Home Remedies Using Alfalfa

Species Name:  medicago sativa.

Also known as: Lucerne, purple medick, trefoil

What is Alfalfa?

Alfalfa is a perennial legume that grows to a height of one meter. It lives during cool seasons and has a life span from five to twelve years, contingent upon the variety and climate.

It resembles clover and has clusters of small purple flowers and a deep root system that sometimes stretches to four and a half meters that gives it the ability to thrive even during a drought.

The herb is a native of Iran and was likely domesticated during the Bronze Age in order to feed horses that were brought from Central Asia. Today it is widely grown all over the world as forage for cattle, but its most common usage is as hay.

Benefits and Uses of Alfalfa:

Alfalfa has the highest feeding value of any other common legume, and because its root nodules contain bacteria that are able to fix nitrogen, it is capable of producing a high-protein food regardless of the amount of nitrogen that is in the soil.

It is one of the few plants to exhibit auto-toxicity, and because of this, its seeds will not grow in existing stands of alfalfa. What this means for farmers is that alfalfa fields must be cleared or crops rotated before reseeding.

Alfalfa sprouts are sometimes used as salad ingredients, while tender shoots are eaten in some areas as a leafy vegetable. Consumption of older plants is limited because of a very high fiber content.

The leaves of the alfalfa plant contain an abundance of minerals and nutrients including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carotene. The leaves contain eight essential amino acids and are both a good laxative and a natural diuretic.

In addition, it works to alkalize and detoxify the body, especially the liver. It also promotes good pituitary gland function and contains an anti-fungal agent.

Alfalfa is an excellent source of nutritive properties with its abundance of minerals, chlorophyll, and vitamins.

Some Common Uses

  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Kidney, bladder, and prostate disorders
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • Hay fever
  • Appetite stimulant
  • Overall tonic
  • Dietary supplement in tablet, powder, or tea form
  • Leaf tablets
  • As an extract

Side Effects of Alfalfa:

Using alfalfa treatments or preparations do not usually cause any side effects; however, the seeds of the alfalfa plant contain a slightly toxic level of the amino acid L-canavanine.