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Alfalfa is one of the members of the legume family. This medicinal plant comes from Central Asia. It is also known under the names of lechuha, dawn and honeydew.
The beneficial properties of this herb have been known to mankind for a long time. As historical chronicles testify, back in 470 BC, during the war between the Persians and the Greeks, a certain plant endowed with a wide range of healing properties was brought to Greece from the Persian province of Media. According to the description, alfalfa is guessed in it.
Researchers have not come to a unanimous opinion about when a person learned to cultivate alfalfa. According to one version, for the first time this plant was “cultivated” in the third millennium BC. Nevertheless, most experts are inclined to the point of view that the cultivation of alfalfa was first started in the territory of modern Central Asia and the Caucasus about five thousand years ago. However, in Europe and the United States, this plant gained popularity only at the beginning of the twentieth century. Moreover, we can assume that it is alfalfa that stands at the foundations of network marketing as a phenomenon.
Historical information
Recognition for alfalfa came thanks to the American Carl Rehnborg. Between 1915 and 1927 he worked as a sales representative in China. By occupation, the young man had to travel a lot throughout the country. He actively studied local traditions and customs. Particular attention of the American was attracted by the difference in the diet of the rural and urban population. Rehnborg noticed that the inhabitants of China’s rural areas, which are actually “cut off from civilization”, are more active and cheerful than the inhabitants of big cities. Moreover, they retained clarity of mind and health until their advanced years.
After analyzing the information at his disposal, Rehnborg came to the conclusion that the whole thing is in the diet of the Chinese. So, the inhabitants of the cities practically did not use the plant, very popular among the peasants – alfalfa. In the villages, she enjoyed incredible popularity and even won the honorary title of “the basis of all blessings.”
After studying the chemical composition of alfalfa, Rehnborg returned to the United States and created the world’s first dietary supplement. It was a vegetable concentrate based on alfalfa, parsley, watercress and yeast starter.
Further there was a curiosity. Rehnborg began generously distributing his invention to acquaintances, inviting them to immediately try it out. However, they refused his offerings, fearing to take a strange drug. Then an insight descended on Renborg – he realized that in order for his invention to be in demand, it must be sold, not donated. In 1934, he founded his own company, California Vitamins, which was renamed Nutrilite Products in 1939. Rehnborg also proposed a fundamentally new scheme for selling goods: now his friends could recommend the company’s products to their friends, and Rehnborg paid those who bring new customers to the firm. In 1947, the future founders of Amway, Rich De Vos and Jay Van Andel, began working for Nutrilite Products. In 1972, Amway and Nutrilite merged to form Nutrilite Amway, which established itself as the world’s first organic brand. And it’s all thanks to alfalfa!
General characteristics
Alfalfa is a plant with an upright stem that can reach up to 120 centimeters in height. The plant can be either one or perennial. Alfalfa boasts a powerful root system, moreover, the root can penetrate the soil to a depth of ten meters.
The leaves of alfalfa are trifoliate, the middle one is slightly larger than the lateral ones. The color scheme of the inflorescences varies – they can be all shades of blue, blue and purple, as well as yellow or white. The fruits of alfalfa are brownish-brown beans.
The list of alfalfa species includes more than a hundred items. At the same time, only three of them are most widely used: sowing, hop-shaped and sickle-shaped.
Alfalfa, also called blue, is distinguished by white or blue inflorescences. Also, its distinctive characteristic is the stem and leaves covered with light fluff. The fruits of this species are twisted, reminiscent of the shape of a snail shell. The plant usually reaches a height of about eighty centimeters.
Crescent alfalfa is also known as yellow alfalfa. Its height is up to one meter. Distinctive feature – yellow flowers. The pods of this plant are curved, resembling a sickle in shape.
Alfalfa hop-like is an annual plant that reaches half a meter in height. Inflorescences are pale yellow.
How to grow
Alfalfa is a plant that can be grown both in a garden, in a garden, or without soil at all, depending on what purposes you plan to use it for.
So, in the event that the plant is used as hay for feeding animals, then it will be necessary to allocate a separate territory to alfalfa in the summer cottage.
If you need alfalfa for medicinal purposes or for gastronomic needs, you can germinate sprouts from grass seeds using a regular container of water. Provided that the seeds are washed periodically, at least twice a day, and the water is changed regularly, the first shoots will appear in seven days. The main thing is not to forget that the sprouts will need to be thoroughly washed before use.
Chemical composition and calorific value
The energy value of germinated alfalfa seeds is 23 kcal per 100 g of the product. The nutritional composition is as follows: 3,99 g of protein, 0,69 g of fat and 2,1 g of carbohydrates.
If we talk about the chemical composition of alfalfa, it includes fatty acids, essential oils, pectins, chlorophyll, plant steroids, nicotinic and pantothenic acid, carotene, and enzymes.
Vitamin A (0,01 mg) has antiviral and bactericidal properties, can increase the overall resistance of the body. It is also a powerful antioxidant and plays the “first violin” in a number of redox processes. In addition, it is necessary for the beauty of hair and skin.
Vitamin B1 (0,13 mg) helps maintain the organs of the digestive system in a healthy state, helps to stabilize the emotional background, normalizes appetite, and stimulates cognitive activity. This substance is necessary for the health of the heart muscle.
Vitamin B2 (0,48 mg) is involved in the normalization of the blood formula. He also takes part in energy metabolism and helps to “disperse” metabolism. This substance helps to maintain healthy mucous membranes of the oral cavity, and also increases the regenerative properties of cells. Vitamin is also necessary for the stabilization of the nervous system: it helps with increased anxiety and panic attacks.
Vitamin PP (0,08 mg) has a beneficial effect on blood microcirculation, takes part in the synthesis of enzymes and hormones, and is necessary for proper absorption of vegetable protein that enters the body with food. It also helps to reduce levels of “bad” blood cholesterol.
Vitamin C (8,2 mg) is critically needed by the body during the “cold season”. It effectively increases the overall tone and ability to resist bacteria and viruses, improves the condition of the gallbladder, takes part in the synthesis of collagen, which is responsible for the state of bone and cartilage tissue. It also helps detoxify the body.
Sodium (6 mg) helps to establish water-salt metabolism, takes part in the synthesis of gastric juice. It is also able to dilate blood vessels, preventing their spasm, and normalizes blood pressure.
Potassium (79 mg) promotes cognitive activity, improves the supply of oxygen to the brain. It also has antihistamine properties, easing the condition with allergies. In addition, it promotes the removal of excess fluid from the body, helping to prevent the occurrence of edema.
Calcium (32 mg) is responsible for the condition of bone and dental tissue. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, is involved in the synthesis of a number of hormones and enzymes.
Magnesium (27 mg) helps prevent kidney and gallbladder stones. It is also necessary for the endocrine system to function smoothly, is responsible for the condition of teeth and bones along with calcium.
Phosphorus (70 mg) is involved in energy metabolism, is necessary during periods of intellectual and emotional overload.
Iron (0,96 mg) contributes to the formation of hemoglobin in the blood, it is necessary for the body to absorb vitamin B, increases the overall resistance of the body, and removes it from a state of chronic fatigue.
All of the above substances endowed alfalfa with a wide range of medicinal properties. At the same time, in folk medicine, it is used as the main ingredient in recipes designed to cope with a very impressive list of diseases.
Medicinal properties
The healing properties of alfalfa have long been “adopted” by folk healers from different countries. So, the Indians used the herb to treat jaundice. The Indians used the herb as a remedy for sore joints. The Chinese consider lechukha as the main remedy for fighting diseases of the digestive system. In Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, due to the hormonal components present in the chemical composition of the herb, it is used to combat endocrine diseases.
Alfalfa is really useful for almost all organs and systems of the body. No wonder the biologist Frank Bowwer in his works calls this plant “the great healer.”
The composition of this plant includes chlorophyll, the molecular formula of which is similar to the formula of hemoglobin. In addition to the fact that chlorophyll helps maintain the blood formula, it is also able to bind toxins, helping to cleanse the body.
The isoflavones that are part of alfalfa are phytoestrogens that can alleviate the condition of women experiencing menopause.
The diuretic and mild laxative properties of alfalfa help to remove excess fluid from the body, preventing the occurrence of edema and the development of gout.
Alfalfa is an effective remedy for reducing the presence of uric acid in the body. It is able to be deposited in the joints in the form of salts, which is fraught with inflammation and pain in the joints. Therefore, this plant can be considered as a means for the prevention of arthritis.
Saponins contained in alfalfa have anticoagulant properties, preventing the occurrence of blood clots, and also reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Alfalfa is able to improve digestion, it promotes the breakdown and absorption of fats. Young shoots of alfalfa will help those who suffer from flatulence and heartburn, prevent the development of putrefactive processes in the intestines.
Freshly squeezed alfalfa juice is a remedy that improves the tone of the body, stimulates the immune system, and is used to prevent heart disease.
Vitamin U is present in the chemical composition of the herb, which has the ability to heal the gastric mucosa in gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Cooking application
Arabs have long called alfalfa “the mother of all food.” At the same time, in Europe for a long time this crop was considered exclusively fodder. It was given to horses, believing that it increases their endurance.
In cooking, alfalfa was first used to decorate dishes that were served on the festive table. So, in Victorian England, bright alfalfa flowers were used to decorate salads and snacks.
Only over time, the plant became a full-fledged component of the diet. From fresh sprouts, they began to prepare a salad, add them to the soup. Also, fresh juice is prepared from young shoots of honeydew.
Alfalfa tops are dried and then used to prepare medicinal infusions and decoctions. The seeds are used to make flour, which is used in baking bread and biscuits. In the Balkans, alfalfa inflorescences are cooked in batter like cauliflower.
Please note that before using alfalfa for salad preparation, it must be soaked for a quarter of an hour in a liter of boiled water with the addition of a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This will help remove the bitter taste characteristic of the lechuhe.
Preparing a green smoothie to boost immunity
In summer, you can treat yourself to a delicious and healthy alfalfa-based cocktail. It will not only perfectly quench your thirst, but will also become a real vitamin “bomb”.
To prepare it, you will need fresh honeydew herb, nettle leaves, green onions, sorrel, parsley, celery and broccoli. All ingredients should be chopped, and then sent to a blender. Beat until the mass becomes homogeneous. After that, dilute with cool water, add honey to taste and consume 50-100 g each.
Cooking alfalfa casserole
To prepare this dish you will need: 700 g of young shoots of alfalfa, 125 g of wheat flour, 100 g of butter, 300 ml of milk, 50 g of spicy cheese, 50 g of rice, a couple of eggs, salt and pepper to taste.
Rinse the alfalfa shoots thoroughly and boil in salted water for a quarter of an hour. After that, throw them in a colander, rinse with cold water, let drain, and then finely chop.
Boil rice in salted water and rinse.
Heat the butter in a separate saucepan and sauté the flour. Add alfalfa and rice there. Saute for five minutes, stirring constantly, then pour in warm milk.
Salt, pepper. Grease a saucepan with oil and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Put the blank for the casserole there, pour over the beaten eggs, sprinkle with grated cheese and bake in the oven until cooked.
Cooking Alfalfa Soup
To prepare this dish, you will need: one and a half cups of chopped alfalfa, one carrot, one egg, half a glass of flour, two tablespoons of butter, one and a half liters of water, salt to taste and dill.
Bring water to a boil, boil pre-cut carrots in it. Knead the dough by mixing flour and egg. Use a damp spoon to tear off pieces of dough and dip them into boiling water. After the dumplings float to the top, add alfalfa to the soup. Boil for another five minutes, season with oil. Sprinkle with chopped dill before serving.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Folk healers know many recipes, the main ingredient of which is alfalfa.
For diseases of the cardiovascular system
It is necessary to prepare an infusion of six tablespoons of dry raw materials and 500 liters of water. After six hours, filter and drink one-fourth glass before breakfast, lunch and dinner. The duration of the course is one month.
For the treatment of diabetes
Pour two teaspoons of dry honeydew herb with a glass of boiling water, then keep in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. After the broth is warm for an hour, filter and drink during the day.
With neuroses
In 300 ml of water, pour 2 tablespoons of dry herb sickle honeydew. Boil for ten minutes, then pour into a thermos and let it brew for three hours. Then the broth must be filtered and drunk three times a day, 100 ml each.
With pain in the joints
Pour 5 tablespoons of dry raw materials with 500 ml of vodka. The remedy must be infused for fourteen days. After that, it should be taken twice a day, thirty minutes before meals, ten drops of tincture in 50 ml of water.
To increase lactation
Nursing mothers, in order to improve lactation, should add a quarter teaspoon of dry honeydew herb to regular black tea. The duration of the course is five days.
For bruises and insect bites
Mix the crushed lettuce seeds with water to make a paste. Apply it on the affected area. Soon the pain will subside, and the swelling will go down.
For losing weight
A decoction prepared from 200 g of young shoots filled with two glasses of boiling water will help to significantly reduce appetite. Take the infusion should be a quarter of an hour before a meal.
Used in cosmetics
Alfalfa is a plant that has found wide application in cosmetology. Manufacturers of skin and hair care products have appreciated the chemical composition of honeydew.
First of all, alfalfa is very rich in phytonutrients: vitamins, proteins, minerals and chlorophyll. All these substances have proven to be very effective components of cosmetics. So, for example, arginine, tryptophan and theronine help protect the skin from the adverse effects of external factors, promotes the speedy healing of small wounds.
Phytoestrogens saponins are antioxidants that are highly active and slow down the aging process of the skin.
Alfalfa is often referred to as “a natural bioactivator of collagen synthesis”. So far, researchers have not been able to confirm that the substances contained in this plant actually stimulate the production of this crucial protein. Nevertheless, the theory that alfalfa stimulates the regeneration of connective tissue, and also has an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effect, has been confirmed. These properties allow the use of alfalfa extract as an emollient, which accelerates the metabolism in the epidermis and promotes the speedy healing of tissues in case of damage.
Also, alfalfa can be used as a means of stimulating hair growth and strengthening their structure.
This plant is also used as an auxiliary ingredient in foaming cosmetics due to the fact that saponins are natural foaming agents. In addition, alfalfa extract can act as a thickener and colorant.
Thus, the main properties of alfalfa as an ingredient in cosmetics are:
- The ability to protect the skin from the influence of adverse external factors.
- Softening and moisturizing skin suffering from dehydration.
- Effective fight against various inflammations, rashes, irritation, rapid healing of wounds, prevention of peeling.
- Delicate and effective cleansing due to antiseptic properties.
- Stimulation of hair growth, restoration of their structure, fight against dandruff.
At the same time, the use of cosmetics containing alfalfa is not recommended for owners of very fair skin. The thing is that the substances contained in the extract of this plant can provoke the so-called photosensitivity, which can manifest itself as unaesthetic spots on the skin under the influence of sunlight.
In commercial cosmetics, alfalfa extract is commonly found in tonics, lotions, and other cleansing products. It can also be added to the composition of therapeutic creams for the skin of the face. Alfalfa extract is widely used by Lancôme – it is present in the brand’s nourishing masks and intensive serums.
Alfalfa can also be used as an ingredient in homemade face masks. So, a rejuvenating mask has proven itself well, which can be made by mixing a tablespoon of dry alfalfa grass, crushed to a state of powder, a little boiling water and the same amount of honey. The resulting mixture should have the consistency of a thick slurry. After mixing thoroughly, apply to the skin of the face, avoiding the area around the lips and eyes. Wash off with cool water after a quarter of an hour. This procedure should be repeated twice a week. As a result, skin tone will increase, wrinkles will become less noticeable, swelling will go away.
Owners of aging skin are recommended to wash with a decoction of alfalfa – with regular use of this cosmetic product, fine wrinkles disappear, the skin becomes silky and elastic. You can also make cosmetic ice from a decoction of alfalfa.
To improve the health of your hair and improve its structure, after washing your hair, try rinsing your curls with alfalfa infusion. After several procedures, hair loss will become less intense, the curls will become shiny, take on a well-groomed appearance.
Harm and contraindications
Like any plant, alfalfa can provoke an individual intolerance reaction, so people prone to allergies should be careful when using honeydew in any form.
Contraindications to the use of alfalfa are also any autoimmune diseases, problems with the gallbladder and pancreatitis. Alfalfa seed oil should be excluded from the diet of women in an “interesting” position, nursing mothers, as well as children who have not yet reached the age of twelve.
In addition, gastroenterologists recommend that before you start using alfalfa for treatment, drink a course of preparations containing bifidobacteria. So the stomach will be easier to cope with the high fiber content in honeydew, as a result of which it will be possible to avoid flatulence and upset stools.
How to harvest alfalfa
In order for honeydew herb to retain all its beneficial properties, it is harvested during the flowering period. Cut the shoots with a sharp knife. At the same time, in order for the plant not to die, at least half of the bush must remain intact.
Dry alfalfa in a place protected from light with good air circulation. It is best to form small bunches of grass and hang them up so that the grass dries evenly. Store dry raw materials in linen bags, in a cool place protected from sunlight. Dry alfalfa retains its healing properties throughout the year.