Alfalfa

The good- the great- and- the questioned

The fields of alfalfa you see are not for cows and horses alone.  The part of spring that begins to bleed into summer, right before the tractors go to cut down first alfalfa harvest is when the picking is best for human consumption.  You can take alfalfa in any form at any time of the year, but after the winter thaw and those lengthy roots (up to 25' deep!) bring up the best minerals- that makes for prime picking.
Of course alfalfa sprouts are always in high demand in my home, but the field we have is top priority right now.  You will want to harvest the ones that have not developed the purple flower or seeds- all energy is directed to that- you want to harvest when everything wonderful is potent and in the leaves.

Rich in protein, vitamins A, C and K *not so awesome if you are on blood thinners*- and B-related choline-
Minerals/trace minerals such as Zinc, Magnesium, biotin, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, betacarotene, copper and iron...all depending on your soil.
Depending on what time of year, and which cutting you are on out of 3, the protein levels usually balance on 3%.  The leaves contain 8 of the essential amino acids.
Phytonutrients are high in the plant as well-

Medicinal uses-

• Kidney, bladder and prostate disorders
• Helps relieve poor digestion
• Anti-diabetic activity- helps those who can not utilize insulin properly
• Aids in all arthritis pain 
• Treatment of dyspepsia
• Anti-asthmatic
• Helps ease nausea
• Ease of Gout
• Helps eliminate bad breath
• Blood purifier
• Helps with addiction- especially in alcoholics
• Control fevers 
• Improves jaundice
• Diuretic- treatment for dropsy and bladder inflammation
• Helps soften hardened arteries- acting as a "grow your own" treatment for high blood pressure
• Helps remineralize teeth
• Assists in mothers who are nursing
• Fantastic for making your own liquid chlorophyll/chlorophyll concentrate 

Phytochemicals are found in the plant. Shown to contribute to the prevention cancer- it has an amino acid called canavanine- proven to join carcinogens within the colon.  It is also an assistant in preventing cardiovascular disease by lowering blood cholesterol all while protecting the nervous system from degrading.  Co-working with the calcium in the plant, this has been found beneficial in delaying osteoporosis and alleviating menopausal symptoms.

Alfalfa contains coumestans.  There have been lab studies done on phytoestrogen, designed primarily around menopause and symptom relief.
From my research, and from others, there have not been any randomized, controlled human study trials in the use and health condition pertaining to human consumption.

In large consumption, any type of estrogen will interrupt your system.  Some of the studies I have fully researched on endocrine disruptors are- xenoestrogen, Bisphenol A- or BPA and phytoestrogen in Soy. Any consumption of BPA or Soy in any volume is nasty for you.  Yes, Soy.  Some people still don't know how toxic, damaging and deadly Soy is.  You may be one of those who say "I feel fine" or "I eat it and nothing bad has happened to me" but you are changing the genetic structure your body and squashing your children's chances of becoming parents themselves- let alone grandparents- among countless other dangers and cancers you are exposing yourself to.  Factor in that soy is in everything.  So it is not when you only consume the occasional tofu miso soup-  It is used in almost everything processed- from "food" that comes from a window or a box to pizza sauce and salad dressing.

Those animals that only consume alfalfa have shown to have lower fertility rates- but nothing like those who are fed G.E. (Genetically Engineered) foods.  The statistics skyrocket when G.E. foods are introduced into the mix. In all truth, it is rare that an animal is placed in a field where no other greens grow- there is always some sort of grass, clover, flower etc.  In simple deduction, I feel that if an animal is pasture raised the statistics don't hold well for reproduction failure- if the animal is pen fed, then I can see how this is valid as the owner of said animal has complete control over what they feed the animal..  I will have to do more research to be definitive and to figure out exactly how much lower by percentage.

Measured servings are key.
Consumed over 6-12 months with proper doses- it has been proven to aid substantially beneficial.

How I consume Alfalfa:

If I am adding fresh leaves I either cook them down with dandelion leaves, beet greens, chard, kale or any hardy green- usually in a bath of vinegar and garlic etc. or I use it in a stir fry
If I am using it dried- I take a handful of each alfalfa, red raspberry leaf (1st year cutting) and of course nettle.  I steep in about a half gallon of hot water then filter out into a separate cup and drink a few times a day.


I found a website with a link at the bottom to show nutritional content-

Measurement is 1 cup.

Calorie Information Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calories 7.6 (31.8 kJ) 0%   From Carbohydrate 2.5 (10.5 kJ)   From Fat 1.9 (8.0 kJ)   From Protein 3.2 (13.4 kJ)   From Alcohol 0.0 (0.0 kJ) Carbohydrates Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Carbohydrate 0.7 g 0% Dietary Fiber 0.6 g 3% Starch 0.0 g Sugars 0.1 g Fats & Fatty Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Total Fat 0.2 g 0% Saturated Fat 0.0 g 0% Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g Total trans fatty acids ~ Total trans-monoenoic fatty acids ~ Total trans-polyenoic fatty acids ~ Total Omega-3 fatty acids 57.8 mg Total Omega-6 fatty acids 77.2 mg Learn more about these fatty acids and their equivalent names

Protein & Amino Acids Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Protein 1.3 g 3% Vitamins Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Vitamin A 51.1 IU 1% Vitamin C 2.7 mg 5% Vitamin D ~ ~ Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) 0.0 mg 0% Vitamin K 10.1 mcg 13% Thiamin 0.0 mg 2% Riboflavin 0.0 mg 2% Niacin 0.2 mg 1% Vitamin B6 0.0 mg 1% Folate 11.9 mcg 3% Vitamin B12 0.0 mcg 0% Pantothenic Acid 0.2 mg 2% Choline 4.8 mg Betaine 0.1 mg Minerals Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Calcium 10.6 mg 1% Iron 0.3 mg 2% Magnesium 8.9 mg 2% Phosphorus 23.1 mg 2% Potassium 26.1 mg 1% Sodium 2.0 mg 0% Zinc 0.3 mg 2% Copper 0.1 mg 3% Manganese 0.1 mg 3% Selenium 0.2 mcg 0% Fluoride ~ Sterols Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0% Phytosterols ~ Other Amounts Per Selected Serving %DV Alcohol 0.0 g Water 30.6 g Ash 0.1 g Caffeine 0.0 mg Theobromine 0.0 mg

Below is the link to take you to see more nutritional facts and see further data and charts.http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2302/2