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What is Alfalfa Tea?

S. Gonzales
S. Gonzales

Alfalfa, scientific name Medicago sativa, is a perennial legume and member of the pea family that finds its roots in Asia and Europe. Records indicate that it was used by the ancient Romans as horse feed as early as 490 B.C. Since then, cultures around the world have found ways to include alfalfa in everyday life, including creating teas to use as herbal medicines and gardening aids.

The nutritional benefits of alfalfa tea are numerous. Alfalfa is a rich source of dietary fiber and chlorophyll and contains a not unsubstantial amount of calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, silicon and Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K and G. Alfalfa herbal medicine has been used as a curative for dropsy, arthritis, lactation problems, hair loss, insect bites, high blood pressure and disorders of the heart, stomach, and respiratory system.

Teas made from alfalfa can help alleviate common problems like appetite loss and low weight.
Teas made from alfalfa can help alleviate common problems like appetite loss and low weight.

For the average person, teas made out of alfalfa can help alleviate common problems like appetite loss, low weight and the improper absorption of important proteins and nutrients like calcium and iron. A simple tea can be created by boiling one or two alfalfa leaves in 1 quart (950 ml) of water for half an hour. Alfalfa's intense flavor can be modified by adding mint or lemongrass to the tea. Those with severe conditions may drink the tea every day and throughout the day for no more than two weeks until their symptoms subside.

Alfalfa tea can stimulate growth in roses.
Alfalfa tea can stimulate growth in roses.

Despite its many benefits, anyone who is interested in ingesting alfalfa tea for medicinal purposes should be warned against using alfalfa powder to create the tea. Taking the powder may produce systemic lupus-like symptoms that can result in joint pain. Unlike alfalfa powder, a few alfalfa leaves don't contain enough amino acids to encourage the symptoms. Eating alfalfa seeds is also discouraged, as it can result in miscarriages, blood disorders and immunity problems.

Eating alfalfa seeds is discouraged, as it can result in miscarriages.
Eating alfalfa seeds is discouraged, as it can result in miscarriages.

In addition to being used as an herbal medicine, a type of gardening alfalfa tea can help roses grow. Alfalfa contains plant-friendly nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc and Vitamins A, D, B1, B6, E, K and U and releases tricontanol, a fatty acid growth stimulant. Rose gardeners take advantage of these properties by giving their flowers alfalfa to promote their vitality. Alfalfa tea has traditionally been thought to work better than chemical fertilizers, since it can be used during any season without fear of overstimulating the plant's growth.

Alfalfa tea contains medicinal properties.
Alfalfa tea contains medicinal properties.

Gardening alfalfa tea is made by filling a 30 pound (13.60 kg) garbage can with water, placing 3 cups (709.76 ml) to 5 cups (1.18 l) of alfalfa meal into the can, covering the can and leaving it in the sun for three to five days. Daily stirrings take place to help separate the organic material from the water's surface. The process is completed when the liquid turns orange, organic material sinks to the bottom and foam forms at the water's surface. Five gallons (18.92 l) of fresh water is poured into the can to make up for the evaporated liquid, cool down the tea and help ensure that the tea won't damage plant roots. The addition of 1 cup (236.58 ml) of a water-soluble fertilizer, Epsom salt and fish emulsion can fortify the alfalfa tea before gardeners give 1/2 gallon (1.89 l) of alfalfa tea to miniature roses and 1 gallon (3.78 l) to large roses.

Alfalfa tea may help prevent further hair loss.
Alfalfa tea may help prevent further hair loss.

Once done, the garbage can containing the remnants of the organic material can be refilled with water and the process started again for another batch of alfalfa tea. However, a third extraction using the same organic material is advised against. After the second extraction of tea has been completed, gardeners can choose to plant the organic material into their roses' soil or simply dispose of it in a waste receptacle.

Discussion Comments

CellMania

Thanks for the informative article and posts! I think I might try to make some alfalfa leaf tea!

SnowyWinter

I have had kidney problems for many years and my sister recommended drinking alfalfa tea along with my daily exercise and diet.

I found that I didn’t particularly care for the flavor of alfalfa tea because it seemed to have a strong vegetable-like taste. I started experimenting a little with different flavors and found that adding a drop of peppermint extract and some ice completely changes the taste and makes for a refreshing summer beverage!

cmsmith10

I have been drinking alfalfa tea for many years and love it. I wanted to give a little piece of advice: don’t drink it more than a couple of days during the week. Otherwise, you can have a very bloated feeling.

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    • Teas made from alfalfa can help alleviate common problems like appetite loss and low weight.
      By: Sunny Forest
      Teas made from alfalfa can help alleviate common problems like appetite loss and low weight.
    • Alfalfa tea can stimulate growth in roses.
      By: Studio Porto Sabbia
      Alfalfa tea can stimulate growth in roses.
    • Eating alfalfa seeds is discouraged, as it can result in miscarriages.
      By: inesbazdar
      Eating alfalfa seeds is discouraged, as it can result in miscarriages.
    • Alfalfa tea contains medicinal properties.
      By: Kesu
      Alfalfa tea contains medicinal properties.
    • Alfalfa tea may help prevent further hair loss.
      By: maska82
      Alfalfa tea may help prevent further hair loss.
    • Alfalfa tea may be used to aid in reducing the symptoms of some stomach disorders.
      By: ryanking999
      Alfalfa tea may be used to aid in reducing the symptoms of some stomach disorders.
    • Alfalfa may help reduce itching, redness and irritation caused by mosquito bites.
      By: CedarchisCociredeF
      Alfalfa may help reduce itching, redness and irritation caused by mosquito bites.