|
|
| Magickal |  |
Culinary | |
Identification and Cultivation |
| Alfalfa |
| Medicago sativa |
| Family: |
| Other Names: | Buffalo Grass, Buffalo Herb, Chilean Clover, Father of All Foods, Lucerne, Purple Medic |
| Parts Used: | Flowers, Leaves, Seeds, Sprouts, Tops |
| Systems: | Blood, Stomach |
| Actions: | Abortifacient (seeds), ALTERATIVE, Antianemic, Anti-fungal, Antipyretic, Appetizer, Diuretic, Emmenagogue (seeds), Estrogenic (?), Nutrient, NUTRITIVE, Styptic, Tonic (general, nutritive, restorative, Spring, Yin) |
| Energy and Taste: | Neutral to Cool; Sweet |
| Uses: | Internal: | Acidity (neutralizes and makes alkaline), Alterative, Appetite (improves), Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, Bloating, Bowel problems, Calcium deficiency, Chloresterol (high), Diabetes (with addition of high amounts of manganese), Fevers, Heart disease (prevents), Indigestion, Kidney problems, Peptic ulcers, Preventative (heart disease, strokes), Rheumatism, Strokes (prevents), Ulcers (general, peptic), Urinary Problems, Weight (gain, loss) |
| External: | Infections, Ulcers (general, infected) | |
| Leaves and flowers: | Arthritis, Blood (thins), Gout, Spring Tonic | |
| Seeds: | Emmenagogue, Hangover, Stomachache | |
| Beverage: | Juice or tea. | |
| Contains: | Betacarotene, Bioflavinoids, Calcium, Carotene, Chlorine, Chlorophyll, Copper, Enzymes (aiding digestion), Folic acid, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin, Phosphorous, Potassium, Protein, Silicon, Sodium, Zinc, Vit.s A, B1, B6, B8, B12, C, D, E, K1, P, and U. Anti-oxidant: Tricin. | |
| Fodder: | Chickens, Cows, Horses, Ostriches, Turkeys |
Abortifacient (seeds), Acidity (neutralizes.. makes alkaline), Acidosis, Alcoholism, Allergies, ALTERATIVE, Antianemic, Anti-fungal, Antipyretic, Appetite (improves), Arteries (hardening of), Arthritis, Asthma, Atherosclerosis, Backache (lower), Bloating, Blood (thins), Boils, Bowels (problems, regulates), Breath (bad), Calcium deficiency, Cancer (prevent), Chloresterol (high), Cystitis (acute, chronic), Debility, Detoxification, Diabetes (with addition of high amounts of manganese), Digestion (aids, improves, problems (acute, chronic), tonic, weakness), Diuretic, Emmenagogue (seeds), Estrogenic (?), Fevers, Gout, Hangover, Heart disease (prevents), Hormone (balancing (estrogen)), Illness, Indigestion, Infections, Inflammation (acute, chronic), Insomnia, Kidney problems, Lactation (increases quality and quantity), Malnutition, Nutrient, NUTRITIVE, Peptic ulcers, Preventative (heart disease, strokes), Prostatitis, Rheumatism, Scurvy, Stomachache, Strokes (prevents), Styptic, Tonic (general, nutritive, restorative, Spring, Yin), Ulcers (general, infected, peptic), Urinary problems, Urine (burning), Wasting, Weight (gain, loss) |
| Warning: | Consumption of large doses of Alfalfa's
saponins* may cause red blood cells to break down and
thus cause bloating (and weight gain and possibly anemia)
in livestock and humans. Alfalfa sprouts and especially
seeds (but not leaves) contain canavanine which may cause
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) and/or cause dormant
Lupus to reactivate. Alfalfa seeds can cause miscarriages in pregnant women as they are abortifacients. WARNING! Abortions of any kind can be hazardous to your health! Please consult the guidance of a qualified practitioner (doctor, midwife, etc..) if you seek an abortion! Alfalfa can cause upset stomach and diarrhea. If you are expereincing either of these, stop using it, or use less. This herb is safe for most healthy, non-nursing, non-pregnant adults without lupus and/or anemia. |
| *Most plants contain saponins, but there seems to be a higher concentration in alfalfa than in most others. Interestingly enough, it's also reported to be the saponins in alfalfa that help reduce chloesterol. | |
 This herb deemed pet safe when fed in moderate amounts to non-pregnant, non-nursing animals. |
| Notes: | Discovered by the Arabs and has been called the "Father of all foods". |
| Aids in the body's assimilation of food (calcium, carbohydrates, fats, iron, and protein) | |
| Watching a field of uncut Alfalfa can help relieve depression. (Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Herbs and Spices) | |
 |
| BIBLIOGRAPHY |
| Buchman, Dian Dincin, Ph.D., Herbal Medicine: The Natural Way to Get Well and Stay Well, New York, NY: Wings Books, 1996. |
| Castleman, Michael, The Healing Powers of Herbs: The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature's Medicines, New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1995. |
| Foster, Steven & Duke, James A., A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants: Eastern and Central North America, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1990. |
| Heinerman, John, Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs & Spices, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1996. |
| Hutchens, Alma R., Indian Herbology of North America, Boston, MA: Shambhala, 1991. |
| Jones, Feather, Medicinal Herb Handbook, Boulder, CO: Six Directions Publishing Cooperative, 1994. |
| Lucas, Richard, Nature's Medicines: The Folklore, Romance & Value of Hebal Remedies, No. Hollywood, CA: Wilshire Book Co., 1976. |
| Lust, John, The Herb Book, New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1974. |
| Moore, Michael, Los Remedios: Traditional Herbal Remedies of the Southwest, Santa Fe, NM: Red Crane Books, 1990. |
| Potts, Billie, Witches Heal, Ann Arbor, MI: DuRêve Publications, 1988. |
| Santillo, Humbart, BS, MH, Natural Healing with Herbs, Prescott, Arizona: Hohm Press, 1991. |
| Stansbury, Jill, N.D., Herbs for Health & Healing, Lincolnwood, Illinois: Publications International, Ltd., 1997. |
| Tierra, Michael, C.A., N.D., The Way of Herbs, New York, NY: Pocket Books, 1990. |
 |
Herb List |
|
Herb List: Common names |
|
Herb List: Scientific names |
|
Herb List: Family names |
|
Glossary of Terms |
|
Actions List |
|
Herbal Preparations |
|
Book List |
|
Herb Home Page |
 |
| Copyright 1999. By WhiteFox. |
