This member of the legume family of plants is a foraging crop for grazing animals and a highly nutritious green for people. Dried alfalfa leaves lend a fresh, mildly sweet flavor to teas and cooked foods.

Alfalfa is used more as a nutritive than a medicinal but it does have some mild medicinal properties. It can help lower blood sugar and serum cholesterol. It is rich in iron, B12, folate and vitamin C which support RBC production and help anemia.

Its high fiber levels support bowel movement and feed beneficial gut flora. Alfalfa’s deep roots bring up nutrients from deep in the soil and make it an excellent nutritive.

It’s high phytoestrogen levels can help with menopause symptoms. It also has some flavonoids that can help decrease inflammation. It’s also a mild diuretic and can help support kidney function.

Parts used: leaves, sprouts, seeds

Herbal Actions: alterative, aperient, diuretic, nutritive, oxytocic

Adult dosage: 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of tincture 2-3 times daily
or 1-2 rounded teaspoons of powder 2-3 times daily

Safety: Safe during lactation. Avoid high doses during pregnancy. High doses of alfalfa are contraindicated in pregnancy due to its phytoestrogens and its ability to stimulate uterine contractions.
The phytoestrogens may also aggravate existing hormone-sensitive conditions like breast cancer or endometriosis.
Don’t use it if taking blood thinners, anticoagulants, diabetes medications, diuretics or
immunosuppressive drugs.
Alfalfa has some mild immuno-stimulating effects that may aggravate symptoms of those suffering with autoimmune diseases.
The seeds can be toxic in high doses.