Alfalfa seems to be a herb that everyone knows a little about but few people know a lot about. I mean, you probably know that it’s good for you, right? That’s why you can find alfalfa sprouts as a sandwich topping at most delis or scattered around our appetizer on a small plate at a fancy restaurant. But what about the rest of the plant, like the leaves? And what exactly does it do?
History of Alfalfa Use
Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, comes from the Arabic name for the plant (al-fiS-fiSa) which has sometimes been translated as “father of all foods” or “freshest fodder” and even “holy hay”, all of which reference the high nutritional value of the plant for consumption by people and animals. The plant has an extensive root system, which allows it to absorb a very high level of nutrients from the soil, making the sprouts and especially the leaves full of essential vitamins. These include the entire spectrum of B-vitamins, A, D, E, and K. The leaves are also a source of iron, niacin, biotin, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium as well as high levels of protein and amino acids – a veritable multivitamin on it’s own!
Alfalfa leaf has been used as fodder for animals and as medicine for humans for thousands of years. It is probably originally from south-central Asia and was originally cultivated in Iran. Early Turkish writings mention the leaf around 1300 BC. Spanish colonizers of America introduced alfalfa and used it as fodder for their horses, noting that the animals had more energy after eating alfalfa than grass.
Health Benefits of Alfalfa Leaf
Alfalfa leaf is truly a “wonder-herb” worthy of our respect and attention! In addition to higher energy, the vitamins and nutrients in the leaves have a myriad positive health effects on the body. A quick Pinterest search can yield infographics of 10, 15, even 25 benefits of alfalfa sprouts and leaves, and you may experience even more depending on how your body reacts to the nutrients in alfalfa leaves!
Full of essential minerals and vitamins for health and beauty, alfalfa is also used as an effective herbal remedy for different ailments such as swelling, high cholesterol, fluid retention, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, cholesterol, and hormone imbalances.
Beauty wise, alfalfa does wonders for our skin. The chlorophyll in alfalfa cleanses and detoxifies the body. It is rich in Vitamin A, which helps in the maintenance and construction of healthy, glowing skin from the inside out! For your hair, alfalfa leaf is full of protein and Vitamins B1 and C, which improve blood circulation in the scalp. Combined with Vitamin E, which increases absorption of oxygen, hair can grow longer and stronger thanks to alfalfa leaf.
Internally, alfalfa leaf is a major player in reducing the risk of many common and deadly diseases. It can prevent cholesterol levels from going too high and therefore decreases the risk of heart disease. It is known to help the binding of carcinogens that are present in the colon, reducing the risk of cancer. The phytonutrients such as chlorophyll help increase the body’s resistance to many diseases, acting as a natural immunity booster.
One of the oldest documented uses of alfalfa leaf is to treat digestive problems. Gastritis, stomach ulcers, indigestion, bloating, nausea, anything that you would or could treat with Pepto Bismol can be safely addressed through an alfalfa leaf treatment instead! Alfalfa leaf also has well documented diuretic properties, which prevent kidney disorders and can alleviate swelling and prevent UTIs.
Alfalfa and Women’s Health
One of the most interesting aspects of alfalfa leaf, and one that is particularly relevant as we look at the benefits for women’s health, is the way that alfalfa leaf acts as a hormone balancer. For women with low estrogen levels, alfalfa binds to estrogen receptors and can trigger a hormone boost. For women with estrogen levels that are too high, the alfalfa can bind to the same receptors and block estrogen from binding there, reducing the hormone level. Either way, it acts as an amazing natural hormone balancing agent. The phytoestrogens in alfalfa responsible for this effect can also provide significant relief for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Alfalfa has long been used safely by women during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Alfalfa is recognizing as having potentially positive benefits in later pregnancy, when it can boost Vitamin K and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. It does enter breast milk and is safe for baby, but too much might cause your baby to develop diarrhea, so make sure to introduce alfalfa into your diet naturally.
How to use Alfalfa Leaf
Alfalfa sprouts can be added to salads or sandwiches and have a mild taste. The leaves are a little more bitter so while you can find alfalfa leaf in tablet and powder form, the most common way to get these benefits is in a tea. Alfalfa leaf has a mild flavor that blends well with other herbs such as red raspberry leaf and nettle in a Women’s Wellness Tea, or it can be found and consumed on its own.
Alfalfa Leaf Precautions
Side effects from alfalfa are mild if it is introduced gradually and tend to be mild if they are experienced at all. If you introduce a large amount to your system fairly quickly, you might experience diarrhea. If you are breastfeeding and have an abundant supply, you may experience oversupply and engorgement.
Alfalfa is a leafy, green vegetable and as such it contains Vitamin K which can interfere with anticoagulant medication.
Alfalfa can trigger autoimmune disorders, so be sure to discuss adding alfalfa leaf to your diet if you suffer from Lupus or another autoimmune condition.
Because of its phytoestrogen effects, those with hormonal cancers or severe hormone imbalances should always discuss alfalfa leaf with their doctor
With all the goodness that you can find in alfalfa, it is clearly a great addition to almost any diet. Alfalfa leaf tea is mild and easy to drink and can have benefits throughout the entire body almost immediately.
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