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Name
ALFALFA
Botanical Name.
Medicago
Sativa
Other
Names
Lucerne, Purple Medic, Buffalo Grass, Chilean Clover
Parts Used
Sprouts, leaves, flowers
Description
Alfalfa is a perennial erect plant with leaves divided into three long-toothed leaflets.Alfalfa is from the Legume (Leguminosae) family.
Constituents.
Amino Acids
Alanine,
,Arginine, ,Asparagine, Canavanine, Cystine, Threonine, Tryptophan,
Tyrosine
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll possesses Antioxidant properties.
Chlorophyll rejuvenates old Red Blood Cells and promotes new Blood Cell growth
Alkaloids (stachydrine),
Phytoestrogens
Minerals:
Calcium,
Copper, Phosphorus, Manganese, Iron, Zinc, Fluorine, Potassium, Sodium,
Chlorine, Silicon, Magnesium, Sulfur
Vitamins:
Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Choline, Vitamin A,
PABA, Inositol, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Biotin, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6,
Vitamin B12, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Folic Acid, Vitamin K
Other:
Digestive Enzymes, Lignans:
Coumestrol, Lipids:
Octacosanol,
Triacontanol
Terpenes: Saponins,
Phytosterols:
Alpha-Spinasterol, Beta-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol,
Phenolic Acids: Ferulic
Acid, Polyphenols:
Coumarins :Isoflavonoids: Formometin
Genistein electrolytes, isoflavones,
betaine,antioxidant (tricin).
Dosage Recommendations
The usual therapeutic dosage of dried Alfalfa leaf is 500 - 1,000 mg per
day.
The usual therapeutic dosage of Alfalfa tincture is 3 - 6 ml per day.
Internal
Applications.
Tea, Capsules, Tincture
Medicinal
Actions
Anti-inflammatory, Alkalinizer, Diuretic, Galactagogue,
Nutritive, Stomach Tonic, Phytoestrogenic, Tonic.
Used in the following internal
illnesses
Anemia, Arteriosclerosis, Arthritis, Cancer, Celiac Disease, Colitis, Convalescence, Edema, Fatigue, Halitosis, High Cholesterol, Hyperestrogenism, Hypoestrogenism, Jaundice, Menopause, Menstrual Problems, Obesity, Ulcers, Varicose Veins
Health Benefits of
Alfalfa
Cardiovascular System
Alfalfa reputedly alleviates Anemia (according to folklore).
Alfalfa (juice) reputedly alleviates disorders of the Blood Vessels
(according to folklore).
Digestive System
Alfalfa reputedly alleviates disorders of the Colon (according
to folklore).
Alfalfa reputedly facilitates the elimination of Detrimental
Fungi (according to folklore).
Alfalfa reputedly alleviates Peptic Ulcers (according to
folklore).
Alfalfa facilitates the digestion of dietary Proteins (according
to folklore).
Metabolism
Alfalfa inhibits the absorption of dietary Cholesterol and
retards the body's production of endogenous Cholesterol (due to Saponins
in Alfalfa).
Alfalfa (leaf) helps to prevent some cases of Diabetes
Mellitus and lowers elevated Blood Sugar levels in Diabetes Mellitus
patients.
Alfalfa reputedly detoxifies the Liver (according to many herbalists).
Musculoskeletal System
Alfalfa (juice) has an alkaline effect that counteracts the
acidity associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (according to folklore).
Alfalfa reputedly alleviates Brittle Hair (according to
folklore).
Alfalfa (juice) reputedly regenerates the Skin (according to
folklore).
Nervous System
Alfalfa is reputedly beneficial for the Pituitary Gland
(according to folklore).
Alfalfa (juice) reputedly alleviates Sinusitis
(according to folklore).
Applications.
Use as a bath herb, facial steam, hair rinse. Also, use as a poultice on wounds. The root can be peeled, dried and frayed (by hitting with a hammer) to be used as a toothbrush.
Energetics.
Salty, Neutral, Moist
Contra
indications and side effect
The herb is considered very safe, however there has been some concern about the safety of eating large amounts of the sprouts which contain the alkaloid, conavanine. Those with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis should avoid eating Alfalfa sprouts; however the leaves and flowers are perfectly safe for everyone.
People using Warfarin should not use Alfalfa (due to the high Vitamin K
content of Alfalfa which could interfere with the intended anticoagulant
effects of Warfarin
Alfalfa increases the risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) - due
to the Canavanine content of Alfalfa
Women should not consume excessive quantities of Alfalfa during
Pregnancy (due to the ability of the Stachydrine content of Alfalfa to
stimulate the Uterus).
Astrology
This humble plant which is cultivated to feed
animals falls under the sign Capricorn.
Chakras,
The effects of Alfalfa are felt throughout the
major 7 chakras with emphasis on the second chakra.
Doctrine
of signatures
The roots plough deeply into the earth bringing up the minerals
and vitamins that nourish the earthly source of our being the
reproductive organs.The first herbalists must have wondered as animals
gravitated toward this nourishing herb.
Mythology
Of Arabic derivation, Al-Fac-Facah and means
'father of all foods'. This plant is thought to have originated in Medea
in North Africa hence the genus name Medicago. The species name, sativa,
means 'with a long history of cultivation'.
Where Alfalfa grows wild, it is an indicator of rich soil. It is planted
by farmers and turned under to fix nitrogen and enrich the soil. When
cows consume it, it increases their milk production. Alfalfa is an
excellent nutritive food for people convalescing. It is a commercial
source of chlorophyll
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