Alfalfa, Chilean Clover, Buffalo Grass,
Father of All Foods (Al-fal-fa), Buffalo herb, lucerne, purple medic.
Parts Used
Leaves
Active Compounds
Upto 50% protein, has good quantity of beta carotene, chlorophyll
and octacosanol. Other ingredients are: saponins, sterols, flavonoids,
coumarins, alkaloids, acids, vitamins (A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, E,
K, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid), amino acids, sugars,
minerals (Ca, K, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu), trace elements and other nutrients.
History
Chinese used it stimulate appetite and treat digestive problems,
particularly ulcers Ancient Indian Ayurvedic physicians used Alfalfa
to treat ulcers, arthritis pains and fluid retention Early Americans
used alfalfa to treat arthritis, boils, cancer, scurvy, and urinary
and bowel problems. Pioneer women used it to aid menstruation.
Remedies
For
Alterative, diuretic, antipyretic, hemostatic
May reduce cholesterol
Help prevent Heart disease
Help prevent some strokes
Studies done at University of California at Davis found that alfalfa
extracts with a lot of manganese definitely improved the condition
of a diabetic who failed to respond to insulin.
Clinical nutritionists have clearly demonstrated that alfalfa meal
helped monkeys, who was fed food rich in cholesterol, from getting
atherosclerosis. It was also found to reduce the serum cholesterol
levels.
Alfalfa had been used traditionally for treating infections resulting
from surgical incisions, bed sores and inner ear problems.
Description
Alfalfa is a perennial herb found on the edges of fields. It is
widely cultivated by farmers for livestock feed. It grows to a height
of a foot or more. The erect, smooth stem grows from an elongated
taproot. The flowers are blue to purple during the summer months.
It produces a characteristic spirally coiled seed pods.
Some Herbalists believe that alfalfa is the "Big Daddy of
'em all" in terms of nutritional value. The plant is so rich
in Calcium that the ashes of its leaves are almost 99% pure Calcium.
Dosage
When high cholesterol or diabetes is the problem, take 2 capsules
of good quality alfalfa powder with every meal.
For treating infections, make fresh juice from raw alfalfa sprouts
whipped un in a blender. Take 4-6 oz of this juice orally or apply
to the site of infection.
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