Description:  Alfalfa is a plant commonly cultivated by farmers around the world for use as an animal feedstock, alfalfa is also a member of the legume family, closely related to beans and peas. Called the "great healer" by legions of natural herbalists, the health benefits attributed to Alfalfa are broad.

Alfalfa is a perennial herb found on the edges of fields; widely cultivated by farmers for livestock feed.  It can grow to a height of 2-3 feet.  The erect, smooth stem grows from an elongated taproot. The flowers are blue to purple during the summer months. It produces a characteristic spirally coiled seed pods.

It is highly nutritious, and highly valuable as food. The plant is so rich in Calcium that the ashes of its leaves are almost 99% pure Calcium.

Main constituents:  Up to 50% protein; beta carotene; chlorophyll; octacosanol.

Other ingredients are: saponins, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, acids, vitamins (A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid), amino acids, sugars, minerals (Ca, K, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu), trace elements and other nutrients.

In the Foliage:
Carotinoids : lutein
Triterpene saponins : sojasapogenol A-E aglycones medicagenic acid, hederagenin
Isoflavonoids : formononetin glycosides, genistein, daidzein, biochanin A, coumestrol,
Coumarins : coumestrol, 3'-methoxy coumestrol, lucernol, sativol, trifol, medicagol
Triterpenes : sigmasterol, spinasterol
Cyanogenic glycosides

Seeds:
L-canavaine
Betaine : stachydrine, homostacydrine
Trigonelline
Fatty oil

Properties:   Appetizer, Diuretic, Tonic, Antipyretic, Hemostatic, Mineral Source, Vitamin Source.

Uses:  Internally:  May reduce cholesterol

May help prevent internal bleeding; strengthens vein walls; reduces varicose veins

Whole body tonic 

Helps prevent heart disease

Helps prevent some strokes

Studies done at University of California at Davis found that alfalfa extracts with a lot of manganese definitely improved the condition of a diabetic who failed to respond to insulin.

Clinical nutritionists have clearly demonstrated that alfalfa meal helped monkeys, who was fed food rich in cholesterol, from getting atherosclerosis. It was also found to reduce the serum cholesterol levels.

Alfalfa had been used traditionally for treating infections resulting from surgical incisions, bed sores and inner ear problems.

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Safety Considerations:  Avoid during pregnancy and nursing.

People with Lupus and hormone sensitive cancer should avoid use.

Due to the high content of purines, alfalfa should be avoided in patients with gout.

Increases rate of metabolism of xenobiotics in the liver.

May reduce the effect of warfarin.

Because of its estrogenic activity, high levels of alfalfa may interfere with contraceptives and hormonal therapy.

Use in moderation.

Magical:

Folk Names:  Lucerne, Purple Medic, Jat, Qadb

Gender:  Feminine

Planet:  Venus

Powers:  Prosperity, Anti-Hunger, Money

Uses:  Keep in the home to protect from poverty and hunger. It is best placed in a small jar in the cupboard or pantry. Also, burn Alfalfa and scatter the ashes around the property for this purpose.

Use in money spells & while calling upon the Dagda or Midhir for Prosperity. Dagda, with his cauldron of plenty, can be called to protect against hunger.  Midhir had many riches.

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