Alfalfa

Medicago sativa L., alfalfa, is a long-lived perennial legume. Flowers vary in color from purple to yellow and are borne in loose clusters. Pods of alfalfa range from the sickle type to those that are twisted into spirals. Each pod contains several small kidney shaped seeds. Alfalfa’s stems are erect and grow from a woody crown to about 2 to 3 feet tall. New growth occurs from buds in the crown. The plant has a tap root which may penetrate deep into the soil. Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem and are normally trifoliate.


Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) is a member of the legume family and is an excellent source of a number of minerals including calcium, copper, iron, folate, magnesium, Zinc, manganese, phosphorous, potassium and silicon. Alfalfa is also rich in the B vitamins as well as Vitamins C, E and K as well as beta-carotene. Some health experts’ claim that Alfalfa is also a rich source of vitamin A but research has not borne this out to date.


One of the common uses of alfalfa is to both detoxify as well as alkalize the human body. This herb is also a remedy for a number of different health problems such as bad breath, constipation and ulcers. Alfalfa has also been shown to be beneficial in treating Cancer, Diabetes, endometriosis, Arthritis, anemia, osteoporosis, and Atherosclerosis.


Botanical Name: Medicago sativa.

Common Name: Buffalo Herb, Lucerne, Purple Medic.

Plant Family: Papilionacae (a member of the pea family).



History


A book on agriculture by the Roman writer Palladius, dated 4th century AD, includes a section about alfalfa. Palladius says: "One sow-down lasts ten years. The crop may be cut four or six times a year.... An [Roman] acre of it is abundantly sufficient for three horses all the year.... It may be given to cattle, but new provender is at first to be administered very sparingly, because it bloats up the cattle." Palladius called alfalfa "medica", a name that referred to the Medes, a people who lived in ancient Iran. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed, very probably correctly, that the alfalfa plant came from the Medes land (in today's Iran). (The ancient Greeks and Romans also used the name medica to mean a citron fruit, once again because it was believed to have come from the Medes land). The ancient Roman name medica is the root of the modern scientific name for the alfalfa genus, Medicago. Despite the report in Palladius and in some other Roman and ancient Greek writers, there is little evidence that alfalfa was in widespread use in the Mediterranean region in those days.


The 13th century Arabic dictionary Lisan al-Arab says that "al-fiṣfiṣa" (alfalfa) is cultivated as an animal feed and consumed in both fresh and dried form. In medieval Spain, the Arabic name "al-fisfisa" mutated into the Spanish name "alfalfa". Alfalfa in medieval Spain was cultivated as fodder for horses and had a reputation as the best fodder for them. In the 16th century, Spanish colonizers introduced alfalfa to the Americas as fodder for their horses. The English name "alfalfa" dates from mid-19th century far-west USA, from the Spanish. Alfalfa seeds were imported to California from Chile in the 1850s. That was the beginning of a rapid and extensive introduction of the crop over the western US States. In the North American colonies of the eastern US back in the 18th century it was called "lucerne" and lots of trials at growing it were made, but generally without getting satisfactory results. Relatively very little alfalfa is grown in the eastern US still today. Today in France and Germany, and also in Britain and Australia, alfalfa is usually called "lucerne", "luzerne", a word that arose in French in the 16th century. Since North and South America now produce a large part of the world's output, the word "alfalfa" has been slowly entering into other languages besides English and Spanish.



Is the plant Alfalfa Beneficial? (Benefits)

Alfalfa helps lower cholesterol

There is convincing clinical evidence that alfalfa lowers cholesterol and improves the cholesterol panel (HDL vs. LDL). In several studies, alfalfa supplementation reduced blood cholesterol levels, particularly for individuals with a specific kind of high cholesterol known as type II hyperlipoproteinemia. It appears that the fibers and chemicals in alfalfa stick to cholesterol, so that it doesn't stay in the blood so it can't be deposited on blood vessel walls. Even more exciting is that it seems to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) while leaving good cholesterol (HDL) alone.


To lower cholesterol in adults, a typical dose of alfalfa is 5,000 mg to 10,000 mg (5 grams to 10 grams) of dried alfalfa leaves and stems three times a day.


Pregnancy and Lactation Remedies

Excerpted from "The Amazing Alfalfa," by Lisa Goldstein, CPM, CNM; in Birth Wisdom: Tricks of the Trade Vol III (a Midwifery Today book)


Many of pregnancy's discomforts are alleviated by the use of alfalfa tablets, including morning sickness, heartburn, constipation and anemia.


Alfalfa tablets raise the vitamin K level of pregnant women, reducing postpartum bleeding in both quantity and duration, and they increase the vitamin K stores in newborns, reducing bleeding problems for them as well.


They support success in lactation because they help increase and sustain milk supply. They frequently help alleviate nausea, almost always relieve constipation, and they bring up red blood counts in a beneficial way. They also seem to help reduce swelling and improve erratic blood sugar levels.


Because alfalfa tablets are very high in vitamin K, they could be dangerous to take for anyone who needs to be on blood thinners such as Heparin. Their use should be stopped temporarily if one gets a urinary tract infection and cut back, at least temporarily, if one gets diarrhea.


People who have very poor bowel flora may have temporary bouts of gas the first week or so when they start taking them, so they should start at a more gradual pace. I have postpartum moms take a few right after the birth to help with blood loss and bowel movements, then not take any more until the fourth or fifth postpartum day, gradually building back up to about four to eight a day depending on diet and need. They can use oat bran tablets if they need to for bowel function in the meantime. The reason for this course is twofold: the degree to which alfalfa promotes lactation can be too much for comfort until engorgement subsides, and newborn jaundice takes longer to go away if the mom is taking alfalfa tablets.


Plant Constituents of Alfalfa

Contains:


and the essential enzymes:


Action: Alkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Promotes pituitary gland function and contains an anti-fungus agent.


Usage of Alfalfa

Medicinal Part used: Whole herb and leaf


Alfalfa has been used extensively over the years in India, and has been used by the Chinese since the sixth century to:



Alfalfa is commonly used for:


Blood Conditions


Brain and Nervous System Conditions


Cardiovascular Conditions


Female Conditions


Fungal Conditions


Gastrointestinal Conditions


Genitourinary Conditions


Glandular Conditions


Immune System Conditions


Inflammatory Conditions


Liver Conditions


Male Conditions


Respiratory Tract Conditions


Other Conditions


Other Uses

Externally the seeds can be made into a poultice for:



Alfalfa is high in protein

Alfalfa has 18.9% as compared to beef at 16.5%, milk at 3.3% and eggs at 13.1%. (Muscles are composed of protein and the lack of it results in fatigue and weakness.)



ALFALFA Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for:


Insufficient Evidence for:


More evidence is needed to rate alfalfa for these uses.



Alfalfa Side Effects

Alfalfa leaves are POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults. But taking alfalfa seeds long-term is LIKELY UNSAFE. Alfalfa seed products may cause reactions that are similar to the autoimmune disease called lupus erythematosus.


Alfalfa might also cause some people's skin to become extra sensitive to the sun. Wear sunblock outside, especially if you are light-skinned.


Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy or breast-feeding: Using alfalfa in larger than food amounts is POSSIBLY UNSAFE during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There is some evidence that alfalfa may act like estrogen, and this might affect the pregnancy.


“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: 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. If you have an auto-immune condition, it’s best to avoid using alfalfa until more is known.


Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Alfalfa might have the same effects as the female hormone estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use alfalfa.


Diabetes: Alfalfa might lower blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes and take alfalfa, monitor your blood sugar levels closely.


Kidney transplant: There is one report of a kidney transplant rejection following the three-month use of a supplement that contained alfalfa and black cohosh. This outcome is more likely due to alfalfa than black cohosh. There is some evidence that alfalfa can boost the immune system and this might make the anti-rejection drug cyclosporine less effective.


ALFALFA Interactions

Major Interaction – Do not take this combination


Moderate Interaction – Be cautious with this combination



ALFALFA Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:


BY MOUTH:



Reviews

These reviews are taken from a big internet site.


Allergy Relief April 17, 2008, By Roy Brewer From Wisconsin

My allergies and sinus problems have diminished in only two weeks of the use of the alfalfa. Excellent product.



Wonderful November 25, 2007, From New Jersey

A nutritionist told me to take Afalfa Leaf to help reduce my cholesterol. I take this along with Red Yeast Rice and my cholesterol has dropped almost 100 points.



... Alfalfa Leaf ... July 06, 2010, From Canada

This supplement is an all-round good, natural herbal, green food. It prevents negative menopausal effects, helps lower cholesterol levels., etc.,. It also normalizes body weight...it has a solid vitamin-mineral content. Thanks.



Great product September 18, 2010, By atanas8

It really works. Helps purification of body and feel more energetic



Good ... name May 19, 2008, By Donna Caton From Florida

Has helped with my arthritis.



bad for perimenopause symptoms December 26, 2010, From Colorado

I started taking this product and in less than a week I started bloating and retaining water. Breast tenderness returned after having alleviated it with Femaprin. When I looked into the properties of Alfalfa, I learned of it's estrogenic properties. With physical symptoms arising from already being estrogen dominant, this product is probably not helping the situation. I will give it to my husband for his knee issues, and see if it helps him. The dogs can have a few in their raw food too. I'm sure I will find a good use for it.



Mr October 06, 2008, By Clare Hunter From Iowa

I am well pleased with this alfalfa leaf powder.



good skin November 24, 2010, From Bulgaria

good skin



good stuff May 08, 2010, From Florida

I buy this to add to my dog's food so he can have the benefit of the natural minerals in it.



Great supplement January 06, 2010, From Florida

The dogs have stopped eating the broccoli stems out of the compost since adding this to their meals!



seems good December 22, 2008, From Iowa

haven't taken long enough to know if these do anything but they didn't cause any reaction or side effects.



Adds more "green" to my life January 22, 2009, By Mary Correro From California

An easy way to include more anti-oxidants to my diet.



Great! August 10, 2009, From Iowa

Thanks..it's been helping with our allergies