7 facts about the benefits of alfalfa and possible harm

Alfalfa (other names, more common among the common people - lechuha, medunka, zarya, mouse stepovoy, snorer, Burkunets) is a plant that is most often used as green manure.

Beekeepers often grow grass as a honey plant - bees are happy to collect fragrant, fragrant nectar. Few people know that the herbaceous plant has numerous medicinal properties - thanks to the high content of vitamins and microelements, herbal remedies effectively affect various problems of the body.

Traditional medicine warns that you should not start treatment without first familiarizing yourself with the basic characteristics of the herb, rules of use, prohibitions and restrictions.

Brief description of the plant, growth

Alfalfa is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant that is part of the huge legume family. The grass has a tall (up to 70 cm) stem, strongly branching in the upper part. The leaves are small, oval, arranged in pairs.

The rhizome is powerful, often penetrating to a depth of 10 m. The flowers are small, purple, collected in large clusters-inflorescences. Flowering begins in mid-summer, continues until early autumn, and ends with the formation of a fruit - a spiral-shaped bean, on the surface of which there are achenes resembling buds.

Alfalfa grows naturally only in Asia Minor and is rarely found on the Balkan Peninsula. The cultivated plant often spreads in regions with temperate or warm climates.

The grass prefers forest edges, meadows, river banks, and hilly slopes. It is often found on pastures for walking livestock - farmers sow the plant in order to increase milk yield and improve the quality of milk.

Collection, basic rules for drying and storing honeydew

Only the above-ground part of the plant is used for treatment. Go collect a valuable element of home medicines during the growing season and flowering. Cut greens with pruning shears or a knife; if there is a large cluster of plants, it is recommended to use a scythe. Chop the plant material a little at home and place the herbal particles on baking sheets to dry.

Dry the plant component under shelters in the attic. A prerequisite is access to fresh air; a debate will inevitably begin in a closed room, and the grass will become covered with mold. It is strictly prohibited to use alfalfa with traces of spoilage in treatment - there is a risk of causing irritation and serious poisoning.

During rainy season, drying can be done in the oven. The only warning is not to allow the temperature to rise, otherwise the beneficial elements will begin to deteriorate.

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After drying, send the plant material for storage. Use glass jars and food-grade plastic containers. If it is possible to store the grass in a warm room with low humidity, it is allowed to package the grass particles in linen bags.

Be sure to periodically sort through the raw materials - if spoilage is detected, you will have to re-dry the honeydew in the oven at 30-35 degrees. The beneficial properties of the herb remain unchanged for three years, subject to proper storage.

Contraindications

Alfalfa, which looks so nice in the photo, in addition to its beneficial properties, also has some contraindications , without taking them into account, you can cause serious harm to your health. Among them:

• autoimmune diseases;
• pancreatitis;
• gall diseases.

In addition, the seeds and oil from them should not be consumed by children under 12 years of age, pregnant girls and nursing mothers. Any medication should be taken according to the dosage prescribed in the prescription and after consulting with your doctor in advance.

Useful properties of the herb, indications for use

Alfalfa has a number of useful qualities, including analgesic, regenerating, hemostatic, and sedative. The plant contains elements that improve digestive processes and reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood.

Regular use of home remedies has a positive effect on the circulatory system - it increases the firmness and elasticity of blood vessels, normalizes blood flow, and reduces the risk of blood clots.

It is recommended to use home remedies based on alfalfa for a number of diseases, including:

• dermatitis, pimples, acne, ulcers;
• damage to joints and bone tissue (inflammation, rheumatism, gout, osteochondrosis);
• diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis, urethritis);
• disorders of the digestive system (diseases of the stomach, intestines, frequent constipation);
• diabetes.

Due to its high content of useful substances, honeydew is often used when the body's defenses are weak. Taking decoctions and infusions will be especially useful during the cold season - the active components will protect against infectious diseases and viruses.

Be sure to introduce herbal tea into the diet of children prone to colds. Give children even weakly saturated formulations only after a visit to the pediatrician.

It is recommended to consume home remedies regularly during pregnancy. During lactation, herbal compositions will also bring considerable benefits - the grass is replete with elements that have a positive effect on the growth and development of the baby.

The only requirement is not to start traditional treatment without prior agreement with a specialist; if there are prohibitions, it is easy to provoke unpleasant consequences.

Lucerne NSP

The beneficial characteristics of the herb are not recognized by official medicine, but honeydew is often the main component in dietary supplements. The food additive Lucerne NSP (pack price 750-780 rubles) acts in different directions:

• normalizes sugar levels in diabetes;
• normalizes the circulatory system, improves blood composition;
• stops the spread of inflammatory processes and prevents damage to healthy tissues;
• improves the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines;
• reduces the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis;
• increases the body's immune strength.

It is recommended to take the drug for women who are breastfeeding their baby. Due to the high content of nutrients, the amount of milk increases significantly and its composition improves, which will immediately affect the condition, development, and growth of the baby.

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Take the drug three times a day. Dosage – just one capsule, be sure to take it with a small amount of water. It is forbidden to exceed the recommended amount of the drug - this will not affect the effectiveness, but there is a risk of causing allergies.

Chemical composition of alfalfa

Alfalfa contains many vitamins and minerals. The inflorescences and young shoots of the plant have the greatest number of beneficial properties. They are used not only for medicinal purposes, but also eaten. The composition of the plant is represented by the following components:

• alimentary fiber;
• amino acids;
• flavonoids;
• saponins;
• anthocyanins;
• vitamins of groups PP, B, A, C, K and E;
• macro- and microelements (iron, zinc, copper, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, sodium, potassium);
• chlorophyll;
• essential oils;
• phytoestrogens;
• fatty acid;
• ketones;
• alkaloids.

Reducing cholesterol levels with honeydew infusion

For high cholesterol, alternative medicine suggests using a simple recipe - alfalfa decoction. The herbal remedy normalizes indicators, improves overall health, and has a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels.

It is also recommended to use home medicine for preventive purposes - regular use of a composition rich in useful substances will help avoid the re-accumulation of cholesterol and the formation of plaques. Step-by-step folk recipe:

1. Place dry vegetable raw materials (10 g) in a metal cooking container.
2. Boil water, steam the plant mass with boiling water (200 ml), stirring.
3. Place on the stove, simmer on low for a quarter of an hour.
4. Remove, wait half an hour, strain.

Drink the prepared decoction in one go. Do not prepare the remedy for future use - steam fresh herbal medicine each time. It is recommended to use the composition twice a day, always before meals. You should not drink the decoction just before going to bed - the plant has a weak diuretic effect.

The most effective treatment will be if you take the decoction continuously for a month. This is enough to lower cholesterol levels and have a positive effect on blood vessels. For preventive purposes, take herbal medicine every six months for a week.

Treatment of diabetes with alfalfa infusion

For diabetes mellitus at home, it is recommended to regularly consume a rich infusion of honeydew. The herb effectively affects blood sugar levels and has a positive effect on the body’s condition. The most useful treatment for diabetics will be complex treatment - a combination of herbal medicine and medications.

Be sure to consult a specialist before using alternative treatment. Some drugs prescribed for diabetes can react with substances present in the herbal decoction, so it is better not to self-medicate - it can easily cause serious harm to the body.

To prepare the infusion, use only fresh honeydew herbs. Chop 20 gr. vegetable raw materials, steam with boiled water (250 ml). Leave to infuse, close the container tightly, and wrap in a towel to increase the concentration of beneficial elements. Strain after an hour.

Take the prepared product throughout the day in small portions (no more than 50 ml). The duration of treatment is two months, take a break (2 weeks), allowing the body to rest, and continue taking the herbal remedy.

Use in folk medicine

Alfalfa has a beneficial effect on the entire body. It is widely used in alternative medicine. Medicinal teas, decoctions and infusions can be prepared from all parts of the plant. There are very few contraindications for alfalfa and this makes it a unique remedy for getting rid of many diseases.

• Tincture recipe. For one tablespoon of chopped herbs - a glass of boiling water. Cover and leave until cool. Drink three or four times within 12 hours. Alcohol infusion. Take half a liter of vodka or alcohol for five tablespoons of crushed leaves. Keep for about two weeks in a dark place with average temperature. Drink one teaspoon thirty minutes before meals. Twice a day.
• Decoction . At 2 tbsp. l. alfalfa grass - 500 ml of water. Put on fire, boil and keep on low heat for ten minutes. Most often, this recipe is used for douching.
• Juice . Dilute the juice from the leaves and stem of the plant with clean water in a one to one ratio. Used to enhance breast milk production when blood sugar levels are high.

Other useful recipes:

• Against nervousness. 15 gr. Dried alfalfa grass pour one and a half glasses of liquid. Boil. Simmer for ten minutes. Pour into a thermos and leave for three hours. Filter. Take half a glass in the morning, afternoon and evening an hour before meals. Excellent for eliminating nervousness during pregnancy or menopause.
• For arthritis, arthrosis, gout. For 25 grams of grass - half a liter of alcohol or vodka. Leave to infuse for fourteen days. It is recommended to take 10 drops of the finished tincture per fifty milliliters of water. Drink thirty minutes before meals. Take three times a day.
• To make the wounds heal faster. For cuts, abrasions, burns or after surgery, it is very useful to take alfalfa infusion. Proportion: 5 grams of alfalfa grass per half glass of boiling water. The mixture must be poured into the bath. Take 10-15 minutes. Duration of treatment – ​​10 days.
• For the flow of breast milk. Sometimes a woman produces little milk. To increase lactation, you need to add half a teaspoon of alfalfa infusion to your tea. Drink tea morning, afternoon and evening for a week. You can also drink fresh juice from sprouted alfalfa sprouts. Five to six tablespoons per day is enough.
• in treating diabetes : pour 200 ml of boiling water per ten grams of herb. Simmer in a water bath for twenty-five minutes, stirring lightly. Time to insist. Strain. Drink in divided doses throughout the day.
• To prevent bleeding, simply apply a bunch of dry alfalfa to the wound. To make bruises disappear faster, you need to apply pieces of cotton wool soaked in a herbal decoction to them.
• During menopause, it is useful to drink a soothing decoction. For a glass of water - five grams of raw materials. Boil for five minutes. And leave to infuse for about three hours. Drink 125 ml. Three times a day 30 minutes before meals.
• To enhance the body's immune functions. Alfalfa sprouts strengthen the immune system well. They are eaten raw. For example, as an addition to salad. With regular use, hemoglobin increases, vitality increases, and metabolism accelerates.
• When losing weight. Alfalfa is known to reduce appetite. You need to take sprouted alfalfa and pour half a liter of boiling water. Cool and take 200 ml per day before main meals.
• If you suffer from nose and vaginal bleeding, drink 25 g of juice from the leaves of the plant twice a day. To do this, you need to squeeze fresh juice from alfalfa leaves. Drink twenty-five milliliters in the morning and evening.
• From hemorrhoids . Sitz baths with alfalfa decoction help relieve inflammation and pain from hemorrhoids. You will need a teaspoon of dried stems and 250 ml of boiling water. Steam for twenty minutes. Pour the strained broth into the bath.
• Vitamin tonic drink . It's very easy to prepare. Even a beginner can handle this. Grind a little fresh peeled alfalfa grass with the same amount of water using a blender until creamy. Take the prepared mixture daily. First, start treatment with small portions, then gradually increase this amount. This vitamin drink activates the work of all body systems. Strengthens the nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Gives vigor, relieves sleep problems, normalizes intestinal function.
• Immunity-strengthening infusion . You need to take ten tablespoons of ground alfalfa per half liter of boiling water. Cover the mixture and leave for five hours. Filter through double gauze. The herbal cake is thrown away. Drink half a glass of the decoction three to four times a day. You can add a little honey for taste.
• For oncology. The hop variety of alfalfa is effective. For two tablespoons of dried raw materials - half a liter of liquid. Boil for five minutes. Then leave to infuse for an hour. Take small doses 15-20 minutes before meals.
• Against pancreatitis and diabetes . Grind the stems of the plant. Pour boiling water (0.5 l). Wrap in a warm cloth and towel. Leave for five to six hours. Strain. Drink five tablespoons an hour before meals. Morning, noon and evening. Or dilute the plant juice in equal parts with water.
• To stimulate the work of the heart muscle . At 6 tbsp. l. dried raw materials pour 500 ml of boiling water. Then let it brew for five hours. Next, strain through a piece of gauze. Take one hundred milliliters three times a day. Definitely before meals. Duration of therapy is four weeks.