You take alfalfa supplements in powdered form or tablet or use alfalfa to make tea.
Because few human kinds of research have been done on alfalfa seeds, leaves, or extract, it’s hard to suggest a safe or effective dose.
Another way to add alfalfa to your daily diet is by eating it as sprouts. You add alfalfa sprouts to your diet in several ways, such as in a sandwich or mixed into a salad.
You can also buy alfalfa at health food stores or sprout them at home. Here’s how:
- Add two tablespoons (tbsp) of alfalfa seeds to a jar, or sprout and cover them with two to four times the amount of cool water.
- Let them soak for 8–12 hours.
- Drain and clean the sprouts with cool water. Drain them and remove water completely.
- Store the sprouts out of sunlight and at room temperature for three days. Then, rinse and remove them every 8–12 hours.
- On day four, relocate the sprouts to an area with sunlight to allow photosynthesis. Continue to rinse and drain them every 8three–12 hours.
- On day five or six, your sprouts are ready to eat.
To make facts easier for you, I have answered many frequently asked questions related to alfalfa at the end of this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does alfalfa contain estrogen?
Alfalfa plants contain phytoestrogens, which act like some human hormones. Alfalfa phytoestrogens cause the growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells.
Is alfalfa good for pregnant women?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Using alfalfa in amounts larger than what is commonly found in food is possibly unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Alfalfa act like estrogen in the body.
What are the side effects of alfalfa?
Alfalfa is considered safe and nutritious but may cause side effects in some people. Due to its high fiber content, consuming raw alfalfa can cause gas, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea.
Does alfalfa tonic increase estrogen?
Alfalfa sprouts are high in plant compounds called phytoestrogens, chemically similar to estrogen. It means that they can cause some of the same effects in the body as estrogen.