Alfalfa is also called lucern or buffalo grass. Lowers blood cholesterol. It can be used as a tonic, for ulcers and it is also used to benefit the kidneys.

The ancient Arabs were the first to use it as food, and it is often called al-fasfasah, "father of all foods". In Spain the Arabic word became alfalfa. Alfalfa has evolved as one of the premier "health foods".

The whole herb is used medicinally to help stop bleeding to benefit the kidneys and as a general tonic. It is a good laxative and a natural diuretic. It is a folk remedy for arthiritis and is reputed to be an excellent appetite stimulant.

Alfalfa possesses extremely high nutritional value. An excellant source of vitamins A and D, alfalfa leaf is used in the infants' cereal. Also rich in vitamin K, alfalfa has been used in medicine to encourage blood blood clotting. It also lowers blood cholesterol.

Properties:

antianaemic, antihaemorrhagic, diuretic, tonic

Health benefits and applications:

The whole herb is used medicinally to help stop bleeding to benefit the kidneys and as a general tonic. It is a good laxative and a natural diuretic. It is a folk remedy for arthritis and is reputed to be an excellent appetite stimulant.

Other recommended uses for alfalfa are for asthma and hayfever. It has also been found to retard the development of streptozotocin diabetes in mice. It is a traditional European and Russian tea for wasting diseases and is used in some German clinics as a dietary aid in Celiac Disease, together with traditional treatment and diet. A safe and appropriate tea for pregnancy, along with raspberry leaves; also good to drink when sulfa or antibiotic drugs are taken. The dried seeds are boiled in water and drunk for stomachache and hangovers.

Solvent: water

Dosage: For relief from rheumatoid arthritis, take 9-18 alfalfa tablets daily.

Tea: Mix 1 Tbsp with 8 oz of warm water. Drink 1 cup tea daily.

TCM: One of its most common uses is for treatment of ulcers. It is also used to strengthen the digestive tract and stimulate appetite.