Alfalfa is a perennial plant grown in warm or temperate climates throughout the world. Also known as lucerne, the herb is only referred to as Alfalfa in the United States. A member of the pea family, Alfalfa is grown as a forage crop for livestock fodder. Technically a legume, the plant develops small clusters of purple flowers that surround seeded fruit pods.
Growing to a height of 3 feet, the crop is incredibly drought resistant. Often harvested as hay, Alfalfa’s benefits to farms and ranchers are innumerable. While most commonly used as a forage crop, Alfalfa presents a number of holistic benefits and remedies as well.
Health Benefits of Alfalfa
Aptly named the “king of all foods”, Alfalfa is a nutrient rich herb. Scientists gave Alfalfa its royal moniker due to its high levels of vitamin A, D, K, E, and B. Additionally, Alfalfa has a large amount of folic acid, iron, calcium, biotin, potassium, and magnesium.
When the herb is dried, the protein levels inherent to the plant increase as well. As if the high levels of vitamins and minerals were not enough, Alfalfa has also proven to work effectively against battling high cholesterol.
Other uses for Alfalfa can include bad breath, hormone imbalance, joint inflammation, and skin irritation.
Alfalfa is an easy herb to ingest. Often it is simplest to brew the Alfalfa as a tea and drink it daily. The herb itself is not very flavorful at all, in fact it is quite bland. As such, users have determined that when brewed in tea or mixed in foods it does not alter the original flavor of the dish whatsoever.
Those who do not wish to consume Alfalfa mixed into their daily diet will find the capsules sold in health food stores to be an incredibly easy option.
If searching for Alfalfa’s at the pharmacy, one should look near the vitamins and supplements. Alfalfa is easily grown and harvested, and therefore relatively inexpensive in comparison to other herbal supplements and remedies.
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