Basic Herb Garden – Herbs – Herbs Tips and Herb Benefits

Alfalfa Herb and its Benefits

About Alfalfa Herb

Alfalfa herb is well known plant in desert areas. Its name originates from the Arabic (al-fac-facah). In Arabic it means father of all food. The plant is also known under different names such as Medicago sativa, holy-hay, lucerne, and trefoil.

The Alfalfa plant is rich in certain vitamins. The vitamins found in herb are “C”, “E”, and vitamin “K”. The eatable part of plants are stem, seed, sprouts,  the herb is used as source of food and also used in tea. It is available in local grocery stores close to areas where it gets cultivated. People eat Alfalfa sprouts as part of salad and part of vegetable dishes. Another use of herb is as medicinal herb. Its leaves, sprouts after processing are stuffed in capsules. The capsules are sold at herbal drug stores.

The dry leaves of Alfalfa herbs are used for making tea. Typically one or two spoons of herbs are mixed in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. Regardless of how you are taking Alfalfa, either in the form of tea or in the form of medicinal capsules, read labels on tea packet and on capsule packet for directions. As in the case of all herbs, always take advice from your doctor to see it is safe for you to take herbs.

The known benefits of Alfalfa herbs are high is vitamin K, which helps in forming the clot thus trapping red cells. It also works well with other vitamins notably vitamin D in strengthening bones. The herb is also used as homeopathic medicine for breastfeeding mothers to stimulate milk production.

The known side effects of Alfalfa herb are its interaction with certain medical conditions. Those patients under kidney transplant taking anti rejection drugs should avoid taking herb. In case of any medical condition please check with doctor before taking this herb.

Alfalfa Herb Facts

The Alfalfa herb is found in desert.
The Alfalfa plant is eatable.
The name of Alfalfa herb came from Arabia.
The Alfalfa herb is good source of vitamin C, E and K.
The dry leaves of Alfalfa herb are used in tea.
Avoid use of herb in certain medical condition.
Always read labels on tea packets and capsule boxes.
Take advice from Doctor before using herbs.