The Benefits of the Alfalfa
Posted on February 11 2020
The Mineral-Rich Alfalfa Plant
Herbal remedies still exist and are still widely used in different areas for purposes ranging from healing cancer to packing wounds. Nature really has something to offer for everyone and everything.
One such miracle plant is alfalfa. Also known as Medicago Sativa or Lucerne (more commonly in New Zealand and the United Kingdom), the word alfalfa is generally used in North America. This word is derived from the Spanish word alfalfez and the Arabic word alfalsifa, which means ‘fodder.’ The name hints at one of the alfalfa plant’s main uses for a large part of history.
Alfalfa is a small-seeded perennial crop, with clusters of purple flowers. It widely appears in ancient botanical texts, like those of Palladius, Ibn-al-Awwan, and some Ayurvedic texts. All of them talk about its cultivation and harvest as animal fodder and forage. It was used so because it is rich in the minerals and nutrients needed to sustain healthy cattle and livestock. It was also harvested as hay and used as cover cropping.
Said to be the most mineral-rich plant grown above land, alfalfa only recently gained attention for its nutritional value to humans. It has a high concentration of vitamins K, B, D,and C, with trace amounts of other vitamins; it also contains minerals like copper, manganese, magnesium, and iron, along with several bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids. With so many nutrients and minerals packed into this plant, it’s a wonder why it hasn’t been a staple of our diets for a while now.
Benefits of Consuming Alfalfa
Some Africans and Asians recognize alfalfa for its beneficial contents and eat alfalfa sprouts with their sandwiches and salads. More recently, alfalfa has started being packaged as dietary supplements.Here is why you should be taking in more amounts of alfalfa through these supplements:
1. Cholesterol Control
Perhaps the most widely researched effect of alfalfa has been its ability to control cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that greater consumption of alfalfa leads to lower blood cholesterol levels. Alfalfa is rich in dietary fibers, which prevent cholesterol from locking onto and blocking the arteries. It also helps regulate good cholesterol levels.
2. Hormonal Balance
Alfalfa is said to aid in the balance of hormones in females, especially the most crucial female hormone, estrogen. Alfalfa contains plant compounds known as phytoestrogens, which are chemically similar to estrogen in the female body. An abundance of estrogen can relieve post-menopausal symptoms in women.
3. Hair, Nails, and Skin
Alfalfa's high mineral content makes it a great source of nutrients for our hair, skin, and nails. It is particularly touted to help in relieving hair loss, as it is loaded with nutrients that promote new cell generation, and thus, the growth of stronger hair and nails. It is also packed with antioxidants, making it great for managing skin conditions.