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

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for a variety of health conditions, including as a general tonic and source of vitamins and minerals. In the context of osteoporosis, alfalfa is sometimes recommended in traditional or folk medicine due to its relatively high content of calcium, vitamin K, and phytoestrogens (plant-based compounds that can have weak estrogen-like effects in the body). Estrogen deficiency is a key factor in the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, so some traditional practitioners have suggested that phytoestrogens may help support bone health. However, scientific evidence for these effects is minimal to absent. There are no high-quality clinical trials demonstrating that alfalfa supplementation improves bone mineral density or reduces fracture risk in humans. Most of the supportive claims are based on the plant's nutrient profile or extrapolations from animal or in vitro studies on phytoestrogens, not on direct clinical outcomes. Therefore, while the use of alfalfa for osteoporosis is rooted in tradition and plausible mechanisms, it is not validated by robust scientific research.

More about alfalfa
More about Osteoporosis