Evidence supporting the use of: Alfalfa
For the health condition: Menopause

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has a long-standing history in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Western folk practices, for supporting various women's health concerns, including menopause. The rationale behind its use centers on its phytoestrogen content—plant compounds structurally similar to human estrogen. Phytoestrogens are believed to exert mild estrogenic effects in the body, potentially alleviating symptoms associated with declining estrogen levels during menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

Historically, alfalfa has been consumed as a tea, supplement, or food to promote hormonal balance. However, the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for menopause-related symptoms remains limited and inconclusive. Most available data come from in vitro studies or animal research, which indicate that alfalfa contains isoflavones and coumestans—types of phytoestrogens. Human clinical trials specifically examining alfalfa for menopause are scarce; thus, most claims are extrapolated from studies on other phytoestrogen-rich plants like soy or red clover.

Safety is generally supported for dietary amounts, but higher doses may interact with medications or have contraindications for certain populations (e.g., hormone-sensitive cancers). In summary, while alfalfa’s use for menopause is rooted in traditional practices and supported by theoretical mechanisms, direct scientific validation remains weak, meriting a low-to-moderate evidence rating.

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Other ingredients used for Menopause

27-deoxyactein
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
8-Prenylnaringenin
Achyranthes
Agnuside
Agrimonia pilosa
Akebia
Alchemilla
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
amaranth
Anemarrhena
anemarrhena asphodeloides
antler
Ashoka
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
banyan
barrenwort
bee pollen
bioflavonoids
black cohosh
black currant
black root
black seed
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese silkvine
Clary sage
Cnidium
cohosh
cordyceps
Crinum latifolium
Cynomorium
daidzein
damiana
danshen
DHEA
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
dog rose
dong quai
dong quai root
durian
eleuthero
elk antler
equol (proprietary)
estrogen
Euryale seed
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
Ficus religiosa
fish oil
flaxseed
fo-ti
genistein
genistin
Glycetein
goji berry
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
horny goat weed
Hypericum
Indian frankincense
isoflavones
jujube
knotweed
kudzu
Labisia pumila
Lady's Mantle
lemon balm
licorice root
lignans
linden
lingzhi
Loranthus
lotus
Lycium
maca
macaenes
macamides
Marine lipid
Meadow sage
Melatonin
Miroestrol
Montanoa tomentosa
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ophiopogon root
Phytoestrogens
pollen
Polygonum
pomegranate
Prickly Pear Cactus
Puerain
Pulsatilla
red clover
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhubarb
rockweed
Rooibos
root tuber
Rosa laevigata
rose
rose oil
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
rue
saffron
sage
seaweed
smilax
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
soybean
Stone Root
Valerian root
Vervain
Viburnum
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Wild yam
Withanolides
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade