Alfalfa Leaves 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Alfalfa Leaves – 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
Alfalfa has helped many with cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive system issues. Traditionally it was used in treating diabetes in people with a poorly functioning thyroid gland. There is also evidence in animal and cell studies that components in alfalfa may lower cholesterol and have antifungal effects.

Atherosclerosis. Scientific studies with animals have found that alfalfa leaf extracts lower total cholesterol and the “bad” cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, without lowering the “good” cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In one study people who had high cholesterol levels used 40 to 80 grams of alfalfa seeds for eight weeks and it lowered their total cholesterol and the LDL levels. The typical dose is 40 grams of heat-prepared seeds, three times a day. Alfalfa may also help shrink atherosclerotic plaques. Alfalfa’s effect on atherosclerosis is probably due to its effect on the activity of immune cells known as macrophages. Macrophages are drawn to sites of wear and tear in artery linings, where they form a platform on which cholesterol can collect. Alfalfa regulates macrophages in such a way that they are less likely to “lodge” in the linings of arteries and accumulate cholesterol. Alfalfa also slows the progress of atherosclerosis by keeping cholesterol from entering the body from food. The alfalfa saponins, which are soap-like compounds, form an insoluble foam with cholesterol inside the intestine. The resulting foam cannot be absorbed through the walls of the intestine and is excreted in the stool.

Cancer. Alfalfa has important uses in counteracting the effects of cancer chemotherapy. White blood cells, including granulocytes, leukocytes, and T cells, are the body’s first line of defense against infection. Alfalfa extracts may increase the production of these white cells by as much as 60 percent. Studies in animals have found that alfalfa completely reverses immune depression caused by treatment with the cancer chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar). Although alfalfa suppresses the action of macrophages (see above), it does not inhibit the activity of any of the immune cells the body needs during the first stages of infection.

Endometriosis. Doctors may prescribe synthetic estrogen, usually in the form of birth control pills, for the treatment of endometriosis. Naturopaths have favored herbs and foods with phytoestrogens, natural plant hormones that are related to estrogen but are less potent than the body’s own estrogens. Alfalfa sprouts contain phytoestrogens that also block the body’s estrogen receptor sites, thereby reducing the effect of a woman’s own hormones.

Fungal infections. The saponins found in alfalfa have well-documented antifungal properties. When applied topically in studies using pigs, alfalfa helped improve skin tone that was damaged by Trichophyton mentagrophytes. In addition, an extract of alfalfa was shown to treat cryptococcosis and candidiasis.

Menopause-related problems. Hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms are rare among women who consume a lot of legumes, such as black beans, mung beans, and soybeans, which have mild estrogenic activity. Alfalfa has demonstrable estrogenic activity, too. In addition to acting like estrogen in women whose own sex hormone production has declined, phytoestrogens also appear to reduce the risk of estrogen-linked cancers such as breast cancer. Laboratory experiments show that phytoestrogens are effective in preventing tumors of the breast tissue.

Nosebleeds. Alfalfa contains vitamin K, which helps blood clot normally. The level of vitamin K in alfalfa is not so high as to interfere with normal circulation.

Osteoporosis. Clinical studies in Japan have found that vitamin K2, found in alfalfa and in green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, can partially prevent bone loss caused by estrogen deficiency. The vitamin interacts with vitamin D to increase the formation of new bone. The combination is not sufficient, however, to completely compensate for osteoporosis caused by estrogen-depleting medications.

Ulcers. Herbalists have long used alfalfa to treat ulcers, with good results. The bioflavonoids found in alfalfa build capillary strength and reduce inflammation of the stomach lining, while alfalfa’s vitamin A helps to maintain the stomach’s health. The herb’s enzymes aid in food assimilation.

Recommended Uses

Alfalfa is not recommended as primary treatment for any condition. Instead, it should be taken in capsules, tablets, or ointment, or eaten as fresh raw sprouts that have been rinsed thoroughly to remove mold. The sprouting process creates an outstanding environment for microorganism propagation, so care must be taken before eating them. Treating alfalfa with chlorine or other disinfectants may not be enough to reduce the pathogen growth. Some have proposed radiation as the best alternative. Alfalfa seeds should never be eaten unless sprouted because they contain high levels of the toxic amino acid canavanine.

Botanical Name: Medicago sativa
English: Alfalfa, Lucerne
Ayurvedic: Vilaayatigawuth, lusan, lasunghaas
Unani: Barsem
Also, known as: Buffalo Herb, California clover, Luzeme, Mu su, Medica, Purple medic
Origin: Hungary
Harvested: Cultivated, As a farm crop
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Alfalfa is also called as a Buffalo herb, is an extraordinary storehouse of vital vitamins and mineral and phytonutrients, including vitamins A, D, E, K, and the full range of B; biotin, calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, potassium, digestive enzymes, blood builder and chlorophyll. And, being very high in protein, especially when dried. No wonder Alfalfa is the superior herbal choice for vitality & well-being!

Alfalfa is a name everyone has heard, but few know much about it other than the fact that it’s a plant. The alfalfa plant is primarily native to Asia and is one of the first known herbs for mankind. It is often used for feeding animals as it has the highest nutritional value of all the hay/forage crops. The word alfalfa is derived from Arabic, specifically, the phrase “al-fac-facah”, which literally means “Father of all foods” because it is so rich in essential nutrients. Clearly, ancient ancestors considered alfalfa be vital to their everyday lives. They used it not just for their own consumption, but to feed their livestock and to have better fertilize their agricultural lands due to its abundance of vitamins and minerals. Although it originated in Asia, it is now extremely common in the USA, Europe, Canada.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.