Alfalfa

Common Name: Alfalfa

Botan ical Name: Medicago sativa

Lucerne / Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Description.

A Hardy perennial with a deep taproot which grows up to 1 m high. Leaves are oval and grouped in 3s. Blue to purple flowers are produced on long spikes and these are followed by a hairy pea like pod.

Growing Lucerne

grow in sun in rich loamy soil

Propogation of Lucerne

Lucerne is very easily sprouted from seed placed into a bowl with water or on an absorbent cloth or paper sheet. Sprouts produced like this can be used within a week of planting.

Preserving Lucerne

Alfalfa seeds will sprout at any time of the year so readily and are available to use as sprouts within a few days that it is not worth preserving alfalfa for long periods of time. Fresh sprouts and harvested leaves and flowers can be kept in a plastic bag in the refrigerator

Using Lucerne in the Garden

Lucerne is very frequently used as a fodder crop for cattle where it is said to improve the milk quantity and for horses where it is said to improve their stamina.. Use caution in the quantities fed as in excess it can cause bloat.

I the garden Lucern is a nitrogen fixer and can be used as a mulch or dug into the soil as a green compost especially good to promote the green growth in leafy plants.

Culinary Uses of Lucerne

Do Not Eat Lucerne seeds as they contain toxic amino acids which if ingested regularly over a period of time can affect the blood functioning.

Use in salads or as a fresh green in sandwiches and rolls together with other salads and meat or cheese.

Medicinal Uses of Lucerne

Important! Do not use of herbs for medicinal purposes without consulting your medical doctor. Herbs have medicinal qualities and can react with other medication.

Do Not Eat Lucerne seeds as they contain toxic amino acids which if ingested regularly over a period of time can affect the blood functioning.

Use leaves and flowers as a tea or eat fresh leaves.

For the tea use 2 teaspoons of alfalfa to 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 15 min. May be sweetened with a little honey. Drink up to 3 cups per day. This is especially effective for reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.

Usually used as sprouts when the vitamin and mineral content is especially high, particularly vitamin C.

Lucerne is a particularly good Diuretic and will assist in relieving urinary tract infection and especially in water retention problems. It can also be used to cleanse the liver, detoxify the blood, treat ulcers and relieve rheumatism and arthritis.

It relieves anemia and reduces effects of sciatica.

Alfalfa also aids in eliminating carcinogens from the body.

Alfalfa will reduce the blood cholesterol levels and clean the arteries. The mature plant is more effective than the sprouts for this use.

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