Alfalfa is also known as lucerne, buffalo herb, and, because of its bluish or purple flowers, purple medick. A leguminous plant, with roots that go deep into the soil, it is a rich source of 14 of the 16 principal mineral elements, particularly iron,...
* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Alfalfa is also known as lucerne, buffalo herb, and, because of its bluish or purple flowers, purple medick. A leguminous plant, with roots that go deep into the soil, it is a rich source of 14 of the 16 principal mineral elements, particularly iron, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Alfalfa also contains vitamins A, D, F, G, and K. The herb is said to give racehorses speed and athletes stamina. It is also believed to relieve arthritis and other twinges and pains, to stimulate appetite, to build the body, and to help in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. Alfalfa is thought to aid digestion and elimination and to help cure peptic ulcers.
Plant Facts and Growing Tios
Plant: A hardy perennial, the cloverlike plant has an erect smooth stem that grows from an elongated taproot. Oblong leaflets grow in groups of three around the stem. The plant is found on the borders of fields and in low valleys, and it is widely cultivated for fodder and as a soil builder. (It increases the nitrogen content of the soil with the help of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which enter the root hairs and form nodules that nurture the plant and surrounding soil.) Purplish flowers grow in racemes - many small flowers growing off the stem - and bloom from June to August. Spirally coiled seedpods follow.
Height: 1 to 3 feet.
Soil: Well-drained soil of reasonably good fertility, slightly acid.
Exposure: Full or partial sun.
Propagation: Seeds sown in early spring or late summer during the third lunar phase.
Care: Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart. Make sure there is no hardpan or underlying rock layer where you plant it, because alfalfa sends its roots down deep. Researchers have traced them for well over 100 feet, but 20 to 30 feet is average.
Parts Used for Tea: Leaves and seeds.
Taste: Bland; tastes like newly mown hay. It is usually blended with mint, lemon verbena, red clover, or honey.
Dosage: One cup of the infusion taken three times daily.
How to Brew
Leaves - By Infusion: 1 teaspoon dried herb (or 3 teaspoons fresh crushed herb) to 1 cup boiling water. Steep to taste.
Seeds - By Decoction: Crush 1 tablespoon seeds and add to 2 cups boiling water. Reduce temperature and allow mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes.
Lemon Aid Digestive Tea
This is a good blend for digestion, with a tang of lemon:
1 teaspoon dried alfalfa leaves
1 teaspoon dried lemon verbena leaves
Mix herbs. Infuse 1 teaspoon of mixture in 1 cup boiling water. Steep 5 to 8 minutes, or to taste.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
