To some of you, alfalfa may bring thoughts of a type of hay or a character from the Little Rascals, but I’d like to introduce you to the real powerhouse among herbs. Alfalfa means “Father of All Foods” and deserves its name!

Alfalfa is a member of the pea family. It has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicines for digestive complaints and arthritis. But since this is spring allergy season, I thought you’d like to hear about my most recommended solution. Alfalfa’s special claim to fame is not only high level of nutrients but also how easily the body can absorb and assimilate them.

Here’s how alfalfa can help support the body in specific ways:

Nutritional Benefits of Alfalfa

Alfalfa contains a wide variety of minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements. It is also a good source of vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting.

It also contains essential amino acids that are not made by the body but must be obtained from food sources. And it contains the highest chlorophyll content of any plant.

Alfalfa does an especially good job of:

  • cleansing the blood
  • alleviating allergies
  • promoting healthy blood clotting
  • supporting healthy digestion
  • easing morning sickness
  • reducing cholesterol and blood pressure
  • increasing milk supply during nursing
  • relieving all forms of arthritis
  • easing menopause symptoms

Alfalfa Sprouts

Consuming fresh alfalfa sprouts raw in a salad or lightly steamed is another option. Check out my post about sprouting here.

Supplementation

When looking for pure, potent and safe supplements, look no further than the Shaklee Corporation. They have been my brand partner for years and I highly recommend one of their signature products – Alfalfa Complex.

Alfalfa is a storehouse of nutrients, and the tap root reaches down as deep as 20 feet searching out nutrients and minerals from deposits in the soil, while its leaves gather large amounts of chlorophyll through the natural process of photosynthesis.

Shaklee’s Alfalfa Complex provides a wide variety of nutrients including calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, chlorophyll, and bioflavonoids. For more information on Alfalfa Complex, go here.

Smoothies

Due to its mild spearmint flavor, I also add the Alfalfa Complex to my green smoothies. Mix it with a chocolate protein powder and it tastes like a Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie!

The Bottom Line on Using Alfalfa

There’s a reason cultures have been using alfalfa for centuries. It’s one of the foundations of our food chain and a vital source of vitamins and chlorophyll. Adding it into your diet in the ways described above can improve health and energy with few side effects or risks. Give it a try!