Guest guest Posted May 3, 2003 Report Share Posted May 3, 2003 Alfalfa- " Nature's Mineral Source " JoAnn Guest Aug 14, 2002 09:41 PDT Alfalfa: Nature’s Natural Mineral Source Alfalfa belongs to the legume family, which includes beans, peas and clover. It is not a grass as some people believe. It is an excellent source of chlorophyll, potassium, magnesium and vitamins, especially beta-carotene and vitamin E! Alfalfa can be as beneficial to a person as eating a big green salad every day. It is an excellent way to prevent constipation and it becomes essential that arthritics keep their bowels moving easily to prevent the build up of toxins in their body. Alfalfa has a superb calcium to phosphorus ratio and it is the richest land source of the trace elements boron and silicon, both of which are valuable for bone integrity! One biochemist has observed that an essential alkaloid in the leaves of alfalfa works on the central nervous system to relieve minor pain. This may be part of the reason the plant is beneficial to arthritics. Alfalfa binds and neutralizes various types of agents that are known to be carcinogenic to the colon. It is “nature’s broom and deodorizer” which provides an excellent source of dietary fiber, chlorophyll, amino acids, and trace minerals. Overall, alfalfa is one of the most nutritious foods known. Alfalfa has always been an important part of our health-building program. ALFALFA CONTAINS: Twice as much calcium as an ordinary glass of milk As much protein as one hamburger Nearly the same amount of iron as two ounces of liver Enough B-complex for the most jangled nerves Plenty of enzymes for good metabolism of ingested fats Sufficient fiber to lower the highest cholesterol So what happens when we take alfalfa? Well, to start with, we just might start feeling much healthier! Alfalfa is so rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and digestive enzymes that it boggles the mind. The reason for this kaleidoscope of nutrients is the plant’s root, which can grow as far as 125 feet under ground, where it absorbs all of the natural minerals within the earth. Alfalfa contains vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, D, E, K and P, as well as niacin, pathothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, saponins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper. All this healthy stuff pulsates through the root and shoots up into the plant, filling the leaves and flowers with every last drop. Alfalfa has numerous herbal uses, but it really hits the jackpot when it comes to rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, heart problems, high blood pressure, labor and nursing, menopause, PMS and tooth decay. Rheumatoid Arthritis Arthritis (along with bursitis) is often caused by an overly acidic condition within the body. The acid settles in the joints, causing inflammation. Alfalfa won’t help with this problem is you consume sugar, white flour, processed chemical-laden foods, salt, caffeine and alcohol. But if you cut these out of your diet and add alfalfa to your daily regimen, you can gradually reduce the inflammation and alkalize the body to empty those nasty acid deposits. You can take it in either tablet or tea form. (To make teas, steep 1 teaspoon of the herb in 8 ounces of hot distilled water). You’ll need 9-18 tablets per day to benefit from the herb. If you prefer the tea, one to two cups a day is usually sufficient. Drink it first thing in the morning and during the afternoon. I don’t recommend it in the fluid extract form, because the alcohol will destroy many of its life-giving vitamins and enzymes. Start with two to three alfalfa tablets and increase to six or ten, then take that amount twice a day. The optimal dosage may be twenty to thirty tablets taken throughout the day, until your bowels are regular. Then cut back to three or four tablets a day. The tablets may be taken at any time in a day and are relatively inexpensive. Blood Pressure There is hard, scientific proof that alfalfa saponins can regulate high or low blood pressure, as well as inhibit high cholesterol by 25%. Alfalfa also works to strengthen the arteries and blood cells throughout the body, providing major support to the heart. Take three to four tablets a day or one cup of the tea first thing in the morning. Once again, diet plays a big role. Resistance to Disease It’s not exactly a stretch to say that any herb with this many vitamins and minerals is good for fighting off the latest cold or flu. So the next time “the bug” is buzzing around, try slipping one or two cups of the tea a day as a preventive. If you already have “the bug”, drink one to three cups a day---spread out over several hours---to fortify your system and get much-needed minerals and vitamins into your bloodstream. Labor & Nursing It might sound strange to add alfalfa ice cubes to the labor room inventory, but they’re a surprising aid for the mom-to-be. Make the ice cubes using the same formula as the tea. Sucking on the cubes during labor eases tension while replenishing the body with minerals and vitamins. Alfalfa also enriches mothers milk. Menopause Alfalfa is a phytosterol-rich herb---one that’s high in plant hormones that convert to human hormones in the body. For this reason, drinking 1 cup of alfalfa tea during menopause two weeks out of every month for three to four months can help to nourish the ovaries and adrenal glands as well as support the pituitary gland. Tooth Decay Many herbalists feel that taking two to three alfalfa tablets daily helps prevent cavities. In combination with proper dental care, alfalfa tends to ward off dental decay, especially for those people prone to problems no matter how well they take care of their teeth. Taken from: “Healing Power of Herbs” with Dr. John Heinerman “Aging Without Growing Old” with Judy Lindbergh McFarland “Nature’s Miracle Tonics” with Laurel Dewey, “The Humorous Herbalist”- Ms. Dewey’s column appears in newspapers and magazines nationwide. JoAnn Guest jogu- Friendsforhea- http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html theaimcompanies " Health is not a Medical Issue " The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO " Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen " Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future " http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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