Alfalfa by Wanderer MoonChild

Botanical Basics

1. Common Name(s): Alfalfa
2. Folk Name(s): Lucerne, Buffalo Herb, Purple Medic, Chilean Clover
3. Scientific/Latin Name: Medicago sativa
4. Family: Fabaceae (Legume/Pea family)
5. Plant Type: Perennial herb/forage legume
6. Botanical Description: Upright plant reaching 2–3 feet tall. Leaves are trifoliate (three-part), oval, and slightly toothed. Purple to blue-violet pea-like flowers bloom in clusters, followed by spiraled seed pods. Deep taproot system can reach over 15 feet.
7. Growing Zones/Climate: Hardy in USDA Zones 2–9.
8. Best Zones for Growth: Thrives in temperate to warm climates with adequate water but tolerates drought once established.
9. Habitat & Range: Native to western Asia (Iran region). Widely cultivated across North and South America, Europe, and Asia as a forage and cover crop.

Cultivation & Harvest

1. Soil & Sun Requirements: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil; neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Needs full sun.
2. Propagation: By seed, sown directly in fields or gardens. Self-seeding under proper conditions.
3. Companion Planting: Fixes nitrogen in soil—improves fertility for nearby crops. Works well before heavy-feeding plants (corn, brassicas).
4. Harvesting Guidelines: Cut aerial parts (leaves and stems) just before flowering for highest nutrient content. Can be harvested multiple times per season.
5. Drying/Preservation: Air-dry leaves and stems in shade; store dried herb in airtight containers. Sprouts preserved best fresh.

Traditional & Historical Use

1. Cultural Significance: Used for over 6,000 years as livestock feed, valued for fertility and abundance. Introduced to Europe from Persia in antiquity. Became a symbol of agricultural prosperity.
2. Traditional Medicine: Used in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Western herbal traditions as a nutritive tonic for vitality and overall health.
3. Symbolism: Represents abundance, prosperity, and resilience due to deep roots and nourishing quality.

Medicinal & Practical Properties

1. Active Constituents: Vitamins (A, C, E, K), minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium), protein, saponins, flavonoids, phytoestrogens, chlorophyll.
2. Medicinal Uses:
   
3. Nutritive tonic (supports vitality, recovery, malnutrition)
4. Balances hormones (phytoestrogens for menopause, PMS)
5. Aids digestion and appetite
6. Supports bone and joint health (rich calcium and magnesium)
7. Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar in some studies
   
8. Preparation Methods: Infusions (tea), tinctures, capsules, fresh sprouts, powdered dried leaves.
9. Dosage & Guidelines:
   
10. Tea: 1–2 tsp dried herb per cup, steep 10–15 minutes
11. Fresh sprouts: ¼–½ cup daily as food
12. Tincture: 2–4 ml up to 3x daily
    
13. Safety/Precautions: Avoid during pregnancy (stimulates uterus). Those with autoimmune conditions or taking blood thinners should use caution due to immune effects and high vitamin K content.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

1. Elemental Association: Earth
2. Planetary/Deity Correspondence: Venus & Mercury; connected with agricultural deities and Earth goddesses
3. Magical Correspondences: Prosperity, money drawing, abundance, protection from poverty, healing, grounding
4. Ritual Use: Keep in a jar or sachet in the pantry for prosperity; sprinkle in the home to ward off hunger and misfortune; burn with other herbs in abundance rituals.
5. Symbolism in Divination/Dreams: Suggests stability, growth, abundance, or renewal after difficulty.

Ecological & Culinary Uses

1. Pollinator Value: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; important for honey production.
2. Wildlife Uses: Provides forage for livestock, wildlife, and beneficial insects. Improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
3. Culinary Uses: Young sprouts eaten raw in salads and sandwiches. Dried leaves can be powdered into smoothies, teas, or capsules as a supplement.

Household/Practical Uses

1. Quick Uses:
   
2. Nourishing tea or powder for daily vitality
3. Sprouts for kitchen use
4. Prosperity charm herb
5. 
   
6. Notable Traits: One of the oldest cultivated forage crops; deep roots bring up nutrients from soil.
7. Special Notes: Sometimes used in ritual to “root abundance” due to deep-growing taproot.

Fast Facts

1. Known as the “Father of All Foods” (from Arabic al-fal-fa)
2. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins
3. Both a magical prosperity herb and a nutritive tonic

Supporting Notes

1. Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing, 2016.
2. Grieve, Maud. A Modern Herbal. 1931.
3. Duke, James. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press, 2002.
4. Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn, 1985.