Alfalfa (Medicago sativa“> is a perennial, leguminous plant of the pea family. It is known for its amazing tolerance in the heat, cold, and droughts. It has remarkable productivity and quality of its herbage and actually improves soil. Most people are only aware of the alfalfa sprouts but this tall, bush, leafy plant is valuable in its entirety. The name comes from Arabic and is translated as “Father of Plants”. This is a rapidly growing plant. Its roots can attain great depths, which is an adaptation for drought tolerance. Its stems and leaves can rapidly regenerate new ones following a cutting and the sprouts are tasty additions to dishes while the blossoms are used for herbal remedies.
Benefits of Alfalfa
Alfalfa is rich in minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients. It contains vitamins A, Bi, B6, C, E, and K. It has calcium, carotene, iron, potassium, and zinc, which can be taken in the form of leaves, seeds, or tablets. Alfalfa is high in protein and even one cup of alfalfa sprouts contains 1.3 grams of protein. Both the sprouts and the leaf preparations help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Alfalfa and Hair loss/Growth
It has been said alfalfa can help with hair loss because alfalfa is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and folic acid to just name a few. It also seems that alfalfa juice, carrot juice, and lettuce juice is the right combination to stop hair loss in its tracks because of the carotene and minerals in all three. With all the vitamins and minerals it is no wonder our hair benefits from this plant. With the copper, magnesium, and zinc it is a great source for stronger hair and a healthy scalp. They are extremely useful for all round development of hair growth.
Eating the sprouts in salads or on sandwiches are optimal ways to gain all the benefits for your entire body and of course your hair but remember to rinse them thoroughly under the water for one to two minutes and allow them to drain before eating. Worried about how old those sprouts may be in the store? You can get your own seeds and grow them!
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. alfalfa seeds
- Wide-necked glass jar
- Cheesecloth big enough to cover top of glass jar
- Rubber band
Directions
- Take alfalfa seeds and rinse under cold water and drain.
- Place them in a wide necked glass jar before adding cool water to the jar just enough to cover the seeds.
- Allow it to soak overnight.
- In the morning, attach the cheesecloth over jar opening and secure with rubber band.
- Strain the water through the cloth, making sure all the water is out or the seeds could rot. Do not remove seeds from jar.
- Rinse the seeds and the jar every day with pure water and after five days or so, the sprouts should be ready to eat! They can be added to salads, sandwiches, or stir-fry veggies.
Not into growing, juicing, or even eating your own sprouts? Then check out a few hair products that use alfalfa in them to bring the goodness right to your strands.
