Alfalfa Sprouts are one of the most complete and most concentrated sources of nutritional foods on the planet especially broccoli-sprouts.
• Alfalfa is a perennial herb growing to 32 in (80 cm) having 3-lobed leaves, flowers that range in colour from yellow to Violet-blue, and spiraling seed pods, native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, found in meadows and in both open and cultivated areas.
Plant Description
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
Usable Parts
• Aerial parts, seeds, sprouting seeds. It is harvested in summer.
Directions of Preparation
Recommended Dosage
• Dried herb – 5–10 g as an infusion three times daily.
• Liquid extract – 5–10 mL (1 : 1 in 25% Alcohol) three times daily.
Its Active Constituents:
• Alfalfa contains Isoflavones, Coumarins, Alkaloids, Vitamins, and porphyrins. The Isoflavones and Coumarins are estrogenic.
• Acids(lauric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, myristic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid and quinic acid)
• Alkaloids (pyrrolidine-type [e.g. stachydrine, homostachydrine], pyridine-type [e.g. trigonelline] in the seeds only).
• Amino Acids (Arginine, Asparagine [high concentration in seeds], cystine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan and Valine).
• Canavanine (The non-Protein toxic Amino Acids) is present in leaves, stems and seeds.
• Coumarins (Medicagol).
• Isoflavonoids (Coumestrol, biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin and genistein).
• Saponins (aglycones, medicagenic acid, soyasapogenols A–F and hederagenin).
• Steroids (campesterol, cycloartenol, Beta-Sitosterol [major component], alpha-spinasterol and stigmasterol.
• Other constituents Carbohydrates (e.g. arabinose, fructose, sucRose, xylose), Vitamins (A, B1, B6, B12, C, E, K), Pectin methylesterase, pigments (e.g. chlorophyll, xanthophyll, Beta-Carotene, Anthocyanins), Proteins, Minerals and trace elements.
• Alfalfa Sprouts is excellent in Vitamin K.
• Alfalfa Sprouts is very good in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5.
• Alfalfa Sprouts has average trace of Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin A, Phosphorus, Manganese, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1.
Note:
* Alfalfa should be prepared properly and eaten in moderation, in order to avoid toxicity that can occur when eating raw Alfalfa Sprouts, as it can interrupt the Amino Acids balance in the body, even causing inflammation and lupus-like symptoms.
Health Benefits of Alfalfa Sprouts
Anti-Aging
• Alfalfa Sprouts are a proven high anti-oxidant food, which helps protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals.
• Anti-oxidants promote better health and can prevent a number of diseases and illnesses, such as Cancer and heart disease.
• Its Vitamin K levels not only Fight Vitamin K deficiency, but also help prevent diseases connected to aging (Osteoporosis, Cancer, artery hardening, etc.).
Foods & Bones
Bones
• The body needs Vitamin K to adequately utilize the Calcium which builds Bones, hence it’s essential in preventing and even treating Osteoporosis.
• Alfalfa Sprouts also have a notable amount of Manganese, which is also an essential nutrient in preventing Osteoporosis and inflammation.
Foods & Bones
Cancer & Tumor Prevention
• Alfalfa Sprouts are a great source of Isoflavones and other Phytoestrogens (Plant Compounds that mimic human estrogen), thus help reduce risk of Breast Cancer.
Foods & Cancer
Circulatory System
• Alfalfa Sprouts is anti-anemic and tonic, where it contain almost 1 mg/100 g of Iron (approximate to Beef) and Vitamin C (facilitates Iron absorption).
Foods & Circulatory System
Diabetes
• While there is no cure for Diabetes, regulating the disease naturally can be achieved through diet.
• Its a successful anti-diabetic (able to lower blood glucose levels) and regulating blood sugar levels is imperative in treating Diabetes.
• Using food items like Alfalfa Sprouts helps decrease the dependency on insulin.
Foods & Diabetes
Immune System
• Sprouts are rich with enzymes, Vitamins, Amino Acids and a concentrated amounts of Phytochemicals that can have strong protective effects against disease.
• Its a source of Saponins (an important class of Phytochemical and a kind of natural detergent). Its a source of Saponins which have a strong effect on the Immune System, where they function as a kind of “natural Anti-Biotic”.
• Saponins bind with Cholesterol, preventing it from being reabsorbed into the system and may lower the risk of human Cancers.
Note:
* Cancer cells have more Cholesterol-type compounds in their membranes than normal cells and Saponins can interfere with cell growth and division.
Foods & Immune System
Women Health
• Alfalfa Sprout‘s high levels of Vitamin K and Phytoestrogens, can help women minimize symptoms related to Menopause and menstruation.
• Vitamin K (a blood-clotting vitamin) can help with excessive bleeding.
• The combination of Vitamin K and Phytoestrogens has an effect on regulating estrogen, which could help minimize PMS and symptoms of Menopause.
Foods & Women Health
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Alfalfa
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
(per 100g) of
Alfalfa Seed (Sprouts)
