Alfalfa

Commonly known as the “father of all foods”, alfalfa (also known as lucerne) is a tonic plant rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, that is used to treat many diseases due to its pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This perennial clover-type leguminous plant species is also commonly baled for hay as an animal fodder in Australia. The sprouts (germinated seeds) are a popular health food and the ground dried herb may be given during convalescence and debility because it is rich in vitamins and minerals.  

An energetically cooling herb, alfalfa has a long tradition of use as an Ayurvedic medicine, used in central nervous and digestive system disorders. It has been used in the treatment of perimenopausal symptoms in women. Hot flushes and night sweating completely disappeared with the treatment of alfalfa extract. It is also used to reduce haemorrhage, as a tonic after blood loss and during anaemia, and is considered useful in lowering cholesterol levels.  

The late Australian herbalist, Dorothy Hall said, “it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t need alfalfa in a general food sense, but a description of the more specific ‘Alfalfa-type’ will show when it is needed medicinally.” And, Hall says, one part of this picture is “all the diseases caused initially by irritation; followed by inflammation, congestion and impaired function. This person is irritable, swollen here and there, with itchy or even painful areas of congestion and soreness which may change locality from day to day or time to time.” In her charming familiar tone Hall muses that alfalfa is for the “sins of the highly developed countries.” “Cultural sophistication always brings with it decadence from over-supply and over-indulgence in the good things of life at the table, far more than is needed for body maintenance and energy. Perhaps it’s not so coincidental that alfalfa has become popular at the time it is most needed. The remedy is always found close to the disease.” 

References

Raeeszadeh M, Beheshtipour J, Jamali R, Akbari A. The Antioxidant Properties of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Its Biochemical, Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Pathological Effects on Nicotine-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rat Liver. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022 Mar 26;2022:2691577. doi: 10.1155/2022/2691577. PMID: 35378828; PMCID: PMC8976666.

van Wyk B, Wink M. Medicinal Plants of the World. Pretoria: Briza Publications; 2004. p. 201

Mills S. The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism. Thorsons:London. 1989. p.144

Bora KS, Sharma A. Phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Medicago sativa: A review, Pharmaceutical Biology. 2011;49(2):211-220, DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2010.504732

Hall D. Dorothy Hall’s Herbal Medicine. Sydney:Lothian. 1988. p. 82-5