Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, primarily as a nutritive tonic due to its high content of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. In some herbal traditions, alfalfa is believed to support the endocrine system in general, which includes the pituitary gland (anterior pituitary), though explicit historical references to its use specifically for pituitary support are limited. The rationale is based on the idea that nourishing the body with broad-spectrum nutrients could, in theory, benefit glandular health. However, there is no robust scientific evidence or clinical trials indicating that alfalfa has a direct or specific effect on the anterior pituitary gland or its hormonal output.

Most modern herbalists do not list alfalfa as a primary herb for pituitary function, and major herbal compendia focus on its nutritive qualities and its use as a general tonic. While animal studies have investigated some hormonal effects of alfalfa-derived phytoestrogens, these effects are not specific to the pituitary and are not well-substantiated in humans. In summary, the use of alfalfa for pituitary (anterior) support is based more on traditional, non-specific nutritive uses rather than targeted or scientifically validated actions on this body system.