Alfalfa is a powerful herb that has a wide range of healing abilities. It contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, carotene and chlorophyll. It is the high level of manganese, however, that gives alfalfa the ability to lower and control blood sugar. With 45.5mg of manganese per kilogram of alfalfa, this is a healing herb with very effective hypoglycemic activity for those individuals who have blood sugar control problems.
So where can you find alfalfa, and how is it used?
Alfalfa is used throughout the world for feeding livestock. You may have even seen alfalfa pellets sold in some feed and grain stores. Don’t let the idea of eating barnyard animal food deter you, though. Alfalfa is just as much for humans as it is for animals! In fact, a lot of really tasty sandwiches already prominently feature delicious little alfalfa sprouts.
Alfalfa can be easily grown from seeds, sprouted right in your kitchen or picked up at your local health food store.
Using alfalfa is as easy as making a salad (or delicious deli sandwich), or steeping some tea. Alfalfa sprouts can be rinsed, and eaten just like any salad green. Alfalfa tea, typically made with dried alfalfa, is steeped in hot water for about 15-20 minutes before drinking. Alfalfa tea can be made using a few teaspoons of the dried herb, or by purchasing alfalfa tea bags at your local health food store.
You can also buy or make alfalfa tinctures that also work well for controlling blood sugar naturally.
Try to aim for taking alfalfa about three times daily, either through three cups of tea, a few servings of sprouts, or 10-15 ml of tincture (three times).
Alfalfa is generally considered safe, but as a precaution should be avoided by people with lupus nephritis, autoimmune diseases and pregnant or nursing mothers.
With all of its vitamins and minerals, alfalfa is a very healthy (and delicious) addition to any diet, and it is particularly good for those individuals who want a natural way to control blood sugar.
*****
Goodloe, A. (2011). Alfalfa and Sprouts. Medicinal Herbs Found in Your Kitchen. Class Notes.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and the information presented in this article is not medical advice.