Information on Alfalfa, what does it do, what it is used for and how to grow alfalfa sprouts at home

Alfalfa - Properties, uses, benefits and applications.

What is Alfalfa? What is it good for? Can I grow sprouts at home?

Alfalfa is perennial flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae. It has small, trifoliate and clover like leaves with distinct apex teeth and purple, cream, yellow, or white flowers. It has kidney shaped seeds that grow in slightly hairy pods and is commonly grown for food for both animals and humans, due to it's nutrient density. It's roots grow 30-60cm deep, allowing it to collect it's many trace minerals from deep in the soil. Alfalfa is thought to have been first cultivated by the Persians before being introduced to Ancient Greece in around 490 BCE when the Persians invaded, and later, in the 18th century they became popular with the Native Americans as a food item. Although an ancient Ayurvedic medicinal plant in both China and India, it wasn't popularised in Western medicine until the 19th century, yet it's use in folklore is expected to be earlier than this, with Alfalfa a popular herb used in the home for prosperity, abundance, and financial success, as well as to ward off poverty and hunger.

Alfalfa tolerates a wide range of growing conditions and is drought-resistant too. Choose an area with plenty of full sun. Also look for a well-draining area with a soil pH level between 6.8 and 7.5. Plant alfalfa in spring. Since alfalfa roots quickly, it doesn’t require deep planting—only about a half inch (1 cm.) deep. Sprinkle the seeds evenly onto the soil, spacing rows about 46-61 cm, and cover lightly with soil. Seedlings should begin to grown in 7-10days. Once they are about 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.), thin them as needed to avoid overcrowding. Leaves should be harvested in dry weather. before the plant flowers. Seeds can be collected when the plant is around 1 month old and the pods are brown and dry. Remove the pods with pruning shears and hang the seed pods upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area until they are completely dry.

To grow alfalfa sprouts on paper towel, soak the seeds in a jar overnight and strain through a fine sieve. Soak a few sheets of paper towel in water, wring out until damp and spread on a shallow tray or plate. Spoon the soaked seed evenly on to the paper towel. Cover with another sheet before moving the tray to somewhere dark. Keep the paper towel slightly damp by misting with a water spray when needed. Sprouts should appear after two or three days. Keep in the dark until the sprouts are the desired size – usually around five to seven days. Place on a sunny windowsill to ‘green’ up before harvesting. You can gently pull them away from the paper towel and they should separate. This will leave the roots and seed hulls intact. Cook sprouts thoroughly to reduce the risk of illness and kill harmful bacteria. Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind.

 

Name: Medicago sativa. 

Pseudo and nick-names:  "Alfalfa" is from the Arabic phrase "al-fac-facah" meaning “father of all foods”.  Also known as King of the herbs,  Lucerne, Buffalo grass, and Chilean clover.
Interesting Facts:
  • Rich in trace minerals due to depth of root growth.
  • Works well in tea with peppermint for digestion
  • Alfalfa is thought to have been first cultivated by the Persians
  • Popular food for the ancient Greeks and Romans
  • Ayurvedic medicinal plant

Parts used: Leaves and seeds

Plant descriptive: A perennial flowering plant in the pea family FabaceaeSmall, trifoliate and clover like leaves with distinct apex teeth and  purple, cream, yellow, or white flowers. It has kidney shaped seeds that grow in slightly hairy pods.

Growing: Roots can grow 30-60 feet deep. Likes full sun and well-draining soil with a pH level between 6.8 and 7.5.

Location:  native to southwestern Asia and the Mediterranean regionbut growths worldwide.

Harvesting: Leaves should be harvested in dry weather. before the plant flowers. Seeds can be collected when the plant is around 1 month old and the pods are brown and dry. Remove the pods with pruning shears and hang the seed pods upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area until they are completely dry.

Constituents:  Minerals (including Potassium, Calcium, Manganese and Iron), Vitamins (A, C, E K) Salts, Phytosterols (including canavanine and coumestrol) Enymes (Amylase, Lipase, Protase, Coagilase, Emulsion, Invertase, Peroxidase, Pectinaze and Cellulose)

Energetics and properties: 

  • Alternative
  • Cooling
  • Moistening
  • Nourishing
  • Anticoagulant
  • Bitter
  • Galactagogue
  • Nutritive

Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Physical/Environmental

  • Pituitary
  • Blood purification
  • Arthritis
  • Poor appetite
  • General weakness
  • Mineral deficiencies
  • Digestion
  • Blood thinning
  • Musculoskeletal tonic
  • Potentially slightly estrogenic
  • Bone strength
  • Detoxification
  • Hypertension
  • High cholesterol
  • Soothing mucous membranes
  • Breastfeeding
  • Post-partum pain relief
  • Swollen ankles
  • PMS
  • Perimenopause
  • Asthma
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Bladder
  • Kidneys
  • Prostrate
  • Aching joints and muscles (poultice)
  • Hair and nails
  • Ulcers
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Alkaline effect
  • Supports healthy blood sugar levels
  • Supports the pituitary gland

Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Emotional/Psychological:

  • Hormonally rooted mood changes
  • Harmony
  • Fear
  • Performance anxiety

Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Energetic/Spiritual:

  • Feminine Energy
  • Prosperity
  • Hunger and poverty
  • Money
  • Abundance
  • Earth Element
Typical uses:
  • Fresh Herb: Sprouts added to food daily
  • Powder and capsules: General use 5g once per day, therapeutic use: 1-4g, 2-3 times per day
  • Decoction: (30g herb to 2 litres water, reduced to 500ml) 1 cup, 1-2 times per day
  • Glycerite: Dried leaf (1:6); 2-10ml (0.4-2 tsp) 3 times per day

Cautions and Contraindications:

Health conditions: Not safe for those with Lupus as it can induce  symptoms due to canavanine content.  Alfalfa might increase immune system activity, and this could also worsen other auto immune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you have an auto-immune condition, avoid using alfalfa until more is known. Due to it's phytoestrogen, (coumestrol) content, use only in third trimester of pregnancy. Avoid also, if you are diagnosed with Hormone-sensitive conditions such as female cancers, endometriosis, or fibroids.

Surgery: Alfalfa is blood thinning and could cause excessive bleeding in surgery. Stop using at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Moderate or Severe Medication Interactions: - This list is not exhaustive:

Blood thinning medication, HRT, Hormonal contraception, immunosuppressants, and photosensiting medications all interact with Alfalfa

This medication list is taken from www.hellopharmacist.com and is provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional. It does not reflect all of the possible interactions and instead, intends to give a flavour of the importance of checking with professionals prior to the use of herbal remedies.

If you have a diagnosed health condition or are taking any medications, please speak with a qualified herbalist using the webchat function prior to purchase.

 

*This information refers to the plant type in general and not any specific product made from or with it. It is based on folk lore and historical, traditional use only and does not contain scientifically proven health claims. It is for historic informative and entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as a suggestion that the products can treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. They are not a substitute for professional, medical advice. Always see your doctor.*

(Sources: “The Modern Herbal Dispensary” - Thomas Easley and Steven Horne, “The New Holistic Herbal” - David Hoffman, "Healing Herbs" - Neals Yard Remedies, Indigo Herbs, "Cunningham's Encyclopedia" - Scott Cunningam, The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia" - Susan Gregg, Sungodmedicinals.com, hellopharmacist.com)

 

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