Mohon maaf semua entry kali ni diana terpaksa 'speaking London' sebab maklumat yang diana perolehi ni fully bahasa inggeris. Nak terjemahkan dalam bahasa melayu pun diana tak pakar. Hihihihi....
Alfalfa
What is it?
Alfalfa
is an herb. People use the leaves, sprouts, and seeds to make medicine.
Alfalfa is used for kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, and to
increase urine flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, asthma,
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, upset stomach, and a bleeding
disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura. People also take alfalfa as a source
of vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and
iron.
Natural
Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence
according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly
Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and
Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
The effectiveness ratings for ALFALFA are as follows:
Insufficient evidence to rate
effectiveness for...
- Lowering
cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. Taking alfalfa seeds seems
to lower total cholesterol and “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels.
- Kidney
problems.
- Bladder
problems.
- Prostate
problems.
- Asthma.
- Arthritis.
- Diabetes.
- Upset
stomach.
- Other
conditions.
More
evidence is needed to rate alfalfa for these uses.
Alfalfa
seems to prevent cholesterol absorption in the gut.
Are there safety concerns?
Alfalfa
leaves are POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults. But taking alfalfa seeds
long-term is LIKELY UNSAFE. Alfalfa seed products may cause reactions
that are similar to the autoimmune disease called lupus erythematosus.
Alfalfa might also cause some people's skin to become extra sensitive to the
sun. Wear sunblock outside, especially if you are light-skinned.
Special precautions &
warnings:
Pregnancy : Using
alfalfa in larger than food amounts is POSSIBLY UNSAFE during pregnancy.
There is some evidence that alfalfa may act like estrogen, and this might
affect the pregnancy.
“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic
lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions:
Alfalfa might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could
increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. There are two case reports of
SLE patients experiencing disease flare after taking alfalfa seed products
long-term. If you have an auto-immune condition, it’s best to avoid using
alfalfa until more is known.
Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian
cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Alfalfa might have the same
effects as the female hormone estrogen. If you have any condition that might be
made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use alfalfa.
Diabetes: Alfalfa might lower blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes
and take alfalfa, monitor your blood sugar levels closely.
Kidney transplant: There is one report of a kidney transplant rejection
following the three-month use of a supplement that contained alfalfa and black
cohosh. This outcome is more likely due to alfalfa than black cohosh. There is
some evidence that alfalfa can boost the immune system and this might make the
anti-rejection drug cyclosporine less effective.
Are there
interactions with medications?
Major
Do not
take this combination.
Warfarin
(Coumadin)
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.
Moderate
Be
cautious with this combination.
Birth
control pills (Contraceptive drugs)
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
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)
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.
Medications
that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs)
Some
medications can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Large doses of alfalfa might
also increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Taking alfalfa along with
medication that increase sensitivity to sunlight could make you even more
sensitive to sunlight, increasing the chances of sunburn, blistering or rashes on
areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective
clothing when spending time in the sun.
Some drugs that cause photosensitivity include amitriptyline (Elavil),
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin),
ofloxacin (Floxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin
(Tequin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Septra),
tetracycline, methoxsalen (8-methoxypsoralen, 8-MOP, Oxsoralen), and Trioxsalen
(Trisoralen).
Are there interactions with herbs
and supplements?
Vitamin E
Alfalfa
might interfere with the way the body takes in and uses vitamin E.
Are there interactions with
foods?
There are
no known interactions with foods.
What dose is used?
The following doses have been
studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For
high cholesterol: a typical dose is 5-10 grams of the herb, or as a
steeped strained tea, three times a day. 5-10 mL of a liquid extract (1:1
in 25% alcohol) three times a day has also been used.
This copyrighted, evidence-based medicine resource is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
disclaims any responsibility related to consequences of using any
product. This monograph should not replace advice from a healthcare
professional and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of
any medical condition.
