Unlike ancient times, when the woman was always blamed, it is now known that in 40-50% of cases of infertility, the cause is a male factor. In another 20%, both partners contribute. Men struggling with infertility may find help in an unexpected place: alfalfa seeds.
The goal in maximizing male fertility is increasing sperm count and sperm quality. In traditional Persian medicine, alfalfa seeds have been used to enhance sperm quality and male fertility.
Alfalfa is loaded in nutrients and antioxidants and is safe. This double-blind study gave 60 infertile men either 100 IU of vitamin E plus a placebo or 100 IU vitamin E plus 6g of alfalfa seed powder a day for 12 weeks.
Compared to the placebo group, there was significant improvement in sperm count, sperm morphology (shape) and sperm motility (movement).
While there were no pregnancies in partners in the placebo group, there were 4 in the alfalfa group.
This study offers promise for infertile men by showing that something as safe, simple and inexpensive as alfalfa supplements can improve sperm count and quality and fertility.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology. March 2024;322:117606.