Semester 4, Week 10, Day 5: Alfalfa

The kids are up so I'm up.  I have already done my new energy exercise routine and am now listening to meditative music. I have a line-up of three or four of them right now before I listen to my normal video channels each day.  It does help a bit. My daughter asked me for popcorn for breakfast.  I asked her if she wanted an English muffin or toast.  The English muffin just popped up!  They had homemade mac and cheese with chicken last night for dinner. She actually sat and ate at the table. My son devoured his as though he had not eaten all day. That little boy can EAT.

I did make progress on that essay for toxicology yesterday.  I plan to finish it today and get that quiz done then start work on the stuff for the next module. I already have the discussion post done for the capstone, I just need to read the papers written by others and there are none posted yet.  The next module of Health and Wellness will have the last installment of the interviews. I will make myself a checklist and do the best I can since I will lose points off the top for the kids. I need to see when it's due.  I think it's the second week of the module which means I will have a discussion post to do first. I just looked.  That is the next thing due for that class.  I guess I'll check my sister's schedule! I have to have everything that is due by the 28th done by the 21st for studying. It looks doable. Love and Light!

On to alfalfa!

Constituents: Heinermann (1996) doesn’t go into the normal constituents but nutrients count and he gives the data per the USDA daily allowances for these.  Vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, E, K1, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, folic acid, and essential and non-essential amino acids.  There are up to 25% of the needed proteins, minerals and trace elements like calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, etc. In the chart here, he compares different things but I’m only going to put alfalfa here: Protein: 10%, Calcium: 75%, iodine: 0%, Iron: 85%, Magnesium: 45%, Phosphorous: 25%, and sodium: 0% (p. 9).  Chevallier (2016) says isoflavones, coumarins, alkaloids, vitamins, and polyphyrins. The coumarins and isoflavones are considered estrogenic (p. 233).

Therapeutic Actions: Diuretic

Indications: kidney/bladder/prostate conditions, menopausal symptoms, asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, indigestion, and thrombocytopenic purpura. Oral source of vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron (Natural Medicine Monograph). Heinermann (1996) mentions recent studies by nutritionists indicating this reduces atherosclerosis, 2 capsules every meal.  He states the manganese levels help with diabetics who don’t respond well to insulin, 2 capsules, 2-3 times per day. In food, he says use sprouts of alfalfa instead of lettuce for increased nutrition.  Because of the mineral content, Heinermann also mentions studies which show this plant helps with depression (p. 8-10). Chevallier (2016) adds it lowers cholesterol and may help with menstruation and menopause (p. 234).

Safety/Precautions/Counterindications: Do not use chronically. Unknown safety for pregnancy/lactation and there is a potential estrogen issue (Natural Medicine Monograph). The monograph also mentions this herb can be contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, and listeria which results in infections. Chevallier (2016) adds a few things here. Do not take with anti-coagulants such as warfarin. Don’t take the sprouted seeds if there is immune suppression. Do not use large amounts if pregnant or with an autoimmune illness (p. 234).

Have a Great Day!