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Alfalfa (lucerne)
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It is a slim bushy perennial with blue-green trifoliate leaves
and mauve to purple flowers with seeds in sickle-shaped pods.
Parts used
The stems and leaves are used as well as the sprouts from the seeds.
Properties
Cooling, sweet, and astringent herb that cleanses toxins from tissues,
is diuretic, controls bleeding, and lowers cholesterol levels. Influences
hormones and the circulatory and urinary systems.
It is rich in minerals and vitamins and contain organic acids, free
amino acids, non-protein amino acids (such as canavinine), strachydrine,
coumarins, isoflavonoids, saponins and steroids such as b-sitosterol,
campesterol, stigamsterol and others. It contains vitamins A, D,
E and K as well as chlorophyll and carotene and minerals such as
potassium, calcium, magnesium.
People using antibiotics such as amoxicillin, gentamicin, streptomycin
and tetracycline can benefit from this, as it helps to restore the
level of vitamin K which is depleted when using these antibiotics
as well as cholesterol lowering drugs, steroids as well as anti-seizure
medication.
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Therapeutic uses;
Internal use
Modern research is reported to show that alfalfa is useful as an agent
in the fight against
atherosclerosis and heart disease
stroke
cancer
diabetes
endometriosis
It is also used to treat drug and alcohol dependency and since it
alkalizes the body, helps with detoxification.
Animal studies are reported to show that alfalfa leaves help to reduce
blood cholesterol levels and plaque formation on the artery walls,
and these studies have lead researchers to believe that the herb is
effective in treating heart disease and preventing strokes, as well
as lowering cholesterol levels.
An article in the "Journal of the National Cancer Institute"
reported that alfalfa helps to bind carcinogens in the colon to speed
elimination and is said to be effective in eliminating bad breath,
as it contains chlorophyll.
In studies it showed that an extract of alfalfa increased the production
of white blood cells, including granulocytes, leukocytes and T cells
- which is your first line of defense against infection.
After anti-cancer treatment with chemotherapy (containing cyclophosphamide
such as in Cytoxan and Neosar) it was found in animal studies that
alfalfa extract completely reversed the immune depression caused by
the drugs.
Diabetics that have a problem responding to insulin, have found benefit
from using alfalfa and manganese.
The sprouts of the seeds contain phytoestrogen that can help to block
the body's estrogen receptor sites, thereby reducing the effect of
the estrogen produced by the body.
Alfalfa seeds contain homostachydrine and stachydrine, which promote
menstruation and may cause miscarriage. The herb should however not
be regarded as an effective contraceptive.
Homeopaths and herbalists use alfalfa to treat anemia, debility in
convalescence, feminine disorders relating to hormonal imbalance and
menopausal complaints.
Alfalfa contains vitamin K which is helpful to promote normal blood
clotting and vitamin K (as K2) has been found to help prevent bone
loss which is coupled to estrogen deficiency and also helps to increase
the formation of new bone.
The herbs enzymes are also active in promoting food assimilation in
the body and although it is used in folk medicine as a treatment for
stomach ulcers, it has not been conclusively proven, yet are still
used for that purpose as well.
External use
None noted.
Aromatherapy and essential oil use
None noted.
Safety precautions and warnings
Not to be taken during pregnancy and also contraindicated in autoimmune
diseases or when using blood thinning or anticoagulant medication
such as warfarin.
Not recommended for use as a contraceptive and the canavinine in alfalfa
has been linked to reactivating lupus erythenatosus (SLE) and reversible
pancytopenia and the seeds should not be taken if you suffer from,
or have suffered from this disease.
Excessive intake may cause photosensitivity, and breakdown of red
blood cells.
A medical practitioners advice should be sought before eating massive
alfalfa, in cases of anemia. |
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