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Alfalfa (lucerne)
Medicago sativa
This page contains information on alfalfa and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems such as menopause discomfort, cancer fighting and lowering cholesterol.
On this page
Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please
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Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Papilioaceae |
Genus and specie |
Medicago sativa |
Lucerne, Chilean clover and buffalo grass.
It is a slim bushy perennial with blue-green trifoliate leaves and mauve to purple flowers with seeds in sickle-shaped pods.
The stems and leaves are used as well as the sprouts from the seeds.
Cooling, sweet, and astringent herb that cleanses toxins from tissues, is diuretic, controls bleeding, and lowers cholesterol levels. Influences hormones and the circulatory and urinary systems.
It is rich in minerals and vitamins and contain organic acids, free amino acids, non-protein amino acids (such as canavinine), strachydrine, coumarins, isoflavonoids, saponins and steroids such as b-sitosterol, campesterol, stigamsterol and others. It contains vitamins A, D, E and K as well as chlorophyll and carotene and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium.
People using antibiotics such as amoxicillin, gentamicin, streptomycin and tetracycline can benefit from this, as it helps to restore the level of vitamin K which is depleted when using these antibiotics as well as cholesterol lowering drugs, steroids as well as anti-seizure medication.
- Internal use
- Modern research is reported to show that alfalfa is useful as an agent in the fight against
- atherosclerosis and heart disease
- stroke
- cancer
- diabetes
- endometriosis
- It is also used to treat drug and alcohol dependency and since it alkalizes the body, helps with detoxification.
- Animal studies are reported to show that alfalfa leaves help to reduce blood cholesterol levels and plaque formation on the artery walls, and these studies have lead researchers to believe that the herb is effective in treating heart disease and preventing strokes, as well as lowering cholesterol levels.
- An article in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute" reported that alfalfa helps to bind carcinogens in the colon to speed elimination and is said to be effective in eliminating bad breath, as it contains chlorophyll.
- In studies it showed that an extract of alfalfa increased the production of white blood cells, including granulocytes, leukocytes and T cells - which is your first line of defense against infection.
- After anti-cancer treatment with chemotherapy (containing cyclophosphamide such as in Cytoxan and Neosar) it was found in animal studies that alfalfa extract completely reversed the immune depression caused by the drugs.
- Diabetics that have a problem responding to insulin, have found benefit from using alfalfa and manganese.
- The sprouts of the seeds contain phytoestrogen that can help to block the body's estrogen receptor sites, thereby reducing the effect of the estrogen produced by the body.
- Alfalfa seeds contain homostachydrine and stachydrine, which promote menstruation and may cause miscarriage. The herb should however not be regarded as an effective contraceptive.
- Homeopaths and herbalists use alfalfa to treat anemia, debility in convalescence, feminine disorders relating to hormonal imbalance and menopausal complaints.
- Alfalfa contains vitamin K which is helpful to promote normal blood clotting and vitamin K (as K2) has been found to help prevent bone loss which is coupled to estrogen deficiency and also helps to increase the formation of new bone.
- The herbs enzymes are also active in promoting food assimilation in the body and although it is used in folk medicine as a treatment for stomach ulcers, it has not been conclusively proven, yet are still used for that purpose as well.
- External use
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
Not to be taken during pregnancy and also contraindicated in autoimmune diseases or when using blood thinning or anticoagulant medication such as warfarin.
Not recommended for use as a contraceptive and the canavinine in alfalfa has been linked to reactivating lupus erythenatosus (SLE) and reversible pancytopenia and the seeds should not be taken if you suffer from, or have suffered from this disease.
Excessive intake may cause photosensitivity, and breakdown of red blood cells.
A medical practitioners advice should be sought before eating massive alfalfa, in cases of anemia.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us. | |
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