Alfalfa -
Lucerne
 Botanical: Medicago sativa
Family: N.O. Papilionaceae
---Synonyms---Purple
Medicle. Cultivated Lucern.
---Part Used---Whole herb in flower.
---Habitat---Originally Medea, then old Spain, Italy, France;
and cultivated in Persia and Peru.
The American Botanical Council provided articles
from the scientific literature that stated as follows: Alfalfa has
been shown to increase excretion of neutral steroids and bile
acids in fecal matter;”
and is used in traditional medicine “to increase vitality,
appetite, and weight in humans; also as a diuretic,
galactogogue,
and to increase peristaltic action of the stomach and bowels.
Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. in his book,
The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine (Keats, 1986), reports: “Alfalfa’s effect is
probably due to its extremely high nutritive value . . .it
generally helps to improve overall health, vigor and vitality. . .
Alfalfa is one of the most nutritious foods known. . . Alfalfa is
an appetite stimulant and vitality augmenter . . . As a spring
tonic, Alfalfa has no equal.” Similar, but more extensive
support, can be found in the same author’s Herbal Tonic
Therapies.
Feather Jones, a
clinical herbalist, in her book,
Medicinal Herb Handbook
reinforces the high nutrient content of Alfalfa; “This nutritive
herb has a high mineral content that is easily digestible,
particularly Calcium, Vitamin K, and Folic Acid; stimulates
lactation while increasing the quality of breast milk.
A prominent herbalist, Joanne Snow, concluded that
Alfalfa’s actions were “tonic and
diuretic”. She reported, “In
traditional medicine the dried leaves are used as a source of
vitamins and minerals”. Used to stimulate appetite, increase
peristaltic action of the stomach and bowels, and as a general
tonic.”
A prominent herbalist, David Litell, reported that Alfalfa is
highly nutrient dense, and rich in important minerals, so that it
sustains bodily systems that are dependent on vitamins and
minerals.
FDA did not object to
a claim that Alfalfa was useful in providing “enzymatic action.”
Alfalfa has been declared GRAS (generally recognized as safe) by
FDA.
More Scientific
References on Alfalfa (
Medicago sativa)
-
Tonic,
appetite stimulant, bile acid, fiber, nutritive, protein,
vitality, vitamin K.
Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. Tonic Herbs.
-
Nutritious
food, appetite stimulant, vitality augmented, kidney, liver
supporter, digestive, prostatic, reproductive, musculo-skeletal,
glandular.
Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. Herbal Tonic Therapy.
-
Nutrient,
source of vitamin A, C, E and K, minerals, salt-calcium,
potassium, phosphorus and iron.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983.
-
Alfalfa leaves
have traditionally been used as a nutritive tonic to stimulate
appetite and promote weight gain. The plant is haemostatic,
nutritive, stimulant and tonic. Rich in vitamin K. It is a
source of chlorophyll and carotene, both of which have health
benefits. It also contains anti-oxidant tricin.
Foster. S. & Duke. JA a Field Guide to Medicinal plants. Eastern
and Central N. America. - Houghton Mifflin Co.
1990. - Harris, B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot health 1973. - Mills.
S.Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. - Duke. J. A. and
Ayensu, E.S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publication,
Inc. 1985.
-
The alfalfa
plant is considered a nutritional supplement. Its leaves,
growing in groups of three, are thought to nourish the body by
stimulating the appetite, acting as a
diuretic, and providing
such nutrients as fiber, protein, calcium, and vitamin A.
IVI Publishing Inc, On Health.
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