How to Use Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) — food, medicine, and lore

How to Use Alfalfa

Medicago sativa of Fabaceae This post might contain affiliate links.

What better way to make a salad even more nutritious than to add an herb and veggie that is jam-packed with numerous vitamins and micro-nutrients? Alfalfa, also known as “Lucerne” or Medicago sativa, is a seasonal crop that was used to feed both people and domesticated animals for quite a length of human history. The flowers of this astonishing herb are blue to purple. The fruit is colored black or brown when ripe and contains a plenitude of yellow seeds that have an irregular kidney shape. It is a plant that has been developed as feed for livestock for hundreds of years and is still an important rummage crop in several countries around the world. It is inestimable for its exceptional content of vitamins, minerals, and protein compared to other feed sources. Although part of the legume family, this plant is also considered an herb with a history of medicinal properties as well. In the next few sections, we will delve into the vast story behind this plant, it’s benefit to us, and how you can use alfalfa in your life.

History

The first reference of alfalfa was discovered in an old text written by the Emperor of China in 2939 BC. This plant has a long history of use in China as an appetite stimulant and a herbal health regimen. It is generally used as an herbal treatment for infections. Alfalfa is believed to have originated in Central Asia and the Middle East propagating to other continents through human transplantation. From archaeology, it looks like alfalfa was first cultivated in Babylon. The first explicit record of its introduction into Greece was in about 490 BC. From Greece it spread to Rome, through North Africa, to Spain, and then through Europe and Russia. The Spaniards brought it to Mexico and Peru, and from there it spread through South America and North America. Introduced by a German immigrant about 100 years ago, many North Americans refer to alfalfa “Lucerne”. This name is also commonly used in South Africa, in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Endicotts
Order: Rosids
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Medicago
Species: M. Sativa
Binomial Name: Medicago sativa

Lore

It was the Arabs in the Middle parts of Asia who named this herbal plant alfalfa, which means “Father of all foods”. It is believed that Arabs fed these sprouts to their horses to enhance their speed. Native Americans in North America used the herb to stimulate blood clotting and to gain energy and bone strength through their own studies of the plant. In some folk traditions it is also believed that you should burn alfalfa and spread the ashes around your buildings and properties to protect your wealth.

Another tradition in the old days, people wove the strands of alfalfa to create an amulet and brought it wherever they traveled most, especially when they looked into loans from the bank because it was considered a traditional “good luck herb” for prosperity. This association with wealth also had the plant used in “anti hunger spells” in European folk lore. They say that you should put alfalfa in a jar and place it on your kitchen’s cupboard to avert hunger, poverty, and unhappiness.

Uses

Medicinal — The leaves of alfalfa are known to have antibacterial properties as well as natural diuretic and laxative effects as well. The plant was used in the past to treat digestive disorders like constipation and ulcers. This wonder herb also helps to recuperate the body after illness due to its high protein content. In addition, decreasing cholesterol levels in your body and the buildup of plaques in the heart’s artery walls is another effect routine intake of this plant has shown to have. It has been proven to aid in inflammation and numerous conditions that reduces pain. It is also essential to lactating mothers as alfalfa has shown to be a galactagogue food that helps restore estrogen in women after pregnancy. It can ease painful pre-menstruation symptoms and be a remedy for irregular menstruation due to its blood effect properties. It also helps in mitigating migraines due to its high magnesium and calcium content. Myriad sources of phytoestrogens in alfalfa can reduce the activity of free radicals inside the body which shows promise in its aid in cancer prevention.

Culinary — the sprouts of this plant is best used in salads with its ability to aid the body in absorbing nutrients from foods and decrease fat production. This is a perfect meal for dieters. You can just mix alfalfa sprouts well into vegetable dishes. It also is great to use in sandwiches as it is very rich in fiber. Alfalfa supplements can be taken in tablet or powdered form and be used to make tea. It is typically considered bland or tasteless.

Spiritual — The herb alfalfa is known for its good luck in gambling. Old folks carry leaves of alfalfa as it will deliver luck and winnings. It brings prosperity in money matters. They say it plays well with other herbs such as Basil and Goldenseal to boost your luck. Traditional lore states that alfalfa keeps you away from scarcity and financial predicament. This may be based on its role in keeping livestock well fed and healthy in the past.

Growing Tips

This age-old herb is an effortlessly easy plant to grow. It is recommended to start with chemical-free seed sprouts for your garden if you are interested in having this plant on hand. Place two (2) spoons of seeds into a jar. Soak, rinse and drain two times a day. Then you will have sprouts after 3–4 days of repeating this. Growing alfalfa should be done on deep, well depleted soil. This plant needs a good amount of phosphorus and potassium to grow to optimal health even though it acclimates readily in variable temperatures. It is best to pick for leaves when it is in bloom. It favors temperate-warm or subtropical semi-dry climates and it adapts well to soil.

Word of Caution

Dismally, alfalfa shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy as it causes uterine contraction and stimulation. Provision is needed in eating alfalfa sprouts grown in contaminated water. Avoid fetid sprouts and consistently make sure to rinse sprouts before consuming. Those who are taking anti-rejection pills for transplant should not use any form of alfalfa due to its blood effecting properties. Similarly, individuals who take anticoagulant drugs should always consult physicians first before ingesting the herb as well.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that alfalfa is a fascinating plant that is rich in vitamins and nutrients. For hundreds of years, this wonder herb has been used to treat a variety of illnesses and to improve the health of man and livestock. Alfalfa is commonly thought of as a food but it can also be a genuinely nourishing natural medicine. Alfalfa extracts or sprouts can be used in so many easy ways, making this a very accessible veggie for many. This humble herb throughout its many uses and sustenance of us through our history is truly a display of nature’s wonders.

What do you think of these tasty little sprouts in your salad or sandwich? Tell us below!

Like our articles? Check out Eupterra Foundation’s main page for more insightful reading and subscribe to our newsletter to get more herblore 🙂

~~~

Works Cited

Herbalriot. “Magickal Properties of Alfalfa.” Herbal Riot, 7 July 2013, herbalriot.tumblr.com/post/54829638215/magickal-properties-of-alfalfa.

“Alfalfa.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Feb. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfalfa.

Bytes, Belly. “Alfalfa as an Herb.” Belly Bytes, www.bellybytes.com/herbs/alfalfa.html#.WouUEhmcHIU.

Encyclopedia Americana, 2001. Grollier Incorporated, 2001.

Originally published at https://eupterra.com on February 23, 2018.