To know about health benefits and role of nutraceuticals in various diseases and understand details of herbs used as neutraceuticals.

1. DIFFERENT HERBS USED
AS HEALTH FOOD
Presented By
AMIT DEVRAT
UNIT - 2
Nutraceuticals

2. 1) ALFALFA
 Synonym :-
 Lucerne, Alfalfa weevil, Buffalo herb.
 Biological Name :-
 It consists of entire herb of Medicago Sativa Linn, family-
Leguminosae.
 Geographical Source :-
 Alfalfa is mainly obtained from the Mediterranean and southwest
Asia.
 It is mainly produced in USA and cultivated in Europe, middle-East,
Africa, South America and Australia.

3.  Description
• Alfalfa is perennial legume with three to twelve(3-12)years
life.
• The plant has deep root, erect or decumbent stems up to
1m in height, glabrous or hairy in the upper parts.
• It has trifoliate leaves with obovate leaflets, 10-45 mm long
and 3-10 mm broad.
• It bears 5 to 40 Yellow, Blue or Purple Flowers. Fruits are
curly pods with 2-8 seeds.

4.  Constituents
• It contains most of the vitamins but it is high in Vitamin-K,
contains Vitamin-C, Thiamin, Riboflavin and Minerals like
Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Iron, Copper,
Manganese, Magnesium and Folate.

5.  Health Benefits of Alfalfa
• Alfalfa is used to treat various disorders such as Kidney, Bladder and
Prostate Disorders Treating Menopausal Symptoms, High BP, Asthma,
Rheuatoid Arthritis and Stomach Upset.
• It is used to treat Kidney Stones, Fever, Gravel, Dysuria and to Relieve
Fluid Retention and Swelling.
• It Possess Estogenic Activity and Used in Treatment of Hormone
Related Cancers.
• Polysaccharides from Alfalfa show Anti - HIV Activity.
• It helps to maintain function of digestive system, nutrition balance in
human body.

6.  Recommended Dosage
• 5 to 10 gm of the Dried Herb can be taken 3 times daily.
 Side Effects
• Use of Alfalfa is safe in adults. But long term use can cause
autoimmune disease called lupus erythematosus.
 Special Precautions
• Avoid the use of Alfalfa in Pregnancy and Lactation because of its
Estrogen like action
• Use of Alfalfa should be avoided in Hormone sensitive conditions
such as Breast Cancer, Uterine Cancer, Ovarian Cancer and
Endometriosis.