CW Apothecary is one of the leading suppliers of alfalfa Leaf. Alfalfa is a flowering member of the pea family that resembles clover. Dried alfalfa leaf lends a bright, slightly sweet flavor to tea blends. It is highly nutritious delivering vitamins C and K, manganese, and folate, and is used to make infusions, herbal oils and salves. Alfalfa Leaf is Bright green when fresh. Retains good color when dried. You can alfalfa to soups, strews, baked goods, smoothies and tea blends. Alfalfa “fixes” nitrogen, which improves soil. The plant provides a high protein food for grazing animals and rabbits.
Alfalfa has a fresh, earthy flavor that goes well with many other herbs in teas and in other beverages and foods. Tastes grass-like and mildly sweet. Blends well with most other herbs in tea blend.
Harvesting: Alfalfa Leaf is found throughout the year, the herb is located in fields in both cultivated and wild areas of Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It is harvested in summer months after having grown to approximately 1 to 3 feet. It has bluish-purple or yellowish flowers that grow from a tall, erect and smooth stem. The seed pods appear spiraled. To reach the early bloom stage – the suggestion is 10 percent bloom. The objective is to allow the alfalfa plant to reach a full level of root carbohydrates.
Benefits: Alfalfa has been shown to help lower cholesterol and may also have benefits for blood sugar management and relieving symptoms of menopause. People also take it because it contains antioxidants, as well as nutrients like vitamin K, copper, folate, and magnesium. Alfalfa is also extremely low in calories, improves heart, gut, and liver health, boosting immunity and increasing testosterone in men. If you have high cholesterol a general dosing regimen is 5 to 10 g of the dried herb taken 3 times daily.
Suggested Uses: alfalfa is used to make infusions, herbal oils and salves for skin irritations. Add alfalfa to soups, strews, baked goods, smoothies and tea blends. Alfalfa “fixes” nitrogen, which improves soil. The plant provides a high protein food for grazing animals and rabbits.
Warnings: Do not use if you have an autoimmune disease. May interact with certain medications, such as Warfarin (Coumadin).
| NAME OF HERB | Alfalfa Leaf |
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| BOTANICAL NAME | Medicago sativa |
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| PLANT PART USED | Leaf |
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| PROCESSING | Cut and sifted |
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| ORIGIN | United States |
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| COMMON NAMES | Chilean Clover, Buffalo Grass, lucerne, purple medic |
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