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Lucerne | | Name : | Lucerne | | Botanical : | Medicago sativa | | Synonyms : | Buffalo herb
Lucerne
Mu-su
Purple medic
| | Family : | Papilionaceae | | Parts Used : | Flowering plant, leaves petals, flowers and sprouts. | | Habitat : | Fields, roadsides. Throughout the United States. Often cultivated as a crop. Native to Asia. | | Description : | A deep-rooting perennial plant with nurnerous small clover-like spikes of blue or violet flowers of upright growth. Its herbage is green, succulent, and being an early crop is in a sense of some value as an agricultural plant. It yields two rather abundant green crops in the year - of a quality greatly relished by horses and cattle - it fattens them quickly and was much esteemed for increasing the milk of cows. One of the objections to growing it as a crop is the three to four years required before it attains full growth. When this plant is found in Britain growing wild it is merely an escape from cultivation. It may possibly have been a native of Europe; it is of great antiquity, having been imported into Greece from the East after Darius had discovered it in Medea, hence its name. It is referred to by Roman writers, and is cultivated in Persia and Peru, where it is mown all the year round. It first came into notice in 1757 in Britain. Its chief characteristics are: herb, 1 1/2 to 2 feet high; peduncled racemed; legumes contorted, twisted spirally, hairy; stem upright, smooth; leaves trifoliate; flowers in thick spikes, corolla purple.
To increase weight, an infusion of 1 OZ. to the pint is given in cupful doses.
The root of Lucerne has sometimes been found as an adulterant of Belladonna root. | | Constituents : | Contains organic minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium and almost all known vitamins, as well as very high in chlorophyll
Alterative, antipyretic, diuretic, appetite stimulant, hemostatic | | Uses : | Alfalfa tea is commonly used as a beverage; it is also used medicinally.Nutritious fresh or dried leaf tea traditionally used to promote appetite, weight gain, diuretic, stops bleeding.
A source of commercial chlorophyll and carotene, both with valid health claims. Contains the anti-oxidant tricin.
Experimentally, antifungal, and setrogenic. Unsubstantiated claims include use for cancer, diabetes, alcoholism, arthritis, etc.
High in chlorophyll and nutrients. Alkalies the body and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Good for all colon disorders, anemia, hemorrhaging, indigestion, vitamin or mineral deficiency, laxative, cystitis, blood purifier, gas, edema, diabetes, ulcers, and arthritis. Promotes pituitary gland function. Contains an antifungus agent. | | Dosage : | Infusion: mix 1 tbsp. dried herb with 8 oz. of warm water. Drink 1 cup of this home brewed tea daily.
Fresh: toss alfalfa sprouts in a salad.
For relief of rheumatoid arthritis, take 9 to 18 alfalfa tablets daily. | | Safety : | Alfalfa has been known to aggravate lupus and other auto-immune disorders. Avoid alfalfa is you have an auto-immune problem.
Consuming large quantities of Alfalfa saponins may cause breakdown of red blood cells, causing bloating in livestock (thus weight gain). Recent reports suggest that Alfalfa sprouts (or the canavanine therein, especially in the seeds), may be associated with lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus), causing recurrence in patients in which the disease had become dormant. | | Myths : | First discovered by the Arabs, who dubbed alfalfa, this valuable plant, as the 'father of all foods.'According to an early Oriental herbarium, alfalfa tops the list of 896 plants cited, and originated in Persia.Alfalfa (M. sativa), a native of Asia, didn't reach North America until around 1850 or 1860. Native Americans adapted alfalfa quickly for human use, as well as for animals. In England and South Africa it is called Buffalo herb.
Called Mu-su, this is one of the plants said to have been brought to China by General Chang Chien of the Han dynasty. The mu-su is included among the vegetables, and was formerly extensively cultivated; and in some parts of China, is still grown. It is found growing almost of its own accord.
The first documented use of this herb by the Chinese dates back to the 6th century. Chinese healers use alfalfa to treat kidney stones and to relieve fluid retention and swelling. Chinese name: Muxu or zimu
The Sting Plant (Psoralea lanceolata) known as White alfalfa (Native American name 'Pooy sonib') has fibrous roots that can be split exceptionally fine for string, nets, etc. Fragrant, and will not rot in water. | | Nutrient : | Biotin, calcium, choline, inositol, iron, magnesium, PABA, phosphorus, potassium, protein, sodium, sulfur, tryptophan (amino acid), and vitamins A, B complex, C, D, E, K, P, and U. | | Sold : | Capsules: take 3 to 6 daily. |
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