What exactly is alfalfa?

What exactly is alfalfa?

Alfalfa, also known as lucerne or Medicago sativa, is a plant that has been grown as feed for livestock for hundreds of years. Alfalfa is a part of the legume family, but it’s also considered an herb. It seems to have originally come from South and Central Asia, but it has been grown around the world for centuries.

What is alfalfa taken for?

Alfalfa is an herbal supplement which can be used as treatment for asthma, arthritis, diabetes, excessive production of urine (diuresis), high cholesterol, indigestion, and excessive bruising or bleeding (thrombocytopenic purpura).

Is alfalfa the same as hay?

There are quite a few different types of hay that people feed to horses, but hay generally falls into one of two categories – legumes and grasses. Alfalfa hay, sometimes called lucerne hay, is the most popular legume hay fed to horses in the U.S., while timothy and orchard are popular grass hay choices.

Why do farmers grow alfalfa?

Alfalfa is widely grown throughout the world as forage for cattle, and is most often harvested as hay, but can also be made into silage, grazed, or fed as greenchop. Alfalfa usually has the highest feeding value of all common hay crops. Alfalfa hay is a widely used protein and fiber source for meat rabbits.

Can you eat alfalfa seeds raw?

Two of the most popular picks are alfalfa and mung bean sprouts. They’re usually enjoyed raw and occasionally lightly cooked.

Can you put alfalfa sprouts in soup?

Add alfalfa sprouts to soups and stews. Wait until the soup has finished cooking, then mix in the alfalfa sprouts. The heat of the water will slightly cook the sprouts without completely eliminating their crunchy texture.

What can you do with alfalfa?

Alfalfa is an herb. People use the leaves, sprouts, and seeds to make medicine. Alfalfa is used for kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, and to increase urine flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, asthma, osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, upset stomach, and a bleeding disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura.

What nutrients does alfalfa have?

The extensive root system allows the plant to absorb a high level of nutrients from the soil. Alfalfa leaf contains essential vitamins including the entire spectrum of B-vitamins, A, D, E and K. Alfalfa Leaf is a source of iron, niacin, biotin, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium.

Can humans eat alfalfa?

Yes, humans can eat Alfalfa. Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) is native to Asia and did not reach North America until around 1850 or 1860. This deep-growing plant is seen from Maine to Virginia and westward to the Pacific coast in the United States.

What are the parts of alfalfa?

The medicinal parts of alfalfa are the whole plant and the seeds . It is used both in Western and traditional Chinese medicine . In Chinese it is called zi mu. Other names for alfalfa include buffalo grass, buffalo herb, Chilean clover, purple medick, purple medicle, and lucerne.