Family:

Fabaceae family

 

Part Used:

Aerial parts (above ground) and seeds.

 

Energetics & Taste:

Cooling, moistening, bland.

 

Habitat:

Native to Europe, North Africa, and Southwestern Asia. It can be found growing in meadows with temperate climates worldwide.

Ethnobotany/Historical Uses: This nitrogen-fixing, bee-friendly crop is believed to have been domesticated between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago, making it one of the earliest domesticated forage crops. During the Bronze Age, it was cultivated to feed horses, a practice that continues today as it is now grown worldwide for livestock feed. Alfalfa was first introduced to the U.S. from Chile in the early 1700s and gained popularity during the California Gold Rush. Historically, alfalfa was used to treat jaundice, aid digestion, promote blood clotting, and combat anemia. Native Americans ground their seeds into flour, while in Traditional Chinese Medicine, alfalfa has been used since 200 CE to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, treat bladder stones, and stimulate appetite.

Modern Day Uses/Key Benefits: Today, alfalfa is cherished by herbalists as a highly nutritious herb. Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, chlorophyll, and phosphorus, alfalfa is used as a general tonic to combat various health issues. It contains isoflavones and coumarins, which have estrogenic properties, making it beneficial for menopausal symptoms, anemia, osteoporosis, stimulating lactation, and even reducing the risk of breast cancer by replacing harmful estrogens with phytoestrogens. Additionally, the saponins in alfalfa have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

 

Contraindications:

Women who are pregnant should avoid alfalfa due to its uterine stimulant action. Excess alfalfa consumption should be avoided in men and women with fertility problems. Vitamin K in plants can interact with blood-thinning drugs like Warfarin. Those with lupus are advised not to take alfalfa because it stimulates the immune system. Due to the mass production of alfalfa for livestock feed, always purchase organic.