* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Other Names: Luzerne (French); Luzerne (German); alfa-alfa (Italian).
Description: Lucerne is a perennial herb with trifoliate leaves, clusters of small flowers that range from yellow to blue or purple and characteristically coiled pods.
Origin: Indigenous to southwestern Asia (Turkey) but naturalised in Europe for many centuries, and in all temperate and tropical parts of North America and Africa. It has become one of the most important of all cultivated pasture and fodder plants.
Parts Used: Stems and leaves (Medicago sativae herba), seeds and sprouts.
Therapeutic Category: General tonic (possibly cholesterol-lowering).
Uses and Properties: Lucerne is better known as a fodder and food than as a medicinal plant. The sprouts (germinated seeds) are popular as a health food and ground dried herb may be given to convalescents as a dietary supplement and general tonic because it is rich in minerals and vitamins. It is considered useful in lowering cholesterol levels.
Preparation and Dosage: About 5 - 10 g of the dried herb is taken three times a day.
Active Ingredients: Leaves and seeds contain a large number of chemical compounds, including organic acids, free amino acids, non-protein amino acids (especially canavanine), stachydrine, coumarins (medicagol), isoflavonoids (coumestrol, genistein and others), saponins (glycosides of hederagenin, medica- genic acid and soyasapogenols), steroids (mainly beta-sitosterol, some campesterol, stigmasterol, and others).
Pharmacological Effects: Animal studies have indicated that the saponins decrease intestinal absorption of cholesterol (and lower its concentration in blood) and prevent arteriosclerosis. In a human study, it was found that 40 g of seeds three times a day helped to normalise cholesterol levels in the blood serum of hyperlipoproteinaemic patients. Also high levels of manganese (45.5 mg/kg) are thought to lower cholesterol in some people. Coumestrol and genistein have documented oestrogenic effects.
Status: Traditional medicine (dietary supplement).
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Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
Massive amounts of alfalfa in the diet could result in symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or in reversible pancytopenia. Excessive ingestion of the seeds should therefore be avoided, particularly in persons with a history of SLE. In the USA, alfalfa is listed as GRAS ("Generally Regarded as Safe").
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
TerraVita is packed in childproof, tamper-proof pharmaceutical-grade recyclable containers.
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
