Learn how you can use alfalfa leaves to help ease asthma, support healthy blood sugar and cholesterol, support female health and boost renal function.
![alfalfa plant in a field](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-featured-image.png)
This herb is used primarily in the agricultural world, however, it has some amazing medicinal benefits for humans as well!
With a whole host of vitamins and minerals in it, alfalfa can help boost your health even if you don’t have asthma, high cholesterol, diabetes, poor renal function or osteoporosis.
Add this little herb, grown all over the United States, to your diet in the form of salad, tea, tincture, or vinegar!
This post is for entertainment and informational purposes only. The information in this post is not to be used to diagnose, treat, or in anyway constitute medical advice.
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![a handful of alfalfa](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-6.jpg)
What is alfalfa?
Alfalfa is a flowering perennial plant that has been used for its medicinal benefits for hundreds of years.
This herb is actually part of the legume family known as Fabaceae.
Alfalfa is most recognized and used in the United States as animal feed.
Farmers use this plant to feed livestock in the form of hay, silage, cover crop, and grazing tonnage.
The scientific name of alfalfa is Medicago Sativa.
Some also call this plant islucerne (or luzerne), buffalo herb, or purple medic.
You can find alfalfa all across the US in fine to moderate textured soil.
Alfalfa can tolerate drought but does not like prolonged flooding.
![a field with alfalfa in it](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-9.jpg)
Identifying alfalfa
Alfalfa grows between 24 to 36 inches tall and has roots that grow 6-12 feet deep.
The roots can grow up to 20 feet deep in certain conditions, making this herb excellent at withstanding drought.
The stems of alfalfa are thin and mostly round closer to the bottom of the stem, whereas the stem is more angular the farther you go up the stem.
The leaves of alfalfa grow alternate along the stem and are scattered along the entirety of the stem.
They are narrow (2-3 times longer than wide) and grow in sets of three, similar to clover.
Alfalfa flowers grow in a short one-sided cluster of 10-20 flowers per plant.
The flowers are typically a light purple, violet, white, or even yellow or blue.
![alfalfa in a field of grass](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-11.jpg)
How to harvest and use alfalfa leaves
Harvesting
Harvest leaves that are green and healthy looking, that have no signs of bug or animal damage.
Pick the leaves off of the of alfalfa plant, leaving the stalk intact.
You can also harvest some of the flowers to go with your nutritious alfalfa leaves.
Rinse the leaves under running water and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
Uses
Tea
Use fresh leaves to make a cup of tea today or dry the leaves for later use.
For fresh leaves: pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of fresh alfalfa leaves. Steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain off the leaves and serve hot or chill and serve cold.
For dried leaves: pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried and crushed alfalfa leaves. Let this steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain out the leaves and serve hot or chill and serve cold.
![alfalfa](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-3.jpg)
Salad
Add a handful of fresh alfalfa leaves to a toss salad for some added nutrition and flavor.
Tinctures and Glycerites
Add some fresh or dried alfalfa leaves to your herbal tincture or herbal glycerite concoction.
Vinegars
Make a herbal vinegar using alfalfa leaves to add to your salad dressing and other recipes throughout your day.
Supplements and Capsules
You can make your own herbal capsules with powdered alfalfa and other herbs, or you can purchase some here.
![a handful of alfalfa](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-7.jpg)
Health Benefits of alfalfa leaves
Supports healthy cholesterol
Alfalfa supports healthy cholesterol levels with a compound called saponins.
These compounds help lower cholesterol in the body.
They do this by decreasing the absorption of cholesterol in the gut, while increasing the excretion of compounds that make new cholesterol.
Eases asthma
Alfalfa contains a compound saponin. This compound helps stimulate the immune system cells via the upper respiratory tract.
This allows the body to clear the irritants from the lungs, lessening the effects of asthma.
Try adding alfalfa to your diet in the form of tea or capsules for on-the-go asthma relief.
![alfalfa plants](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-1-copy.jpg)
Helps balance blood sugar
Alfalfa can help support healthy blood sugar levels by slowing sugar absorption.
It does this by being high in fiber and therefore slowing digestion of sugar into the intestines and blood.
Alfalfa also helps balance and/or lower blood sugar by stimulating insulin secretion.
To get the best benefits of alfalfa for blood sugar, try adding it to your diet in the form of fresh salads.
Osteoporosis
Alfalfa contains vitamin D, which is needed for calcium to repair and grow new bone.
Vitamin K likewise helps bones to knit by working with vitamin D and glutamic acid to activate osteocalcin (a collagenous protein in bone).
![a woman holding a alfalfa plant](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-13.jpg)
Boosts renal function
Alfalfa is a natural diuretic, which means it will increase urine flow, flushing the kidneys of toxins and excess fluids in the body.
This makes alfalfa a great herb to take when you have a UTI or fluid retention.
Get the benefits of better renal function by drinking a glass of alfalfa leaf tea.
Supports women’s health
Alfalfa supports female reproductive health by providing nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and vitamin C that work together to alleviate menstrual cramps.
This plant also contains phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens) which work to naturally alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Alfalfa may also help boost milk supply in lactating mothers. Check with your healthcare provider before starting to take alfalfa while breastfeeding or while pregnant, however.
![an alfalfa plant](https://harmonymeadowhomestead.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Benefits-of-Using-Alfalfa-Leaves-Plus-How-to-Use-It-12.jpg)
Cautions when using alfalfa leaves
Although there are some amazing benefits of alfalfa, there are also a few complications that could occur if your body reacts to or is allergic to alfalfa.
Stop ingesting alfalfa leaves if you have any signs of allergic reaction to them.
Avoid using alfalfa leaves before talking to your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
- a medical condition
- are pregnant or nursing
- have lupus
- take a medication (such as for diabetes or blood thinners)
- have an autoimmune disorder
- have a compromised immune system
Happy Foraging!
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