AKA: Medicago Sativa, Lucerne, Purple Medick, Trefoil

Alfalfa is a plant that belongs to the legume family, with beans and peas being some of the plants closest relatives.  Alfalfa is a perennial that can live up to twelve years and grow up to three feet tall. It has clusters of small purple flowers closely resembling the clover.

Alfalfa is extremely resilient, surviving droughts and utilizing the bacteria, Sinorhizobium meliloti, in its root modules to fix bacteria allowing it to produce high yields in nitrogen poor soil. Alfalfa is one of the few plants that exhibits autotoxicity, making it hard for new alfalfa seed to sprout in existing stands of the plant.

It is primarily used as a pasture, hay, or silage crop, cut and dehydrated to make protein rich pellets for livestock; however, fresh alfalfa flowers, leaves, and sprouts are also eaten by people. 

Alfalfa is a rich source of Vitamins A, B Complex, C, D, E, K, biotin, carotenes, calcium, phosphorus, choline, inositol, PABA, octacosonal, trace minerals including iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorophyll, and many other nutrients.

Benefits and uses

• Cholesterol control
• Food supplement
• Promotes regularity
• Stimulates appetite
• Treating Ulcers
• Urinary Tract infections
• An immune-system stimulant
• Promotes normal blood clotting
• Aids in the assimilation of protein, fats, and carbohydrates
• Excellent blood purifier
• Prevents Atherosclerosis
• Menopause-related Problems—Hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms are rare among women who consume legumes with estrogenic activity, and alfalfa has demonstrable estrogenic activity

The plant is rich in amino acids and the Vitamins A, B, C and K. It is also a natural source of calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus. On top of that, alfalfa is also rich in dietary fiber and may protect you from colon cancer and lower your blood cholesterol. Alfalfa is said to have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and nutritive properties. It is also said to be a galactogogue, helping to increase milk production in nursing mothers.  This high yield crop is also said to help promote digestion, stimulate appetite and reduce constipation.

It is an excellent tonic for the whole body, and it may help build iron levels in blood.  It contains natural fluoride that may help rebuild tooth decay and strengthen tooth enamel.

How to use it

Alfalfa should be taken in capsules or eaten as fresh, raw sprouts that have been rinsed thoroughly to remove mould. Alfalfa seeds should never be eaten unless they have sprouted as they contain high levels of the toxic amino acid canavanine.

Side effects

Alfalfa may lower potassium levels in the blood and may cause stomach pain, excessive gas, frequent bowel movements, and diarrhea. Eating Large amounts of Alfalfa sees has also been documented as bringing about the conditions of pancytopenia (decreased production of red and white blood cells) and systemic lupus erythematosus  (an autoimmune disorder in some people.

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