Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) Herbal Medicine
Alfalfa Health Benefits, Dosage, Side effects and Warnings.
Scientific Name: Medicago Sativa
Other names:
Alfalfa, Lucrene grass, Chilean clover, Buffalo grass.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a deep-rooted leguminous perennial plant in the pea family Fabaceae. Alfalfa is widely cultivated as a forage crop in US, Canada, Argentina, France, and Southwestern Asia.
Alfalfa plant is chiefly hay with woody and upright stems that is high in fiber. Alfalfa stems can grow from its crown up to 3 feet in height and shoots of stems grows rapidly. Alfalfa is grown as a crop because of its productivity. The crop can be harvested up to four times in one season. Alfalfa leaves are known to be rich in vitamins and minerals. Alfalfa leaves, which are alternate consist of three leaflets like those of a Red Clover. Occasional four or five leaves grows from the stems but not so common. The leaflets are rather narrow and sharply toothed in their upper part.
Alfalfa flowers are purple about as small as a bean in size occurring individually. Other variety would bloom flowers that are from white and light yellow.
Alfalfa is rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Alfalfa contains vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Alfalfa also contains protein calcium, carotene, iron, potassium and zinc.