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

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