Herbal Remedies for Alfalfa

18 Jun

Posted by Dr John Anne as Uncategorized

Alfalfa is a well-known herb to health-conscious consumers. It is high in nutrients, which are drawn into the plant from deep in the soil. They are also a source of protein, vitamin E and vitamin K. Alfalfa has been used by the Chinese since the sixth century to treat kidney stones, and to relieve fluid retention and swelling. Alfalfa nourishes the digestive, skeletal, glandular, and urinary systems. Alfalfa contains chlorophyll, which is renowned for its cleansing qualities.

Alfalfa has been known to be effective in healing ailments such as gas pains, pain and stiffness from arthritis and ulcers. Alfalfa herb tea possesses no adverse components and is safe for all people including children.

Uses of Alfalfa:

Alfalfa contains substances such as isoflavones and coumestans, which bind to estrogen receptors in the body. Estrogen binds to these receptors like a key in a lock. If the estrogen level is low and many of these “locks” are empty, the constituents of alfalfa — which resemble estrogen “keys” - bind to them instead and increase estrogenic activity. Alfalfa’s estrogenlike “keys,” although similar to estrogen, are not nearly as strong. If estrogen levels in the body are too high, the estrogen “keys” fill up some of the locks, denying the space to estrogen, thereby reducing estrogenic activity. Because alfalfa may provide some estrogenic activity when the body’s hormone levels are low and may compete for estrogen-binding sites when hormone levels are high, alfalfa is said to be hormone balancing.

Herbal remedies using Alfalfa:

The use of herbal remedies, including the herb alfalfa (also known as lucerne), classified as Medicago sativa, are popular as an alternative to standard Western allopathic medicine for a variety of problems, including menopause, alcoholism, drug dependency as well as boosting energy levels. Medicago sativa is an effective remedy for various ailments, and this natural holistic approach to health is becoming more and more popular, but should not replace conventional medicine or prescription drugs.

How much to take:

The leaf of the alfalfa plant is available in the form of herbal tablets or capsules as well as in bulk herbal form in many herbal stores, processed alfalfa is normally dried. The herbal liquefied extracts of the alfalfa is also widely available for use in various herbal medications around the world. Till now, as far as human consumption is concerned - there is no correct or appropriate therapeutic dose or dosage volume. Alfalfa is normally recommended at 1-2 ml of the tincture form by some herbal experts, some herbalist also recommend taking 500-1,000 mg of dried alfalfa leaf every day for the treatment of various conditions and disorders.

Some of the alfalfa benefits:

First, alfalfa contains many valuable minerals such as iron (needed in hemoglobin), calcium and phosphorus (bone and teeth health), potassium (muscle tone and nerves), manganese (lowers blood sugar levels), chlorides (regulates fat, sugar and starch metabolism), sodium (regulates fluid balance), and silicon magnesium (stimulates brain function). Second, alfalfa is rich in vitamins A (eye health), B6 (stimulates protein and fat metabolism), D (regulates the use of calcium and phosphorus in the body), E (heart and cardiovascular health), K (blood clotting and liver functions), and U (treats peptic ulcers)