Herbs Guide

Alfalfa

Family Name: Papilioaceae

Botanical Name(s): Medicago Saliva

Popular Name(s): Lucerne, Chilean Clover and Buffalo Grass, Father of All Foods (Al-fal-fa), Buffalo Herb, Lucerne, Purple Medic.

Parts Used: The stems and leaves are used as well as the sprouts from the seeds.

Habitat: It is native to Asia

Description: It is a slim bushy perennial with blue-green trifoliate leaves and mauve to purple flowers with seeds in sickle-shaped pods.

Uses: Alfalfa has been used traditionally for treating infections resulting from surgical incisions, bedsores and inner ear problems. Early Americans used alfalfa to treat arthritis, boils, cancer, scurvy, and urinary and bowel problems.