What is alfalfa? The therapeutic value of alfalfa

Contents of this article

1. What is alfalfa?

2. The therapeutic value of alfalfa

3. Taboos on eating alfalfa

What is alfalfa?

Alfalfa, commonly known as golden cauliflower, is a perennial flowering plant that looks similar to clover. Its leaves are alternate, pinnate, and have serrated and rough leaf margins. It has strong adaptability and vitality, and is known as the king of forage grass.

There are three main types of alfalfa produced in China, which have high nutritional value and contain the richest vitamin K, the highest content among all vegetables. Other vitamins such as vitamin C and B are also quite rich.

Alfalfa is known as the "king of forage grass". It not only has high yield but also excellent grass quality, and is favored by all kinds of livestock and poultry. With the development of commodity economy, the scale of alfalfa industrialization has developed rapidly, and the planting area of ​​alfalfa is expanding.

Alfalfa stems can quickly regenerate a large number of new stems after harvesting, so hay can be harvested 1 to 13 times in each growing season.

The therapeutic value of alfalfa

(1) Alfalfa and drainage

The number one reason for consuming alfalfa is to promote the elimination of retained water in the body. Since alfalfa has the function of drainage and diuresis, it is a good nutritional supplement for the elimination of uric acid in women with menstrual edema and gout. The reason is that alfalfa is rich in minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc. The potassium in it can help the human body eliminate excessive sodium accumulation, thereby achieving the function of drainage and diuresis, and then eliminate excessive uric acid in the body to avoid gout caused by excessive uric acid concentration in the blood. Recommended usage: Take 1 500 mg capsule on an empty stomach between meals.

(2) Alfalfa and cholesterol reduction

In addition, alfalfa contains an active ingredient called plant saponin. Plant saponin has a great affinity for cholesterol and can be used as an oil emulsifier. It combines with cholesterol to form an insoluble complex that cannot be absorbed by the body. In this way, the intake of cholesterol from the diet can be reduced, and the cholesterol content in the blood and tissues can be indirectly reduced. Recommended usage: Take 1 to 2 500 mg tablets after meals.

(3) Alfalfa and acid-base balance in the body

The minerals contained in alfalfa are alkaline. For people who often eat a lot of meat and fish and drink alcohol when socializing, it can help balance the acidity and alkalinity in the body and avoid acidification of the blood.

Taboos on eating alfalfa

Alfalfa is better to be fried and eaten. It is edible for most people, especially for patients with tracheitis, anemia, pernicious anemia, bronchitis, damp heat, jaundice, enteritis, constipation, intestinal bleeding, etc., who can eat more appropriately. However, patients with urinary stones and loose stools should not eat too much. Alfalfa is actually a general term for all plants of the genus Alfalfa. In some places, this plant is called "clover". Alfalfa can be said to be a food that can be used as both medicine and food. In addition to being eaten directly as food, it also has certain medicinal value and has a therapeutic effect on many diseases.