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Dietary supplement

Alfalfa Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbal Terra

Alfalfa label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Alfalfa against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Alfalfa is a dietary supplement by Herbal Terra with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, digestive complaints, menopausal symptoms.Based on those ingredients, 583 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Alfalfa by Herbal Terra

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Alfalfa by Herbal Terra — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Alfalfa by Herbal Terra

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 16, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: certified organic alfalfa dried seed liquid extract. Alfalfa is a plant traditionally used in herbal medicine; the liquid extract form concentrates its compounds.

The product also contains menstruum, a liquid used to extract and preserve the herb.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Alfalfa product and its label doesn't state a use — see Alfalfa's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The effectiveness data we hold for alfalfa doesn't support its use for any condition at this time. The evidence for diabetes, indigestion (dyspepsia), high cholesterol, and menopausal symptoms is listed as insufficient — meaning the research either hasn't been done thoroughly or the results are unclear.

If you're considering this for a specific health reason, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist to see what the current evidence suggests.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Alfalfa

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Alfalfa leaf is generally well tolerated in small amounts, but the safety data for supplement doses — especially chronic use — isn't thorough. The most common side effects are abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, flatulence, and bulkier stools, particularly in the first week.

A few people have reported skin rashes (dermatitis) after using alfalfa; in one case from 1954, a woman who drank alfalfa seed tea for two months developed facial swelling and redness that improved once she stopped. Rare but serious, a lupus-like syndrome has been reported after long-term alfalfa use.

Because alfalfa has estrogen-like activity, it's best avoided in supplement doses during pregnancy. There isn't enough safety data to know whether supplement doses are okay while breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're nursing.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Alfalfa

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Alfalfa.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 583 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you start, double-check your medications with the tool below, especially blood thinners like warfarin (Major interaction), and also contraceptive pills, hormone therapy, diabetes drugs, immunosuppressants, and photosensitizing medications (all Moderate). One case report tied alfalfa to low blood sugar in a diabetic patient.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Herbal Terra Alfalfa is one to clear with your doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you take blood thinners, birth control, diabetes medications, or hormone therapy. The evidence for what it's used for — high cholesterol, blood sugar, indigestion — isn't established yet.

If you decide to try it, expect possible digestive upset, and watch for skin rashes or any signs of a lupus-like illness with long-term use.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 21, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Alfalfa, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbal Terra
Barcode (UPC) 7429523561530
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 21, 2020
DSLD ID 233814
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Alfalfa by Herbal Terra, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
7429523561530
IngredientAmount% DV
certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract970 mg--

Other ingredients: Menstruum

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Origin of plant material: USA.

Manufactured in the USA in an FDA registered facility

Sugar free

Dried herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3 Expertly extracted Laboratory tested 330 mg/1 mL Premium product Super concentrated liquid herbal extract

Non GMO

No artificial ingredients, GMO, gluten, color additives, fillers, preservatives or binders. Natural Gluten Free

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Direction Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz of juice or water up to 4 times a day. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking this or any other herbal supplements.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Notice This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Caution May have contraindications.

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Formula

Medicago sativa

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Made in USA Made in an FDA registered facility Natural Gluten Free

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Alfalfa by Herbal Terra label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Alfalfa label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Alfalfa by Herbal Terra

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract

Interacts with
583 drugs
970 mg per serving

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich legume that people use for high cholesterol, menopause symptoms, and general wellness, but solid human evidence for most of...

Certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Menstruum. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Alfalfa by Herbal Terra Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Alfalfa?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
583Drugs
2 Major 581 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract 583

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Alfalfa interact with 583 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Alfalfa interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Alfalfa with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract6 drug types · 583 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Theoretically, alfalfa might reduce the anticoagulant activity of warfarin.
Alfalfa contains a large amount of vitamin K. This could theoretically interfere with the activity of warfarin.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, alfalfa might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that alfalfa decreases blood sugar in diabetic mice. Also, in one case report, a diabetic patient experienced hypoglycemia after consuming alfalfa extract. Monitor blood glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments might be necessary.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Contraceptive Drugs

Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with the activity of contraceptive drugs.
Alfalfa contains coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, and isoflavonoids, which have estrogenic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Estrogens

Theoretically, alfalfa might interfere with hormone therapy.
Alfalfa contains coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, and isoflavonoids, which have estrogenic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, alfalfa might decrease the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy.
In vitro research and human case reports suggest that alfalfa may have immunostimulant effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Photosensitizing Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of alfalfa with photosensitizing drugs might have additive effects.
Animal research suggests that excessive doses of alfalfa may increase photosensitivity, possibly due to its chlorophyll content. It is unclear if this effect would be clinically relevant in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
certified organic Alfalfa dried seed liquid extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Alfalfa, from the product label.

Herbal Terra

See all Herbal Terra products
Name
Herbal Terra
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Alfalfa by Herbal Terra: Common Questions

Does Alfalfa by Herbal Terra interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Alfalfa has a known interaction with 583 medications, including 2 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Alfalfa contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm on warfarin or another blood thinner?
No — not without talking to your doctor first. Alfalfa contains a lot of vitamin K, which can reduce how well blood thinners work. This is a Major interaction. Check with your own doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
What are the common side effects?
Digestive trouble is most common: stomach discomfort, diarrhea, gas, and looser or bulkier stools — especially in the first week. A few people have reported skin rashes. Rarely, long-term use has been linked to a lupus-like illness.
Does alfalfa actually work for high cholesterol or blood sugar?
The evidence we hold isn't strong enough to say. Research on alfalfa for those conditions is either incomplete or unclear, so we can't confirm it works for them.
Is it safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
No — the safety data advises against it during pregnancy because alfalfa has estrogen-like effects. While breastfeeding, there isn't enough data to know either way, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Can I take this with birth control pills or hormone therapy?
You'll need to check with your doctor or pharmacist first. Alfalfa contains plant compounds with estrogen-like effects that might theoretically interfere with how these medications work.
What is menstruum in the ingredient list?
Menstruum is a liquid used to extract and preserve the alfalfa herb in this liquid supplement. It's not an active ingredient — just part of how the product is made.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Alfalfa label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Alfalfa’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Alfalfa

Interacts with 583 drugs

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich legume that people use for high cholesterol, menopause symptoms, and general wellness, but solid human evidence for most of these uses is limited. It is best avoid...

Read the full Alfalfa monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Alfalfa's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 32 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Alfalfa 32 references
  1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  4. Kurzer MS, Xu X. Dietary phytoestrogens. Annu Rev Nutr 1997;17:353-81. PubMed
  5. Farber JM, Carter AO, Varughese PV, et al. Listeriosis traced to the consumption of alfalfa tablets and soft cheese [Letter to the Editor]. N Engl J Med 1990;322:338. PubMed
  6. Molgaard J, von Schenck H, Olsson AG. Alfalfa seeds lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B concentrations in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Atherosclerosis 1987;65:173-9. PubMed
  7. Light TD, Light JA. Acute renal transplant rejection possibly related to herbal medications. Am J Transplant 2003;3:1608-9. PubMed
  8. Prete PE. The mechanism of action of L-canavanine in inducing autoimmune phenomena. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:1198-200. PubMed
  9. Alcocer-Varela J, Iglesias A, Llorente L, Alarcon-Segovia D. Effects of L-canavanine on T cells may explain the induction of systemic lupus erythematosus by alfalfa. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:52-7. PubMed
  10. Roberts JL, Hayashi JA. Exacerbation of SLE associated with alfalfa ingestion. N Engl J Med 1983;308:1361. DOI
  11. Feingold, R. M. Should we fear "health foods"? Arch Intern Med 7-12-1999;159(13):1502. PubMed
  12. Taormina, P. J., Beuchat, L. R., and Slutsker, L. Infections associated with eating seed sprouts: an international concern. Emerg.Infect.Dis 1999;5(5):626-634. PubMed
  13. Backer, H. D., Mohle-Boetani, J. C., Werner, S. B., Abbott, S. L., Farrar, J., and Vugia, D. J. High incidence of extra-intestinal infections in a Salmonella Havana outbreak associated with alfalfa sprouts. Public Health Rep. 2000;115(4):339-345. PubMed
  14. Mohle-Boetani J, Werner B, Polumbo M, and et al. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alfalfa sprouts-- Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico, February-April, 2001. JAMA 2-6-2002;287(5):581-582.
  15. Howard, M. B. and Hutcheson, S. W. Growth dynamics of Salmonella enterica strains on alfalfa sprouts and in waste seed irrigation water. Appl.Environ.Microbiol. 2003;69(1):548-553.
  16. Winthrop, K. L., Palumbo, M. S., Farrar, J. A., Mohle-Boetani, J. C., Abbott, S., Beatty, M. E., Inami, G., and Werner, S. B. Alfalfa sprouts and Salmonella Kottbus infection: a multistate outbreak following inadequate seed disinfection with heat and chl
  17. Strapp, C. M., Shearer, A. E., and Joerger, R. D. Survey of retail alfalfa sprouts and mushrooms for the presence of Escherichia coil O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria with BAX, and evaluation of this polymerase chain reaction-based system with experimen
  18. Akaogi, J., Barker, T., Kuroda, Y., Nacionales, D. C., Yamasaki, Y., Stevens, B. R., Reeves, W. H., and Satoh, M. Role of non-protein amino acid L-canavanine in autoimmunity. Autoimmun.Rev 2006;5(6):429-435. PubMed
  19. Burden and causes of foodborne disease in Australia: Annual report of the OzFoodNet network, 2005. Commun.Dis Intell. 2006;30(3):278-300.
  20. Shemesh, M., Lindner, H. R., and Ayalon, N. Affinity of rabbit uterine oestradiol receptor for phyto-oestrogens and its use in a competitive protein-binding radioassay for plasma coumestrol. J Reprod.Fertil. 1972;29(1):1-9. PubMed
  21. Elakovich, S. D. and Hampton, J. M. Analysis of coumestrol, a phytoestrogen, in alfalfa tablets sold for human consumption. J Agric.Food Chem. 1984;32(1):173-175. PubMed
  22. Malinow, M. R., Bardana, E. J., Jr., Pirofsky, B., Craig, S., and McLaughlin, P. Systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome in monkeys fed alfalfa sprouts: role of a nonprotein amino acid. Science 4-23-1982;216(4544):415-417. PubMed
  23. Malinow, M. R., McLaughlin, P., and Stafford, C. Alfalfa seeds: effects on cholesterol metabolism. Experientia 5-15-1980;36(5):562-564. PubMed
  24. Farnsworth, N. R. Alfalfa pills and autoimmune diseases. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;62(5):1026-1028. DOI
  25. Herbert, V. and Kasdan, T. S. Alfalfa, vitamin E, and autoimmune disorders. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60(4):639-640.
  26. Mahon, B. E., Ponka, A., Hall, W. N., Komatsu, K., Dietrich, S. E., Siitonen, A., Cage, G., Hayes, P. S., Lambert-Fair, M. A., Bean, N. H., Griffin, P. M., and Slutsker, L. An international outbreak of Salmonella infections caused by alfalfa sprouts grow
  27. Gray, A. M. and Flatt, P. R. Pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects of the traditional anti- diabetic plant, Medicago sativa (lucerne). Br J Nutr. 1997;78(2):325-334.
  28. Van Beneden, C. A., Keene, W. E., Strang, R. A., Werker, D. H., King, A. S., Mahon, B., Hedberg, K., Bell, A., Kelly, M. T., Balan, V. K., Mac Kenzie, W. R., and Fleming, D. Multinational outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections due to
  29. Rubenstein AH, Levin NW, and Elliott GA. Manganese-induced hypoglycemia. Lancet 1962;1348-1351.
  30. Kaufman W. Alfalfa seed dermatitis. JAMA 1954;155(12):1058-1059. PubMed
  31. Ponka A, Andersson Y, Siitonen A, and et al. Salmonella in alfalfa sprouts. Lancet 1995;345:462-463. PubMed
  32. Puschner B, Chen X, Read D, Affolter VK. Alfalfa hay induced primary photosensitization in horses. Vet J. 2016 May;211:32-8. PubMed

See these in context on the Alfalfa monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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