Alfalfa - Not just food for horses - also nutritious and medicinal!

I have to include Alfalfa in my listing of herbs for one primary reason - it’s one of my mother’s favorites! She absolutely LOVES alfalfa sprouts in her salads and on her sandwiches. I can’t remember my mom ever eating a salad without alfalfa sprouts. She’s so funny, sometimes she just forgoes the whole salad and just eats a bowl of alfalfa sprouts! So, in honor of my mother - Alfalfa!

BACKGROUND / DESCRIPTION

Alfalfa is a plant of the pea family grown primarily for forage, especially as hay. It is one of the most useful and widely grown hay crops in the world. In the United States, more land is used for alfalfa production than for any other hay crop. Alfalfa is a well known fodder plant that yields well even on poor land. Alfalfa can be harvested multiple times in one season for hay or silage. If you’re using it for fowl, they prefer 3rd or later cuttings best. Sending its roots down 20 feet, it aerates and enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen. An early "super crop," it transformed agriculture by providing an abundant and nutritious feed for livestock. Alfalfa is believed to have originated from Asia, migrating to Greece from China in 5 BC.

First discovered by the Arabs, who dubbed alfalfa as the "father of all foods." According to an early Oriental herbarium, alfalfa tops the list of 896 plants cited, and originated in Persia. Alfalfa didn't reach North America until around 1850 or 1860. Native Americans adapted alfalfa quickly for human use, as well as for animals. In England and South Africa it is called Buffalo herb. Called Mu-su, this is one of the plants said to have been brought to China by General Chang Chien of the Han dynasty. The mu-su is included among the vegetables, and was formerly extensively cultivated; and in some parts of China, is still grown. It is found growing almost of its own accord. The first documented use of this herb by the Chinese dates back to the 6th century. Chinese healers use alfalfa to treat kidney stones and to relieve fluid retention and swelling.

Alfalfa has also been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. People have used alfalfa to treat various diseases and conditions as well as a source of vitamins (vitamin A, C, E, and K) and minerals (calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron). The whole plant can be used, and an infusion of leaves with mint is an excellent nutritious tea, rich in easily assimilated vitamins, minerals and trace elements, including protein, calcium and iron. Young leaves and sprouts are added to sandwiches and salads. Useful as a stimulating, tonic herb, it is contraindicated in autoimmune conditions.

There is not enough research evidence to prove that alfalfa treats kidney, bladder, and prostate conditions. Animal studies show that alfalfa helps with atherosclerosis (which can lead to heart disease) by reducing the hardening of the arteries. Animal studies also show that alfalfa decreases cholesterol and blood sugar levels. There haven’t been a lot of scientific studies to prove these uses for humans, but they seem rational to me and other herbalists. In reference to the cholesterol lowering, Alfalfa seems to prevent cholesterol absorption in the gut.

More reliable evidence is needed to show that alfalfa is helpful for other uses, including stimulating appetite, helping with digestive problems, asthma, and arthritis.

Of course for those that might have animals (myself included!), it is helpful to understand the healthful benefit to animals as well as humans. Some people worry that you can’t feed a horse (or other farm animal) straight alfalfa. The difference lies in what nutrients alfalfa provides, and what the horse actually needs. Alfalfa contains more energy, protein and calcium than most grass hays, such as timothy, brome grass, and orchard grass. This nutrient profile makes it most suitable for young, growing horses and lactating mares, because they have high protein and mineral requirements. By comparison, alfalfa exceeds the protein requirements of idle horses and performance horses. That does not mean these horses cannot receive straight alfalfa. It just means alfalfa provides more protein than these classes of horses need. Alfalfa also tastes good, so it's useful when you've got a finicky eater or a horse with a poor appetite. While alfalfa is more nutrient-rich than most other forages, it is not any richer than many other feeds commonly used for horses. For example, good quality pasture is often higher in calories and protein than alfalfa hay. Leafy, rapidly growing spring pasture grass may contain 20 to 26% protein. By comparison, mid-maturity alfalfa hay will contain 16 to 18% protein. As to birds, I can attest to the fact that my chickens, turkeys and guineas absolutely LOVE alfalfa!

COMMON USES

Obviously, the most common use I would suggest would be in salads and on sandwiches - can’t help it as I grew up seeing that. It is quite enjoyable like that too, adds a distinctive flavor (and texture) as well as being nutrition. The thing with alfalfa is to remember not to overdue - a bit here and there, every now and then - but not something for people to eat or use on a continuous daily basis as it just has too many warnings for that. However, my mom has consumed it quite regularly for over 75 years - and she is healthy as a horse - hey, maybe it’s the alfalfa??? - that or the wheat germ - that’s her second most favorite add-on. Seems like mom has always had alfalfa in her fridge, and wheat germ in the cabinets!

Alfalfa tea is commonly used as a beverage; it is also used medicinally. Nutritious fresh or dried leaf tea traditionally used to promote appetite, weight gain, diuretic, stops bleeding. For an infusion: mix 1 tbsp. dried herb with 8 oz. of warm water. Drink 1 cup of this home brewed tea daily.

People have used alfalfa for: kidney and bladder problems; prostate problems; diabetes and reducing blood sugar levels; atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries); lowering cholesterol in the blood; stimulating the appetite; helping with digestive problems; asthma; and arthritis.

For high cholesterol: a typical dose is 5-10 grams of the herb, or as a steeped strained tea, three times a day. 5-10 mL of a liquid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol) three times a day has also been used.

A source of commercial chlorophyll and carotene, both with valid health claims. Contains the anti-oxidant tricin.

For relief of rheumatoid arthritis, take 9 to 18 alfalfa tablets daily.

Experimentally, antifungal, and setrogenic. Unsubstantiated claims include use for cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, arthritis, etc.

High in chlorophyll and nutrients. Alkalies the body and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Good for all colon disorders, anemia, hemorrhaging, indigestion, vitamin or mineral deficiency, laxative, cystitis, blood purifier, gas, edema, diabetes, ulcers, and arthritis. Promotes pituitary gland function.

Medicinal properties - Alterative, antipyretic, diuretic, appetite stimulant, hemostatic. Contains organic minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium and almost all known vitamins, as well as very high in chlorophyll. Contains an antifungus agent.

oh yeah - it’s used for animal feed too...... :)

CULTIVATION / GROWING

Alfalfa is a perennial forage legume which normally lives 4–8 years, but can live more than twenty years, depending on variety and climate It prefers light, well-drained to dry soil and full sun, and can be directly sown into the field or garden, or sown into a container using a low-fertilizer, loam-based potting mix; water regularly and leave in full sun. Does not tolerate competition from weeds or other crops.

Alfalfa grows from two to three feet high, depending on soil conditions and water supply. Long taproots draw moisture and nourishment from deep in the subsoil, and enable the plant to grow in dry areas.

A thickened, woody, stemlike structure, the crown, develops at or near the surface of the ground. Some 15 to 50 leafy shoots grow from the crown. The leaves are small, with distinct marginal teeth at the apex. The flowers are predominantly purple, but lavender, cream, yellow, white, and green flowers also occur. The seed pods are twisted and slightly downy, and the seeds are kidney-shaped.

Alfalfa is a small seeded crop, and has a slowly-growing seedling, but after several months of establishment, forms a tough 'crown' at the top of the root system. This crown contains many shoot buds that enables alfalfa to re-grow many times after being grazed or harvested.

It is difficult for alfalfa seed to grow in existing stands of alfalfa. Therefore, it is recommended that alfalfa fields be rotated with other species (for example, corn or wheat) before reseeding.

MAGICAL / MYTHICAL USES

Traditionally, Alfalfa is used in herbal magic for "luck" and "money drawing" and to insure against poverty. This herb "plays well" with other herbs such as Basil, Patchouli and Goldenseal. Together, these luck and money herbs enhance chances for success in money matters while adding a bit of protective insurance. To protect yourself from poverty, mix Alfalfa with Money Drawing Incense and burn it in your home. Brew into a tea and sprinkle under furniture to draw money into the home.

WARNINGS & endings....

Common side effects from alfalfa include: lupus-like effects (e.g., muscle pain, fatigue, skin rashes, fever, chest pain with deep breaths), mild stomach discomfort, diarrhea, gas, and skin redness or swelling. Rarely, alfalfa may cause a reduction in the number of blood cells and it may lower potassium levels.

Alfalfa can interact with some medications. It may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. If you are taking alfalfa along with birth control pills, use an extra method of birth control, such as a condom. Alfalfa can also interact with warfarin and other blood thinners, estrogen pills including hormone replacement therapy, medications that suppress the immune system (e.g., cyclosporine, corticosteroids), cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin), and vitamin E.

Alfalfa makes you more sensitive to sunlight, so you should avoid taking it while taking other medications that also make you sensitive to sunlight (e.g., amitryptyline, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline). In addition, cover up (wear sun block, long sleeves, and a hat) if you are taking alfalfa and are in the sun.

You should avoid alfalfa if you are allergic to plants of the Fabaceae or Leguminosae families. People with grass allergies should also take caution.

You should also avoid alfalfa if you have a condition that is sensitive to hormones (e.g., breast cancer, endometriosis), if you have an autoimmune disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), or if you had a kidney transplant.

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use alfalfa. Consult your health care professional if you have any questions.

Alfalfa might interfere with the way the body takes in and uses vitamin E.

Wow - I think that’s definitely one of the longer lists of warnings for herbs. All done now! :)

Herbal link page

Ah yes... and the legal disclaimer - don’t you hate these things? —> The information contained in this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. <– ok, that’s done, hope you find this article useful!!

Gail Ann(573) 470-5806spiritguidedhealer@gmail.com

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