Alfalfa – Medicago sativa

Habitat & Cultivation: A wayside plant native to Europe, North Africa &t Asia. Cultivated in temperate regions around the globe as a fodder crop and found on waste grounds and cultivated areas. Propagated from seed.

Parts Used: Arial parts harvested in summer. Sprouting seeds

Planet – Venus

Element – Earth

Energetics: Nourishing and moistening.

Main Constituents: Isoflavones, coumarins, porphyrins, alkaloids, trace minerals and vitamins.

Actions: Bitter, nutritive, mineralising, galactagogue, anticoagulant, oestrogenic, anti-cholesterol, anti-anaemia, antidiabetic.

Preparation: Tea, powder/capsules, green juice, sprouted seeds

Uses:

Digestion: Alfalfa is an excellent source of vitamins, trace minerals enzymes that support digestion and assimilation of nutrients. It helps with poor appetite and general deficiency. It helps to activate peristalsis of the bowel, shifting constipation. It can help weight gain.

Reproductive System: Alfalfa has oestrogenic properties and can offer support with menstrual cycle issues and the menopause. It can also be helpful for disorders of the prostate. 

MSK: 

Alfalfa helps to encourage strong bones and can help treat arthritis, back pain, lumbago and rheuCardiovascular System: Alfalfa can help to prevent high blood pressure.

Respiratory System: Can improve ear, nose and throat problems and clear sinus infections.

matism.  Supportive of the growth of connective tissue it is valuable in treating collagen deficient issues.

Skin: Helpful for wound healing, abscesses and ulceration of the skin.

Urinary System: Alfalfa helps treat kidney and bladder issues and is also a diuretic.

 Other: Supportive for Type 1 Diabetes

Doses:

Tea – one cup 2 teaspoons of herb, drunk freely.

Tincture – Rarely used

Powder: 1-4g 2-3 x daily

Green Juice – Fresh herb one glass daily or mixed with other fruit and vegetables.

Myths and Folklore: Alfalfa was brought to Greece by the king of Persia in his endeavour to conquer Athens. It has a history of being kept in the home to protect the dwellers from hunger and from poverty and to increase prosperity.

This herbal monograph is used with the permission of The Plant Medicine School.