The Healing Power of Alfalfa

1. In the west we mainly know alfalfa as a sprout vegetable, but the leaves of the adult plant are perfectly edible and, just like the sprouted seeds, have medicinal properties. Alfalfa cures an extensive spectrum of diseases. It is a performance-enhancing agent for athletes, helps improve reduced thyroid function, can be used against menopausal hot flashes, strengthens the heart and prevents night blindness, just to name a few of the wide range of healing applications.

Contents:

1. Naming alfalfa Vitamins and minerals alfalfa Other active substances alfalfa Use alfalfa in history Alfalfa, good for mental performance Good for physical constitution Alfalfa against bleeding Alfalfa against rheumatism and poisoning Alfalfa for menopausal complaints Alfalfa against cardiovascular disease Alfalfa, good for digestion Alfalfa for cramps Alfalfa to increase resistance Consult the herbalist

Naming alfalfa

1. In Latin, Alfalfa is called Medicago Sativa. The most popular explanation for the word medicago is that it comes from medica because it is a medicinal herb against many diseases. Yet there are people who claim that it grew mainly in the wild around the North African city of Ḿedea and that its name is derived from that. Alfalfa is etymologically speaking the corruption of the Arabic word 'al-fac-facah' which means: 'Father of all Food' which refers to the many phytonutrients including a great variety of vitamins and minerals that are found in this sprout. In Dutch, alfalfa is sold under several different names: alfalfa, alfalfa and clover.

Vitamins and minerals alfalfa

1. For the medicinal effects, the whole alfalfa plant can be used, or the germinated seeds or the leaves. Alfalfa contains more vitamins and minerals than many other plants. The sprouted syrups contain vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B17, C, D, E, K and U. It contains the minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, zinc, boron, silicon , chromium, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, sodium and aluminum. Incidentally, alumnium occurs in very low, harmless concentrations in plants, but it can end up in the body in toxic amounts because it is put in salt as a sythetized agent to prevent it from clumping, it is in many preservatives and it is used in commercial cheese preparation.

Other active ingredients alfalfa

1. There are 14 different amino acids in this tasty vegetable, including eight essential ones: leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, valine, tryptophan, methionine, threonine and lysine. It also contains saponins, amines, oleanolic acids, L-canavanine, enzymes, chlorophyll, xanthophyll, octacosanol, rutin, phytosterols, phytoestrogen, coumarins, tricine and to a small extent carbohydrates, fibers and fats.

Use alfalfa in history

1. In the Bronze Age, alfalfa was cultivated in Iran because it made horses faster. In China in the 6th century BC, alfalfa was used as a medicine for digestive diseases and kidney stones. In Ayurveda, Indian medicine, alfalfa has been prescribed for centuries for fluid retention and arthritis. Alfalfa is still used today in scientifically based modern herbal medicine; phytotherapy. From about 400 BC, alfalfa was cultivated in Europe as a medicinal food crop. The Native Americans in America used alfalfa by processing the seeds into flour. The leaves were also consumed. Historically, alfalfa has been used not only for human consumption but also for feeding animals. In signature theory it is said that the kidney-shaped seeds indicate the diuretic property. In folk medicine, this medicinal vegetable is used for: appetite loss, anemia, digestive problems such as indigestion, promoting breast milk production and stomach pain. Nutritionists of the modern age confirm that alfalfa is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world.

Alfalfa, good for mental performance

1. This sprouting medicinal herb is a tonic for the pituitary gland and the thyroid gland. A tonic means: general tonic. The combination of vitamins, minerals and amino acids ensures an increased TRH hormone and also has a revitalizing, constructive and adaptive effect. By combining these healing powers in the alfalfa sprouts, it can be prescribed as a phytotherapeutic medicine for:

Good for physical constitution

1. Alfalfa supplements vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Chlorophyll stimulates tissue growth and bio-identical hormones in the form of phyto-ostrogens inhibit bone breakdown in menopause. In addition, this nutrient-rich vegetable is diuretic; it promotes breast milk production. Due to these medicinal properties, a phytotherapist can decide to use it for the following indications:

Alfalfa against bleeding

1. Vitamin K, C and calcium provide a blood stopping effect. In addition, vitamin K, iron and chlorophyll for extra blood production; it increases the hemoglobin level. This makes alfalfa a very useful healing food for:

Alfalfa against rheumatism and poisoning

1. Alfalfa is mildly diuretic. This means that it has a diuretic effect, excess moisture is passed out faster. In addition, it is depurative; the medical term for blood purifiers. Chlorophyll in particular is the active substance here. It ensures that heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium and toxic hydrocarbons such as PCBs and dioxin are removed from the body more quickly. In addition, this germinated medicinal vegetable has an alkalinizing or deacidifying effect. The combination of these facts makes it an anti-rheumatic agent. After all, rheumatic diseases are caused by toxins that accumulate in fluid accumulations. In phytotherapy, the use of alfalfa can be prescribed for:

Alfalfa for menopausal complaints

1. Menopause symptoms can be counteracted with phytoestrogens. These bio-identical hormones are healthier than synthetic hormones. There are three types of phytoestrogens in alfalfa: genistein, biocanin and coumestrol. Moreover, it contains many minerals, which also helps against menopausal complaints. These medicinal effects make it a good remedy for:

Alfalfa against cardiovascular disease

1. Arteriosclerosis is the start of almost every cardiovascular disease. Chlorophyll helps prevent calcium from attaching to the walls of the blood vessels. Contrary to what some academic doctors say, calcium or calcium does play a role in arteriosclerosis and this name has therefore been chosen correctly. In addition to calcium deposits, cholesterol can oxidize and, along with calcium, attach to blood vessel walls. This can be prevented by getting a lot of antioxidants. Alfalfa is a vegetable that is relatively one of the most antioxidant-rich vegetables; it actively helps prevent arteriosclerosis. In addition, alfalfa is a natural blood thinner, the rutin present strengthens the vessel walls and for a combination of these reasons it is a heart tonic; a tonic for the heart. These medicinal properties are a reason for phytotherapists to prescribe it for the following indications:

Alfalfa, good for digestion

1. Alfalfa is a siologologist which means that it promotes saliva. In addition, it is an appetite stimulant and a stomach enhancer. Methyl-methinine protects and repairs damaged liver, intestinal and gastric mucosa. It is a digestive agent because it contains enzymes. Chlorophyll has a laxative and deodorizing effect. In addition, the sprouted alfalfa sprouts are an antispasmodic. These medicinal properties are used in phytotherapy to prescribe alfalfa for the following digestive indications:

Alfalfa against cramps

1. Alfalfa is spasmolytic; that is to say it relieves cramps. This does not only apply to stomach cramps. It also works against muscle cramps, growing pains, spasmophilia and menstrual cramps. This efficacy is not only achieved by taking alfalfa-based medications. This activity is achieved by eating alfalfa.

Alfalfa to increase resistance

1. The many phytonutrients and in particular chlorophyll and L-canavanine provide a resistance-enhancing effect, making alfalfa a vegetable that prevents almost all diseases. It not only prevents illnesses but fights illnesses from which one already suffers. Infectious diseases in particular can be combated with the help of these culinary responsible sprouts. In addition, its powerful antioxidant effect makes it a means of preventing cancer. As a medicinal extra, it lowers blood sugar, which means that it can be used in addition to insulin especially for people with diabetes or diabetes mellitus; there is a very good chance that you will need less insulin if you eat alfalfa regularly. For these medicinal reasons, the tasty sprout vegetable is used for:

Consult the herbalist

1. Those who want to use alfalfa as a medicinal product are advised to consult a herbalist. Alfalfa extracts and medicines in the form of mother tinctures, powders, nebulisate, liquid extract and capsules should only be taken on prescription by authorized persons. A doctor or herbalist can inform you about this, as well as about any side effects and interactions with other medicines or herbs. All medicinal effects of this medicinal herb mentioned in this article are based on scientific research and come from Geert Verhelst's Large Handbook of Medicinal Plants, a standard work in the field of healing plants. The book is used in phytotherapy.