Alfalfa - Powerful Nutrient Herb

Alfalfa is a perennial herb which is used as a herbal supplement for many dietary purposes - for example feeding livestock; as well as for medical purposes. Since the sixth century the Chinese have used Alfalfa herbal supplement to relieve fluid retention and swelling. The Arabs fed it to their horses because they believed the Alfalfa made them swift and mighty.

Arabian practitioners were thought to be the first to use Alfalfa as a herbal supplement. They gave it the name "the father of all foods", indicating its nutritional properties. It is rich in minerals and nutrients, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and carotene. Its nutritional properties are thought partly to be due to its deep root system, which enables it to find nutrients in place other plants cannot penetrate.

As a crop for animals, alfalfa has been used for centuries; but it is also used as an herbal medicine. For example, Dr Bernard Jensen, world famous Iridologist and nutritionist, was a strong believer in using alfalfa as a supplement.

Alfalfa is a good diuretic and also has some laxative properties. It also works well for urinary tract infections, and kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders. The latest and greatest discovery of Alfalfa is the benefits that it might provide for lowering cholesterol because there are certain agents in Alfalfa that stick to cholesterol which keeps it from remaining in the blood stream. Further, it may also have a very strong relationship with lowering blood sugar levels.

As well as its properties as a herbal supplement, many people also use alfalfa sprouts in their cooking. Alfalfa sprouts are one of the easiest - and fastest - to grow. It is great in salads and some people eat it as a vegetable all alone. Many people claim that eating Alfalfa is a big part of eating healthily. Alongside wheat grass and algae such as spirulina, Alfalfa has the great nutritional value. It is high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and a high proportion of digestive enzymes.

Alfalfa sprouts have a lovely taste in the mouth, which can be slightly hot sometimes. They can definitely form a part of any salad. They are absolutely delicious.

As a herbal supplement, alfalfa is also great for reducing fevers and is very good for the blood. It contains natural fluoride and so can help to prevent tooth decay. Alfalfa makes a great tea because when the Alfalfa leaves steep in the hot water it is a source of nitrogen. The tea is not only made for human consumption because people who grow irises and delphiniums just love Alfalfa tea because of the great effect that it has on the plants when used as a foliar spray. Many with a green thumb also use Alfalfa as mulch for their flower beds.

Alfalfa is thought to lower blood levels of cholesterol, and to keep the level of blood glucose moderate which confirms its status as a herbal supplement. Many people take Alfalfa supplements, either in capsule form or as fluid extracts or other liquid preparations. Alfalfa is very safe for the great majority of people. In a very small percentage of people it can sometimes produce lupus like symptoms. This is thought to be related to the presence of L-canavanine to which some people are very sensitive. However, this is not present in the leaves of the Alfalfa.