Alfalfa (leaf) Tea

Botanical Name: Medicago sativa

Plant Family: Fabiaceae

Plant description: Alfalfa is a perennial herb, which may grow to a height of 1 m, with trifoliate toothed leaflets, violet or blue flowers give way to a spirally twisted pod. Originating in Europe, Asia and North Africa, it is now cultivated widely throughout the world.

Part used: Leaf and flower

Harvest: When beginning to flower.

Active Constituents: Isoflavones, vitamins A, C, E, K and minerals calcium, potassium phosphorous and iron, coumestrol and alkaloids asparagine and trigonelline.

Energetics: Astringent, sweet, cooling.

Actions: Nutritive, oestrogen modulating.

Uses: Alfalfa leaves, either fresh or dried, have traditionally been used as a nutritive tonic for convalescence, debility and pregnancy. It has also been used as a tonic after blood loss and anaemia combining well with other herbs such as nettle. Its phyto-oestrogenic properties make alfalfa useful for relief of menopausal symptoms.

Dosage: Infusion - pour one cup of boiling water onto one teaspoon of dried herb. Leave to infuse for five minutes. Drink up to one cup three times per day. Fluid Extract (1:2) – 30—60 ml/week

Cautions: Best avoided in oestrogen sensitive breast cancer.

Interactions: There is no known significant drug or nutrient interactions associated with alfalfa.

Certified organically grown in Tasmania, Australia, at Highland Herbs Tasmania.