ashvakshura :

General Use:

Dye/tanning
Flour/starch
Fodder/animal feed
Forage
Soil improvement

Alfalfa plant contains many essential nutrients. The roots of the plant can borrow up to the depth of almost twelve meters into the soil, and bring up trace minerals, which are of great importance to health. The alfalfa plant supplies almost all the vitamins, namely, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamins C, E, and K. It is high in protein and calcium. The sun-dried hay of alfalfa is said be a good source of vitamin D, vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. These nutrients make alfalfa have enormous health benefits. The best way to have alfalfa is in the form of sprouts that have been rinsed thoroughly to remove mould. Alfalfa seeds should not be eaten unless sprouted because they contain high levels of the toxic amino acid, canavanine. You can also take it in the form of a tablet.

Therapeutic Uses:

relieve water retention, arthritis, ulcers, purifying the blood, food digestion, assimilation, kidney problems

Kaphvatshamak, rochan, hridya, twakroghara, jwaraghna.

Systemic Use:

Digestive system: it is a specific remedy for diarrhea and dysentery.

Respiratory system: it is useful in phthisis pulmonalis and skin diseases

Pharmacological:

Fruit is cholagogue, cooling, demulcent, emollient and anti scorbutic. Bark and leaves are astringent. Oil is emollient and soothing

Makes skin radiant

The chlorophyll in alfalfa is rich in Vitamin A and enzymes. This makes skin radiant on the outside and healthy on the inside.

Improves hair health

Vitamins B1 and B6 present in alfalfa result in excellent hair growth. It also improves the texture of hair. Alfalfa also contains enzymes that prevent baldness and hair loss. The presence of proteins helps hair growth while the presence of minerals such as calcium, zinc, silica make hair stronger and better. Silica prevents hair loss and baldness.

Helps prevents cholesterol

Alfalfa reduces bad cholesterol in the body and prevents cholesterol keves in the body from going too high, thereby also reducing the risk of heart diseases.

Used in treatment for digestive problems

Alfalfa is an effective treatment for digestive problems. It prevents indigestion, bloating, gastritis, stomach ulcers, nausea, etc. alfalfa has a high fibre content and therefore also reduces chronic constipation.

Helps clean the body

Daily intake of alfalfa can greatly detoxify and cleanse the body from the inside.

Used to prevent cancer

Risk of cancer can be reduced by the consumption of alfalfa daily. It contains an amino acid called canavanine which is known to prevent the risk of cancer. It also helps in the binding of carcinogens that are present in the colon.

Maintains kidney and urinary health

Alfalfa has diuretic properties which help prevent any problems in the kidney such as water retention. Alfalfa is also known to prevent UTI or Urinary Tract Infection.

Reduces bleeding

Alfalfa is rich in chlorophyll, iron and Vitamin K. These help in producing extra blood in the body and the plant is also used to treat nosebleeds, anemia, bleeding gums and poor clotting of blood.

Lowers blood sugar

Phytonutrients in alfalfa such as L-canavanine and chlorophyll help in increasing immunity. It also lowers blood sugar, prevents Type-II diabetes, adult-onset diabetes and many more.

Prevents kidney stones

Alfalfa also prevents kidney stones and gravel, arthrosis, arthritis, oedema, heavy metal poisoning, varicoseulcers, etc. It is also used to treat loss of energy, fatigue, nausea, memory weakness and decrease in alertness, decreased thyroid function, brittle nails, split hair ends, night blindness, dental problems and lessened production or poor quality of breast milk.