may help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes. As many experts believe chronic inflammation to be the underlying cause of most chronic health conditions, alfalfa’s potent anti-inflammatory properties may indeed support overall health and defend against most chronic illnesses. ^{9, 10, 11, 12}

Alfalfa Leaf Powder for YOUR Health!

Alfalfa leaf powder is one of the superfoods included in Garden in my Glass, SANE’s proprietary blend of optimal powdered fruits and vegetables. Simply add it to your morning smoothie or sprinkle it over your food to experience its amazing health-promoting benefits. Click here to learn more about Garden in my Glass and to place your order before supplies of this phenomenally popular product runs out! 

References

1- Dr. Edward Group. Benefits of Alfalfa Leaf. Global Healing. Nov 24, 2015. Accessed Jan 12, 2021. Accessed Jan 12, 2021. https://globalhealing.com/natural-health/benefits-of-alfalfa-leaf/

2- Bora KS, Sharma A. Phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Medicago sativa: a review. Pharm Biol. 2011 Feb;49(2):211-20. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2010.504732. Epub 2010 Oct 25. PMID: 20969516.

3- Bora KS, Sharma A. Phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Medicago sativa: a review. Pharm Biol. 2011 Feb;49(2):211-20. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2010.504732. Epub 2010 Oct 25. PMID: 20969516.

4- Nutrition Date. Alfalfa Seeds, Sprouted, Raw. Accessed Jan 14, 2021. https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2302/2

5- Bora KS, Sharma A. Phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Medicago sativa: a review. Pharm Biol. 2011 Feb;49(2):211-20. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2010.504732. Epub 2010 Oct 25. PMID: 20969516.

6- Shi J, Arunasalam K, Yeung D, Kakuda Y, Mittal G, Jiang Y. Saponins from edible legumes: chemistry, processing, and health benefits. J Med Food. 2004 Spring;7(1):67-78. doi: 10.1089/109662004322984734. PMID: 15117556.

7- Shi J, Arunasalam K, Yeung D, Kakuda Y, Mittal G, Jiang Y. Saponins from edible legumes: chemistry, processing, and health benefits. J Med Food. 2004 Spring;7(1):67-78. doi: 10.1089/109662004322984734. PMID: 15117556.

8- Mayo Clinic Staff. High Cholesterol. Mayo Clinic. Accessed Jan 14, 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800

9- Clark JL, Zahradka P, Taylor CG. Efficacy of flavonoids in the management of high blood pressure. Nutr Rev. 2015 Dec;73(12):799-822. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuv048. Epub 2015 Oct 21. PMID: 26491142.

10- Ponzo, V., Goitre, I., Fadda, M. et al. Dietary flavonoid intake and cardiovascular risk: a population-based cohort study. J Transl Med 13, 218 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-015-0573-2

11- Xu H, Luo J, Huang J, Wen Q. Flavonoids intake and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(19):e0686. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010686

12- Hunter P. The inflammation theory of disease. The growing realization that chronic inflammation is crucial in many diseases opens new avenues for treatment. EMBO Rep. 2012;13(11):968-970. doi:10.1038/embor.2012.142