Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | July, 2011

You entered Mu-su, the more common name is...

Aside from its use as feed for high producing dairy cows, beef cattle, horses, sheep and goats, people eat Alfalfa sprouts. Used as an herbal medicine for over 1,500 years, Alfalfa is high in protein, calcium, vitamin C, E, K and many in the B group, as well as many minerals. <br />
Nutritious fresh or dried leaf tea is traditionally used to promote appetite, weight gain and is a diuretic. Young alfalfa leaves have been used to treat disorders related to the digestive tract and the kidneys. A poultice made from the seeds may bring relief by drawing out the poisons associated with boils. May also benefit those suffering from arthritis.<br />

Alfalfa

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Medicago sativa L)


This perennial is part of the pea family and resembles clover with its cluster of small purple flowers. Generally, Alfalfa lives less than 10 years but some varieties can live more than twenty. Plants can grow as tall as 3 feet with its deep root system stretching more than 50 feet. Alfalfa is grown as a forage crop throughout the world and can be found growing in fields and along roadsides.



Common Names:

Buffalo herb, Lucerne, Lucerne Grass, Mu-su, Purple medic


Alfalfa

Uses:

Aside from its use as feed for high producing dairy cows, beef cattle, horses, sheep and goats, people eat Alfalfa sprouts. Used as an herbal medicine for over 1,500 years, Alfalfa is high in protein, calcium, vitamin C, E, K and many in the B group, as well as many minerals.
Nutritious fresh or dried leaf tea is traditionally used to promote appetite, weight gain and is a diuretic. Young alfalfa leaves have been used to treat disorders related to the digestive tract and the kidneys. A poultice made from the seeds may bring relief by drawing out the poisons associated with boils. May also benefit those suffering from arthritis.



Applications:

Capsule:
Follow dosage on bottle.

Tea:
Add 1 ounce of fresh or dried leaves to 1 pint of boiling water and allow to steep up to 20 minutes. Two cups a day is the recommended dosage.


Warnings:

Those with autoimmune disorders or systemic Lupus should not take Alfalfa in any form.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.