Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Alfalfa The Safety Factor
No one should ever eat alfalfa seeds. They contain relatively high levels of the toxic amino acid canavanine. Over time, large quantities of alfalfa seeds may introduce enough canavanine into the body to cause the reversible blood disorder pancytopenia, according to a report in LanGet. This condition impairs the platelets, which are necessary for clotting, and the white blood cells, which fight infection.
The canavanine in alfalfa seeds has also been linked to systemic lupus erythematosus, a serious inflammatory disease that can attack many organs, particularly the kidneys. Alfalfa seeds have reactivated the disease in some people who were in remission, according to a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Another study showed the seeds actually induce lupus in monkeys Anyone with lupus should stay away from alfalfa seeds.
Alfalfa also contains saponins, chemicals that may destroy red blood cells and-at least theoretically-cause anemia. Because of this, some herb critics warn against ingesting alfalfa (and the many other healing herbs that contain saponins) in any form. Such dire warnings seem unjustified. For otherwise healthy, nonpregnant, nonnursing adults, alfalfa is considered safe in amounts typically recommended. There have been no reports of otherwise healthy people developing anemia from using recommended amounts of healing herbs containing saponins. However, anyone with anemia should use this herb only with his doctor’s approval, if at all
Leaf It Be
Alfalfa leaf is on the Food and Drug Administration’s list of herbs generally regarded as safe.
Alfalfa should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your physician If alfalfa causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less.