Properties of alfalfa for health

Alfalfa is a plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. They usually reach between 30 and 60 cm in height, whose leaves are 5 to 20 mm long and 3 to 10 mm wide. Its corolla is about 6 to 12 mm long, characterized by a pale lavender violet and contains a fruit of about 4 to 7 mm in diameter, which is free of thorns and has a spiral shape.

Currently it is widely cultivated worldwide to be administered as livestock feed and, in addition, it has a life cycle of between 5 and 12 years depending on its variety and the climate in which it grows.

One of the most popular properties of alfalfa is to lose weight. This plant has a powerful diuretic effect that gives it the ability to prevent fluid retention and, on the contrary, stimulate the elimination of fluids. In this way, it is effective in purifying the body of toxins and avoiding the typical swelling of the belly, more common in women than in men.

The explanation that supports the property of alfalfa to lose weight is its content in amino acids arginine and asparagine , in addition to being rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, as well as caffeic and ascorbic acids, which give it a diuretic effect. Therefore, one of the tips to avoid fluid retention is to prepare an alfalfa infusion.

If you are one of those people who like to take care of themselves with completely natural remedies, you are going to love this point. Why? The properties of alfalfa for hair are due to its richness in minerals and vitamins, necessary for proper health. Likewise, it is also beneficial for the nails and skin, so it can be a very complete home remedy. In order to benefit from the properties of alfalfa for hair, we can incorporate this plant into salads or consume it through tablets. In this way, we will obtain stronger and healthier hair.

If you want to ensure the health of your hair, we recommend this article about foods to strengthen hair .

Alfalfa has also been used in cases of diabetes. This plant has hypoglycemic properties that help reduce the amount of sugar in the blood . Therefore, it can be effective in enhancing the effect of antidiabetics by incorporating it into the dose of medication. The properties of alfalfa for diabetes are due to its richness in manganese, a mineral that acts as a hypeglycemic agent, which, as we have explained previously, acts on blood sugar levels.

Before you start consuming alfalfa for this purpose it is important to visit your doctor.

Alfalta is rich in saponins, a glycoside with effects similar to those of soap, which together with fiber is capable of fighting cholesterol in the intestine , something positive for people who suffer from this condition. Also, alfalfa contains coumarins, an organic chemical compound with anticoagulant properties present in some plants. As a consequence, the moderate consumption of alfalfa can be effective in preventing the formation of clots in the arteries and preventing heart problems such as the well-known myocardial infarction .

To obtain the properties of alfalfa and take care of our cardiovascular health, we must prepare an infusion of this plant twice a day. However, as we recommended in the previous point, consult your doctor before consuming it.

On the other hand, alfalfa is also effective in controlling bleeding because it is rich in vitamin K. This vitamin is necessary for the liver to produce the hormone that is involved in blood clotting. For this reason, a vitamin K deficiency can mean clotting problems. Using alfalfa can improve clotting problems such as nosebleeds, bruising, vaginal bleeding, and hemorrhoids.

Alfalfa contains a lot of vitamin C, essential for the formation of proteins, the production of ligaments, tendons, blood vessels and the repair of bones and teeth. For this reason, it has been used to combat the lack of this vitamin and prevent conditions such as scurvy, as well as to alleviate the symptoms of conditions such as the flu and the cold. In this article you can find a list of foods rich in vitamin C .

On the other hand, alfalfa, as it contains a variety of minerals, proteins and vitamins, is also used as a general restorative tonic . For this reason it is recommended in case of lack of energy, weakness or anorexia, among others. Thus, for example, being very rich in calcium it has been used to prevent or treat cases of osteoporosis , and being rich in iron it is also effective in cases of anemia.

Although the properties of alfalfa are widely used and positive health effects can be obtained, a series of precautions should be taken into account in relation to its contraindications.

• People who suffer from problems in the immune system , such as people with AIDS, the elderly, or those who suffer from infections should avoid consuming this fresh or dried plant.
• Autoimmune diseases . In the case of suffering from autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis or lupus , the consumption of alfalfa is not recommended, since the canavanin contained in this plant could cause outbreaks of the disease.
• Corticosteroid treatment . Alfalfa could intervene with corticodies, so its consumption should be avoided during treatment.
• Anticoagulants . If you are undergoing any treatment with anticoagulants, the consumption of alfalfa is not recommended, since it could interfere with vitamin K and coumarins.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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