Medicago sativa –
Alfalfa
Botanical
Name – Medicago
sativa
Other names – Lucerne, purple medic
Family - Fabaceae
Parts used -
Ariel parts
Alfalfa
in Arabic means ‘father’ and is it possibly due to its action in debility and
as a restorative tonic in both chronic and acute weaknesses.
Alfalfa
is commonly grown for feed for and can be called silage or pasturage.
History
- Chinese used Alfalfa
to treat digestive problems and stimulate appetite. Ayurvedic Indians used
Alfalfa to treat ulcers, arthritic pains and fluid retention. American Pioneers
used Alfalfa to treat arthritis, boils, scurvy, urinary and bowel disorders.
Cultivation
– Alfalfa is a perennial that is
drought, heat and cold tolerant and what is remarkable about alfalfa is that
its root growth is very deep and can give an indication as to how rich the
nutrient dense the soil is, the deeper the roots, the poorer the soil.
It is
commonly grown as a cover crop or is used as a green manure, which means it is
ploughed back into the ground.
Description – It grows to 30–90 cm, arises from a much-branched crown
that is partially embedded in the surface layer of soil. As it plant
develops, numerous stems bearing trifoliate leaves arise
from the crown buds. Racemes of small flowers arise from
the upper axillary buds of the stems. Flowers produce corkscrew-coiled legumes containing
two to eight or more seeds. Similar to many other members of Fabaceae, alfalfa
plants house symbiotic soil bacteria (rhizobia) in their root nodules to 'fix' nitrogen from
the air into the soil, thus making it accessible to other plants.
Active
Constituents - It the herb that is extremely high
in a range of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It is deemed one of the most
nutritive herbs that contains one of the best sources of protein.
Nutrients
it contains include Pro-vitamin A, Beta-carotene, Vit E, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9,
Vit C, Vit D and K, Biotin, Amino Acids, Ca, P, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Chlorophyll,
Protein, Fat, Steroidal saponins and Isoflavonoid Phytolexins.
Actions
- Anti-arthritic
- Alterative
- Antipyretic
- Diuretic
- Hemostatic
- Hypocholesterolemic
Indications
– Alfalfa
is used for kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, and to increase
urine flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, asthma, osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, upset stomach, and a bleeding disorder called
thrombocytopenic purpura. People also take alfalfa as a source of vitamins A,
C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron.
It is a herb that has
shown in research to lower cholesterol by binding the bile salts necessary for
cholesterol absorption.
It
is also deemed to contain a form of protein that has an anti-tumour action. It
will neutralize complex cellular carcinogenic agents in the colon, liver and
small intestine especially before they have chance to do damage.
The
steroidal saponins (soyasapogenols, hederagenin, medicagenic acid) are believed
to have cholesterol lowering and haemolytic activity. In a study with prairie dogs, the lowest incidence of cholesterol
gallstones was obtained with the diet of the higher fiber content (85%
alfalfa).
Other
indications are in helping to prevent strokes and heart disease.
Dosage
- 2 capsules can be taken with
every meal
5-10g
of dried herb can be taken daily as an infusion
5-10ml
daily of a 1:1 Fluid Extract in 25% alcohol
Cautions - Alfalfa is contra-indicated in Lupus.
It is oestrogenic. Taking alfalfa along with birth control pills might decrease
the effectiveness of birth control pills
Alfalfa might cause the immune system to become more active,
and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. There are two
case reports of SLE patients experiencing disease flare after taking alfalfa
seed products long-term.
Contra-indicated with warfarin medication as alfalfa contains
high amount so Vitamin K.
Alfalfa dried herb is only $5.80 per 100g, you can purchase it here
Until the next herb, seeing you all in happiness and health
Louise Plant
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