Alfalfa or Lucerne

Alfalfa or lucerne belongs to the plant family Leguminosae or Fabaceae. It is a very well known plant, especially to the farmers. As it is a valuable source of vitamins A and E, it is cultivated as a legume fodder of cattle and horses. Many farmers use it to rotate their crops between this legume which is rich in nitrogen and a cereal crop. It also grows on the borders on fields and in law valleys and stands upright to a height of one metre. The tender leaves are consumed by some communities as vegetable. It produces oblong leaflets. The flowers are usually yellow or blue, in many flowered-racemes.
MEDICINAL USE:
*Appetizer, diuretic and tonic.
*Urinary and bowel problems.
*Arthritis.
*Restorative.

HOW TO USE:
*The tender shoots of Alfalfa are eaten as an appetizer, diuretic, and tonic.
*Alfalfa tea is commonly used as a beverage and it also has medicinal properties. It relieves urinary
  and bowel problems.
*It is very  beneficial for arthritis.
*The decoction of the plant is used in bath as a restorative to stimulate tired and painful feet and legs.
*The decoction of the plant is used as a tea to stimulate appetite.

PARTS USED:
*The whole plant.