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Alfalfa Medicago sativa L.

Benefits | Preparation | Medicinal Uses | Alfalfa Remedies | Side Effects | Plant | Folklore
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Common Names
Alfalfa ,
Botanical Name
Medicago sativa L.
Family
FABACEAE or LEGUMINOSAE Pea Family
Alfalfa Medicinal Properties & Benefits
Common Uses: Candida/Yeast Infection * Cholesterol Control * Culinary * Diabetes * General Health Tonics * Menopause/Perimenopause * Osteoporosis * Pet care *
Properties: phytoestrogen* Hypoglycemic* Antioxidant* Anti-inflammatory* Diuretic* Antirheumatic* Emmenagogue* Depurative* Galactagogue* Breath*
Parts Used: dried leaves, stems, unopened flowers, sprouts
Constituents:beta-carotene and vitamins c, e, and k


Lower your cholesterol with
Heart Healthy alfalfa

Alfalfa leaf contains a broad spectrum of nutrients, including considerable quantities of protein, trace mineral and vitamins, dietary fiber and chlorophyll, which serves as an antioxidant in the bloodstream. Alfalfa sprouts are a staple of salads and contain nutrients, but the leaves hold the best healing potential and contain phytoestrogens that could be beneficial in menopausal and breast feeding women. Chemicals in alfalfa called saponins can help lower blood cholesterol (by impeding intestinal absorption) without affecting heart-healthy HDL cholesterol.

Traditional Chinese Medicine
tradional chinese medicine Alfalfa known as Mu-Su in Chinse medicine, made its way to China during the late Han Dynasty(around 2000 A.D.) from Persia. One of its most common uses in Chinese medicine is in the treatment of ulcers. It is also used to strengthen digestion and stimulate appetite. Gaea and Shandor Weiss, Growing and Using the Healing Herbs(1985)
Side Effects:
If you have lupus or are in remission, you shouldn't consume alfalfa seeds. Use alfalfa only during its prebloom stages of growth. Alfalfa seeds should never be eaten unless sprouted because they contain high levels of the toxic amino acid canavanine.
How to Use: Alfalfa
Preparation Methods : Alfalfa is not recommended as primary treatment for any condition. Instead, it should be taken in capsules, teas or eaten as fresh raw sprouts that have been rinsed thoroughly to remove mold.

remedyRemedies using : Alfalfa Alfalfa leaf tea* Dandelion daily tonic* Hepatonic Tea*


Buy Bulk Alfalfa Herbs, Extracts, Capsules and Oils
Certified Organic Alfalfa Leaf
Medicago sativa Origin- USA Biodynamic Certified
PRODUCT DETAILS

Certified Organic Vita-Blend Tea
Delicious healthy blend to help support general well-being.
PRODUCT DETAILS

Contains: Organic Alfalfa leaf, organic Nettle leaf, organic Peppermint, organic Oatstraw, organic Lemongrass, organic Red Clover, organic Hibiscus flowers and organic Horsetail.

referencesAlfalfa Medicinal Uses & Benefits
Alfalfa for :Cholesterol
Cholesterol The leaf from this grain decreases cholesterol levels and shrinks plaques that are already present. Alfalfa also slows the progress of atherosclerosis by keeping cholesterol from entering the body from food. The alfalfa saponins, which are soaplike compounds, form an insoluble foam with cholesterol inside the intestine.

Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Alfalfa for :Estrogen balance
Estrogen balance Alfalfa contains plant world equivalents of human estrogen, so a woman, whether she is going through menopause or breastfeeding a baby, may derive some benefit from it.

James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Alfalfa for :Endometriosis
Endometriosis Doctors often prescribe synthetic estrogen, usually in the form of birth control pills, for the treatment of endometriosis. Naturopaths have favored herbs and foods with phytoestrogens, natural plant hormones that are related to estrogen but are less potent than the body's own estrogens. Alfalfa sprouts contain phytoestrogens that also block the body's estrogen receptor sites, thereby reducing the effect of a woman's own hormones.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Cancer
Cancer Alfalfa has important uses in counteracting the effects of cancer chemotherapy. Alfalfa extracts may increase the production of these white cells by as much as 60 percent. Studies in animals have found that alfalfa completely reverses immune depression caused by treatment with the cancer chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar). Although alfalfa suppresses the action of macrophages (see above), it does not inhibit the activity of any of the immune cells the body needs during the first stages of infection.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Diabetes
Diabetes The condition of people with diabetes who fail to respond to insulin greatly improves when they take alfalfa plus manganese.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Menopause-related cancers.
Menopause-related cancers. Alfalfa has demonstrable estrogenic activity, too. In addition to acting like estrogen in women whose own sex hormone production has declined, phytoestrogens also appear to reduce the risk of estrogen-linked cancers such as breast cancer.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :bone loss
bone loss Clinical studies in Japan have found that vitamin K, found in alfalfa and in green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, can partially prevent bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency. The vitamin interacts with vitamin D to increase the formation of new bone. The combination is not sufficient, however, to completely compensate for osteoporosis caused by estrogen-depleting medications

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Stomach ulcers
Stomach ulcers Herbalists have long used alfalfa to treat ulcers, with good results. The bioflavonoids found in alfalfa build capillary strength and reduce inflammation of the stomach lining, while alfalfa's vitamin A helps to maintain the stomach's health. The herb's enzymes aid in food assimilation

Phyllis A. Balch. . (),

Alfalfa, dandelion, yucca for :Animal care - arthritis, cardiovascular
Animal care - arthritis, cardiovascular Alfalfa has great value as daily food supplement for long-term relief of the pain of arthritis and cardiovascular health of animals and humans. For use in therapeutic doses, it acts well when combined with dandelion, yucca and licorice.

Gregory L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (2001)

Alfalfa for :Cholesterol
Cholesterol The leaf from this grain decreases cholesterol levels and shrinks plaques that are already present. Alfalfa also slows the progress of atherosclerosis by keeping cholesterol from entering the body from food. The alfalfa saponins, which are soaplike compounds, form an insoluble foam with cholesterol inside the intestine.

Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Alfalfa for :Estrogen balance
Estrogen balance Alfalfa contains plant world equivalents of human estrogen, so a woman, whether she is going through menopause or breastfeeding a baby, may derive some benefit from it.

James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Alfalfa for :Endometriosis
Endometriosis Doctors often prescribe synthetic estrogen, usually in the form of birth control pills, for the treatment of endometriosis. Naturopaths have favored herbs and foods with phytoestrogens, natural plant hormones that are related to estrogen but are less potent than the body's own estrogens. Alfalfa sprouts contain phytoestrogens that also block the body's estrogen receptor sites, thereby reducing the effect of a woman's own hormones.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Cancer
Cancer Alfalfa has important uses in counteracting the effects of cancer chemotherapy. Alfalfa extracts may increase the production of these white cells by as much as 60 percent. Studies in animals have found that alfalfa completely reverses immune depression caused by treatment with the cancer chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar). Although alfalfa suppresses the action of macrophages (see above), it does not inhibit the activity of any of the immune cells the body needs during the first stages of infection.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Diabetes
Diabetes The condition of people with diabetes who fail to respond to insulin greatly improves when they take alfalfa plus manganese.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Menopause-related cancers.
Menopause-related cancers. Alfalfa has demonstrable estrogenic activity, too. In addition to acting like estrogen in women whose own sex hormone production has declined, phytoestrogens also appear to reduce the risk of estrogen-linked cancers such as breast cancer.

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :bone loss
bone loss Clinical studies in Japan have found that vitamin K, found in alfalfa and in green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, can partially prevent bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency. The vitamin interacts with vitamin D to increase the formation of new bone. The combination is not sufficient, however, to completely compensate for osteoporosis caused by estrogen-depleting medications

Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Alfalfa for :Stomach ulcers
Stomach ulcers Herbalists have long used alfalfa to treat ulcers, with good results. The bioflavonoids found in alfalfa build capillary strength and reduce inflammation of the stomach lining, while alfalfa's vitamin A helps to maintain the stomach's health. The herb's enzymes aid in food assimilation

Phyllis A. Balch. . (),

Alfalfa, dandelion, yucca for :Animal care - arthritis, cardiovascular
Animal care - arthritis, cardiovascular Alfalfa has great value as daily food supplement for long-term relief of the pain of arthritis and cardiovascular health of animals and humans. For use in therapeutic doses, it acts well when combined with dandelion, yucca and licorice.

Gregory L. Tilford, Herbs for Pets (2001)

Plant Description

Atlas des plantes de France. 1891
Atlas des plantes de France. 1891

  • Flowers:Small blue-violet, white or pink
  • Stem:height of three feet
  • Leaves:Clover-like, three-lobed green leaves
  • Fruit: White seed bearing pods
  • Preferred Habitat:It is not picky as to soil, but it does prefer full sun and regular watering. The aerial (aboveground) parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine.
  • This widely cultivated plant is highly nutritive for both humans and animals. The deep root system absorbs minerals from the soil resulting in a plant rich in vitamins and minerals and a great source of fiber and protein. Alfalfa leaf is rich in protein and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Alfalfa extract is a good source of chlorophyll and carotene. It is important to insist on certified organic alfalfa, since the plant concentrates cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc when it is grown in contaminated soils. The leaves contain eight essential amino acids.

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