Alfalfa

Alfalfa

“Father (or King) of all Foods (or Herbs)”
Muxu or Zimu (China)
Medicago sativa
Buffalo Herb
Lucern
(Native to Eurasia, Mediterranean, North Africa)

Description


Roots: deep 20’-30’ (some reports of 130’)


Stems: 1’-3’, perennial legume, many-stemed, used for animal hay (2+ cuttings/year)


Leaves: clover- like, trifoliate, slightly toothed margins, alternate


Flowers: clusters, purple (sometimes yellow), ½”, clover-like, on end of stems, April- October,


Fruits: corkscrew, very small

Grows


Soil- grassy slopes and fields, moist, deep soil, a nitrogen fixer (1),


Where- full sun


What to Collect- stalk, leaves, flowers, seeds


When to collect- April-October (anytime it’s green)


Buy-


Planted-


Ease of obtaining- 1 2 3 4 5 (5 being hardest)

Preserve-


Above ground parts, bind at cut, dried in shade, chop, store in jars.

Use


· Short/ Long term use


· Activator Builder Cleanser


Form- Infusion/Tea, Decoction, Tincture, Powder, Poultice, Ointment, Baths, Salad, Sprouts, Stir Fry, Pot Herb, Aromatic, (seeds can be ground and added to bread or eaten as mush)

Nutrients


Vitamins- C, A, D, E, K, Niacin, B1, B8, P, Beta-Carotene,


Minerals- Calcium, Magnesium, Protein, Potassium, Iron, Phosphorus, Sulfur, Chlorine, Sodium, Silicon, Nitrogen, Protein, Fluoride, Copper, Zinc


Others- Fiber, Eight Amino Acids, Chlorophyll (Highest Of Any Plant),

Systems Affected







Digestive





Reproductive



Circulatory



Elimination



Hormonal



Nervous



Muscular



Immune



Endocrine Uses







Acne,


Aids Assimilation of Proteins Fat And Carbs,


Allergies,


Alterative,


Anemia,


Anorexia,


Antipyretic,


Appetite,


Arthritis,


Asthma,


Atherosclerosis,


Athlete’s Foot,


Bleeding Gums,


Blood Clotting,


Blood Purifier,


Body And Breath Odor,


Burns,


Bursitis,


Cancer,


Chemotherapy,


Colds,


Colon,


Constipation,


Cramps,


Cystitis,


Debility,


Diabetes,


Diuretic,


Edema,


Endometriosis,


Epilepsy,


Estrogenic,


Eyes,


Flu,


Gangrene,


Gastritis,


Gout,


Heart Disease,


Helps Assimilate Other Plant Elements,


Hemorrhage During Childbirth,


Hemorrhoids,


High Blood Pressure,


Hot Flashes,


Hypertension,


Hypoglycemia,


Immune Stimulant,


Infections,


Infertility,


Inflammations,


Intestinal Scrub,


Kidney Stones,


Kidneys,


Laxative,


Liver Disorders,


Lower Cholesterol,


Menopause,


Milk Production,


Morning Sickness,


Nausea,


Nosebleeds,


Osteoporosis,


Over All Alkalizer


Detoxifier,


Overall Tonic,


Pituitary Gland,


Rheumatism,


Stimulant,


Tooth Decay,


Ulcers,


UTI,


Weak Digestion,


Whooping Cough,









In the Garden: Nitrogen Fixer, Cover Crop, Animal Feed, Compost pile









Cautions


Bad for Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, et al.


Potential reaction to Warfin (Coumadin).


Don’t eat unsprouted seeds.


Use with caution if pregnant, hay fever, PMS,





Notes:









Alfalfa is truly the King of Herbs. It is so high in vitamins and minerals, plus amino acids and chlorophyll that I am tempted to make a blanket statement that everyone should be taking this! The average American is highly deficient in leafy green vegetables. Taking an alfalfa supplement will go a long way to making up this deficiency.





I prefer it in capsule form since you get the fiber that way, which you don’t get if you use tincture or tea.





If you have ever taken “chlorophyll” supplements, you were actually taking tincture of alfalfa, possibly with peppermint added for flavor. Alfalfa has more chlorophyll than any other plant.





The above cautions include pregnancy. This is due to the mildly diuretic effect of alfalfa. Since most American women are already dehydrated and baby isn’t getting enough water, this can be a real concern. However, if you are VERY careful to get plenty of water, alfalfa can reduce nausea and reduce the chance of hemorrhage in birth. It also helps to build Mamma’s milk-making ability.





Because Alfalfa stimulates the immune system, any condition related to an over-active immune system (i.e. Lupus) will be worsened with this herb. However, nearly any other condition will be bettered. The human body simply functions better when it has all the nutrients it needs! Alfalfa can go a long way towards insuring that condition.

References


I+He+Mp,


Wise Woman Herbal,


Encyclopedia Nuts and Berries,


The Green Pharmacy,


Gong To Seed,


Herb Bible,


Prescription For Herbal Healing,


Indian Herbology Of North America,


Growing 101 Herbs that Heal