Alfalfa / Lucerne dried herb leaf

Alfalfa dried herb leaf

Other mames: lucerne, bastard medic, blue alfalfa, glandular alfalfa, sand lucerne, sickle alfalfa, sickle medic, sickle medick, variegated alfalfa, variegated lucerne, violet-flower lucerne, yellow alfalfa, yellow lucerne, yellow-flower alfalfa, ye mu xu, za jiao mu xu, or zi mu xu (Chinese), alfalfa amarilla, alfalfa de las arenas, alfalfa híbrida, alfalfa sueca, mielga (Spanish)

Medicago sativa L.
Plant Family: Fabaceae

Herbalists often recommend alfalfa preparations as a potent nutritive in cases of malnutrition, debility, and prolonged illness.

Alfalfa contains substances such as isoflavones and coumestans, which bind to estrogen receptors in the body.

Alfalfa is high in vitamins A and C, niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, and the minerals calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Alfalfa also contains bioflavonoids.

Both alfalfa sprouts and leaf preparations help lower blood cholesterol levels.

The saponins in alfalfa bind to cholesterol and prevent its absorption.
Alfalfa also has been studied for its ability to reduce atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup, on the insides of artery walls.

Alfalfa Precautions and Warnings

Excessive consumption of alfalfa may cause the breakdown of red blood cells. Canavanine, a constituent in alfalfa, may aggravate the disease lupus. Canavanine produces a lupuslike disorder in monkeys who were fed diets high in alfalfa. Canavanine is an unusual amino acid found in the seeds and sprouts but not in the mature leaves. Thus, alfalfa tea and capsules made from leaves would not be expected to contain canavanine.
Avoid alfalfa during pregnancy because of its canavanine content and hormonally active saponins. If you are pregnant, you may put a few sprouts on a sandwich now and then, but avoid daily consumption of alfalfa or its supplements.

To makle a herbal ‘Tea’ Infusion

Use 1 heaped TEAspoon per cup required.

Place in pot

Add boiling water

Allow to infuse for 4-6 minutes

Strain into a cup and enjoy.

A sweetener may be added if required.