What is alfalfa and what is it for?

The alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)it’s a plant legume cultivated on a large scale forageralthough it has numerous nutritional and medicinal properties. It is also common to find it in barren lands, grasslands and ditches in much of Europe, including the northeast of the peninsula.

It is believed to come from central Asiaand which could have been introduced into Europe by the Arabs, although it could also have arrived much earlier, from the Persians through Greece. The truth is that in china is being used for human consumption since at least the 6th century in order to combat digestive pain and kidney disorders.

It is an erect, pubescent plant, trifoliate leaves and blue or yellow flowers. He fruit is a bean very curved or round. Blooms from May and during the summer, and for medicinal purposes are harvested flowering tops in full bloom.

Nutritional properties of alfalfa

Alfalfa stands out for its high content of vitamins –K, E, D and A–, mineral salts such as iron, calcium, zinc and phosphorus, saponosides and isoflavones. It is therefore used as restorative natural in states of weakness, anemia and physical fatigueas well as in states in which an additional supply of vitamins is required: it is a powerful toning.

Given these properties, alfalfa promotes recovery after an illness and helps to regain health. appetite. In such cases, nothing better than taking the fresh plant – the leaf or the sprout of seeds–, integrated in salador in tablets2 to 4 units of up to 300 mg per day.

Medicinal uses of alfalfa

alfalfa can help with other ailments:

• For menstruation and hemorrhoids: Due to its vitamin K content, it is especially indicated to correct heavy menstruationssuperficial, nasal and dental hemorrhages and bleeding hemorrhoids. For these purposes it is recommended to use fresh grass or sprouts, because the potential in Vitamin K can be lost through cooking.
• To regulate cholesterol: like the alfalfa seeds are also considered lipid-loweringits inclusion in the diet is a good option.
• For bones: Due to its contribution of isoflavones and calcium, alfalfa Helps strengthen bones and prevents osteoporosis
• In menopause: Various ways of taking it are recommended, such as sprouts in salad, fresh alfalfa juice micronized -between 500 and 700 mg daily in three doses-, or in capsules, liquid extract and tablets.

Precautions and contraindications

Should be avoided in estrogen or anticoagulant treatments and patients with lupus erythematosus.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”