There are many health benefits that we can get from alfalfa. Since the 6th century, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has been used by the Chinese to treat kidney stones, gastrointestinal and bloating. Initially, the world of traditional Chinese medicine often uses Alfalfa leaf, to treat diseases related to the digestive tract. Then developed to help cleanse toxins in the blood or the so-called detoxification and treatment of joint inflammation. While in the treatment of India (Ayurveda) for the treatment of gastrointestinal illness. Alfalfa is also believed to be very beneficial in reducing the symptoms of arthritis.
Alfalfa is included in the legume family. This plant can grow up to one meter and has a small purple flowers. Alfalfa plants have very deep root systems to reach about 4.5 meters. Therefore, the plant is known drought resistant. Believed too, that the root system makes alfalfa can absorb minerals that are not commonly found on the surface of the soil. This makes this plant special so called alfalfa by the Arabs, which means father of plants.
Alfalfa is commonly consumed in the form of sprouts, stems, or dried leaf. Alfalfa food supplements are available in tablet, powder, or tea. In the United states and Australia, young fresh alfalfa leaves are mixed into a salad. In China has been used as an herbal remedy or as a soup mix.
Nutrition Fact Of Alfalfa
Alfalfa is known as one of the plants with high nutritional content. The content of calcium, chlorophyll, carotene, and vitamin K, which fairly high, making alfalfa as a supplement that is often used for human consumption.
Another advantage alfalfa is rich in vitamins and minerals fairly complete. Vitamins are contained in alfalfa are: vitamin A, thiamin (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid. Mineral seed, namely calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc.
Alfalfa leaf is a source of chlorophyll, four times higher than ordinary vegetables. There have been many scientific studies done on the efficacy of chlorophyll, such as cleaning the body, forming blood cells, regulating the body's acid-base balance, enhancing durability, as well as the replacement of damaged cells.
Health Benefits of Alfalfa
1. Control Blood Cholesterol
Alfalfa is useful to control blood cholesterol by removing bad cholesterol from the body. Alfalfa plant plays a very obvious role in preventing cholesterol levels from reaching all time highs, it indirectly also plays a role in the reduction of the risks of heart diseases.
2. Overcome Digestive problems
It’s effective in eliminating digestive problems that include nausea, stomach ulcers, gastritis and indigestion. This apart, alfalfa can also help improve your appetite.
If you suffer from digestive conditions such as diverticular disease or chronic constipation, alfalfa sprouts may help to ease some of your symptoms. A serving of alfalfa sprouts contains roughly one gram of fiber, which is three percent of an average adult's daily need. Try including alfalfa sprouts in your daily diet to improve your digestive regularity.
3. Remove toxins from the body
The alfalfa plant is known to possess detoxification properties. This only means that with regular consumption of the plant you will be able to rid your body of toxins that can do more harm than good.
4. Get rid of alcohol addiction
Facing a problem with an alcohol addiction or drug addiction? Are you looking forward to getting the better of your addiction? Then, the alfalfa plant is what you need. It is a known fact that the alfalfa plant can help persons suffering from an addiction to alcohol or drugs to cope with the same.
5. Reduce the symptoms of menopause
In women, the alfalfa plant has been known to help neutralize the signs and symptoms of menopause. This, in a way, makes it an indispensable source of medication to counter the signs and symptoms of menopause.
6. High in Vitamin K
The alfalfa plant contains vitamin K and helps a person who suffers from slow clotting blood.
7. To relieve asthma
From time immemorial, the alfalfa plant has been used to provide relief to people suffering from asthma and other such respiratory ailments. The chlorophyll present in the plant also helps wage effective wars against bad breadth.
8. Prevent Cancer
The alfalfa plant, as hard as it may seem to believe, can provide assistance in the prevention of the occurrence of cancer. This is mostly because of the presence of an amino acid called canavanine in the plant. The plant also has a proven ability to bind carcinogens within the colon.
9. Diuretic properties
The alfalfa plant is a diuretic and this helps it to assist in the prevention of kidney disorders and water retention. Alfalfa is also blessed with properties that help in the prevention of the occurrence of a ‘Urinary Tract Infection’ or UTI.
10. To treat Anemia
Alfalfa has been known to be extremely useful in the treatment of anemia.
Alfalfa Side Effect
But same with another herb, alfalfa also have negative side effect. Always check with your health care provider before taking any herbs or supplements. Here are the side effect of alfalfa
Can cause Autoimmune Side Effects
Long-term use of the seeds may cause a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms of this autoimmune disorder may include chronic inflammation in the joints causing pain and generalized fatigue. Notify your health care provider with any of these symptoms.
Make a sensitive skin
Large doses of alfalfa may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. This would leave a person vulnerable to sunburns and skin irritations. When taking alfalfa with certain medications, the risk of sensitive skin is even greater. A protein substance called canavanine found in alfalfa causes this skin condition. When spending time outside in the sunlight, proper sunblock should be worn. If skin problems develop, seek your health care provider.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid alfalfa
Using alfalfa in larger than food amounts is possibly unsafe during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There is some evidence that alfalfa may act like estrogen, and this might affect the pregnancy.
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