Information About Alfalfa

Alfalfa, (Medicago sativa), also called lucerne or purple medic, perennial, cloverlike, leguminous plant of the pea family (Fabaceae), widely grown primarily for hay, pasturage, and silage. ... The plant is also valued in soil improvement and is grown as a cover crop and as a green manure.

What are the health benefits of alfalfa?
What is the purpose of alfalfa?
Who discovered alfalfa?
What is alfalfa called in India?
Is alfalfa good for hair growth?
Can alfalfa be eaten by humans?
How does alfalfa look like?
How do you identify alfalfa?
How do I cook alfalfa?
Why is alfalfa called Alfalfa?
Can you eat alfalfa flowers?
How many years does alfalfa last?

What are the health benefits of alfalfa?

Alfalfa has been shown to help lower cholesterol, and may also have benefits for blood sugar control and relieving symptoms of menopause. People also take it for its high content of antioxidants, vitamins C and K, copper, folate and magnesium.

What is the purpose of alfalfa?

Alfalfa is used for kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, and to increase urine flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, upset stomach, and a bleeding disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura.

Who discovered alfalfa?

Alfalfa seems to have originated in south-central Asia, and was first cultivated in ancient Iran. According to Pliny (died 79 AD), it was introduced to Greece in about 490 BC when the Persians invaded Greek territory.

What is alfalfa called in India?

The name alfalfa is widely used, particularly in North America and Australia. But in the UK, South Africa and New Zealand & India, the more commonly used name is lucerne.

Is alfalfa good for hair growth?

Alfalfa is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K. There are people who believe alfalfa can be used to make hair look healthier and stronger. Some claim it can stop hair loss when used as a supplement.

Can alfalfa be eaten by humans?

Although alfalfa is frequently used to feed horses and rabbits, it's good for people, too. Besides consuming it as a supplement, humans eat alfalfa in the form of sprouted seeds, found in the produce section of most grocery stores.

How does alfalfa look like?

Alfalfa can grow quite tall and has a deep root system, sometimes stretching more than 15 metres. This makes it very resilient, especially to droughts. Stems are round lower down, more or less angular towards the top, and usually smooth. The flowers resemble the clover in appearance.

How do you identify alfalfa?

Yellow to greenish-yellow, browning with age. Alfalfa seeds are darker than Yellow sweetclover. Important Identifying Characteristics: Purple flowers, long narrow leaf with serrated tip.

How do I cook alfalfa?

Place the alfalfa sprouts in a tray and place them in the oven for a minute or two. This will "toast" the sprouts, giving them a crispy texture while cooking them and getting rid of any bacteria that might be present. Take them out before they turn brown. Add them to salads, sandwiches or wraps.

Why is alfalfa called Alfalfa?

Alfalfa was important to the early Babylonian cultures, and to the Persians, Greeks, and Romans because of its importance for feeding horses used in war. The name "alfalfa" comes from Arabic, Persian, and Kashmiri words meaning "best horse fodder" and "horse power."

Can you eat alfalfa flowers?

To avoid misidentification, harvest when in flower: the alfalfa has purple flowers, and the yellow clover has white or yellow flowers. When harvesting in the wild or from fully grown plants, you can eat the leaves and the flowers. ... Both can be eaten raw or cooked.

How many years does alfalfa last?

With alfalfa I try to plan for a 5 year stand. Sometimes it comes out after 3 years and sometimes it stays for 7 years. One time one field persisted for 11 full years of full production. I must also mention that one stand was plowed out before the first cutting.