Lucerne is a semi-shrub of the legume family. This is a fairly thermophilic plant, known for about 6-7 centuries. Originally used as a feed material for animals, as the combination of nutrients in the composition of alfalfa contributed to the good growth and development of livestock. Also, alfalfa was added to the poultry feed. A little later, the useful properties of alfalfa found application as a useful food supplement to the human diet.
Therapeutic properties of alfalfa
Six centuries ago, ancient Chinese healers used the properties of alfalfa grass to remove kidney stones and as a diuretic that removes swelling. To date, alfalfa sowing is cultivated not only for the needs of agriculture, but also for human use as a medicinal product.
The composition of alfalfa includes an abundance of vitamins and minerals:
- calcium;
- iron;
- copper;
- manganese;
- silicon;
- zinc;
- carotene;
- phosphorus;
- vitamins of group B;
- a nicotinic acid;
- pantothenic acid.
Thanks to hormone-like substances, alfalfa perfectly copes with the climacteric troubles and menstrual irregularities. The use of alfalfa during pregnancy helps to provide the future child with useful substances for building strong bone tissue, and during lactation - it stimulates the production of milk.
Useful properties of alfalfa sowing help in the fight against diseases such as:
- violation of hormonal balance;
- increased cholesterol;
- diabetes;
- symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis;
- anemia ;
- inflammatory skin diseases (furuncles, acne);
- diseases of the digestive tract (indigestion, frustration, loss of appetite, poor digestibility);
- problems of the genitourinary system and many others.
Also, studies conducted at the National Cancer Institute (USA) recorded the ability of alfalfa to neutralize carcinogens in the stomach and help in removing them from the body.
The medicinal properties of alfalfa grass allow it to be used as a biological supplement to eliminate general fatigue, loss of strength, nervous exhaustion.
Freshly used buds and the first shoots of the plant for adding to salads. It is very useful to include fresh alfalfa in the diet after the diseases that have been transferred - it will naturally help the rapid recovery of forces.
At the moment, alfalfa can be bought in pharmacy variations:
- dry grass - for making infusions and broths;
- tablets or capsules;
- powder (made from juice leaves of alfalfa).
Application of alfalfa seed for skin care
Decoction of alfalfa will help in caring for any type of facial skin. For this:
- A tablespoon of herbs pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 25-30 minutes.
- Strain.
- The resulting infusion can be used as a lotion after washing.
After soaking the gauze with this infusion, you can make a rejuvenating compress. It is applied for 3-5 minutes, alternating with rubbing the face with a piece of ice . The procedure should be repeated 2-3 times. After that, the face is washed and a moisturizer is applied.
And adding honey, you will get a mask that has moisturizing properties and well removes swelling.
Rinsing hair after washing with alfalfa decoction will promote their strengthening and growth.
Contraindications to the use of alfalfa
Despite the abundance of useful properties of alfalfa, there are some contraindications. It categorically can not be used for lupus. In the presence of other autoimmune diseases, you should consult with your doctor before taking alfalfa. Perhaps the manifestation of allergic reactions, so taking medications or infusions follows from small doses.