Benefits of the Herb Alfalfa Leaf

The Constipation Cure

Eliminate bloating and water retention with Alfalfa Leaf – the “Father of all Foods.” This excellent source of nutrients will help boost a sluggish appetite, relieve constipation, and the swelling that often accompanies rheumatism and arthritis.

It is most helpful in treating kidney and urinary tract infections and will help detoxify the body, especially the liver.

History

First discovered in Persia around 500 B.C., Alfalfa reached Mediterranean Europe by way of the Greeks, who planted it as early as 490 B.C.  Since the Medes of ancient Persia are believed to have been the first to cultivate the plant, it was given its botanical name, Medicago sativa, which is translated from Latin, meaning, “sowed by the Medians.”

Alfalfa was being cultivated in England by the sixteenth century.  It was used to soothe and strengthen the body and arrived in the American Colonies by 1736, where it was used mainly to treat an upset stomach.

Native Americans employed ground Alfalfa seeds to thicken and enrich their diets and ate the leaves as tasty greens. The Eclectics, physicians who used herbal therapies in nineteenth-century America, used Alfalfa as a tonic for indigestion, dyspepsia, and anemia, loss of appetite, and poor assimilation of nutrients.

These physicians also recommended the alfalfa plant to stimulate lactation in nursing mothers, and the seeds were made into a poultice for the treatment of boils and insect bites. Alfalfa is a perennial plant that can be cultivated almost anywhere, even in dry regions, and thrives as a crop in light, well-drained-to-dry, neutral-to-alkaline soil in sun.

Bushy Alfalfa may reach about three feet in height with roots that may grow to 130 feet into the soil, allowing exceptional access to a lot of nutrients:

• rutin
• silicon
• zinc
• calcium
• copper
• choline
• foliate iron
• magnesium
• manganese
• potassium
• phosphorus
• saponins
• alpha-carotene
• beta-carotene (useful against both heart disease)
• B-vitamins
• vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Alfalfa leaves contain eight essential amino acids and are a good source of chlorophyll, and they also contain flavones, isoflavones, sterols, and coumarin derivatives.

Medical Uses of Alfalfa Leaf

Laxative and Natural Diuretic

Alfalfa is a good laxative and natural diuretic that promotes urine flow and is often used to treat urinary tract infections and eliminate excess retained water.

Replaces Vitamin K

It is especially useful for replacing vitamin K that is depleted during treatment with a wide variety of drugs, including antibiotics.

Blood Purifier

Alfalfa acts as a blood purifier and has helped many arthritis sufferers. The action as a detoxifier and blood purifier has been found to be beneficial for a variety of illnesses, including liver disorders, breath odor, and infections, disorders of the bones and joints, and skin ailments.

Alkalizing Effect

Alfalfa has an alkalizing effect on the body. It is a great source of mineral supplements that are all alkaline, which has a neutralizing effect on the intestinal tract, thereby easing digestive problems, such as the upset stomach, gastritis, and indigestion.

Contains High Calcium and magnesium

Alfalfa contains a high calcium and magnesium content, and studies have shown that migraines may be prevented and/or reduced when these two minerals are combined. All the minerals are in a balanced form, which also promotes absorption.

Treats Ulcers

Herbalists have long used Alfalfa Leaf to treat ulcers, as the bioflavonoids found in Alfalfa reduce inflammation of the stomach lining and build capillary strength, while Alfalfa’s vitamin A helps to maintain the stomach’s overall health.

The herb’s enzymes aid in food assimilation. During the Han Dynasty (200 A.D.), Alfalfa was used to treat ulcers and continues in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to strengthen the digestive tract and stimulate the appetite.

Lower Cholesterol

Alfalfa is said to lower cholesterol and prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques (by blocking cholesterol’s absorption into the body from the intestines), balance blood sugar (especially when taken with manganese) and promote pituitary gland function.

Immune-System Stimulant

Alfalfa is an immune-system stimulant that promotes normal blood clotting and the vitamin K content helps treat bleeding gums and nosebleeds but does not interfere with normal circulation. The bioflavonoids found in Alfalfa are believed to build capillary strength.

Helps Estrogen Deficiency

Alfalfa contains phytoestrogens, and the herb has had some estrogenic activity in women whose own sex hormone production has declined; thus, Alfalfa has helped many women with the discomforts of menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes.

The phytoestrogens appear to reduce the risk of estrogen-linked disease, including serious breast problems). The Vitamin K2 found in Alfalfa may also partially prevent bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency.

Precautions

Alfalfa should not be taken by those who have autoimmune problems (lupus, etc.), nor should it be taken by pregnant women. Ingestion of very large amounts (the equivalent of several servings) of the seed and/or sprouts or supplements has been linked to the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the autoimmune illness characterized by inflamed joints and risk of damage to kidneys and other organs.

The chemical responsible for this effect is believed to be canavanine. Those taking prescription anticoagulants such as Coumadin, etc., should avoid this herb.