ALFALFA
(medicago sativa)
What's good for cattle is good for you too, or so thought the ancient Chinese. Their animals ate alfalfa so enthusiastically that the Chinese began preparing the herb's tender young leaves as a vegetable. Soon, traditional Chinese physicians were using the plant to stimulate appetite and to treat digestive problems, particulary ulcers. Animal studies show that alfalfa leaves help reduce cholesterol levels and plaque deposits on artey walls. Alfalfa has been used by the Chinese since the sixth century to treat kidney stones, and to relieve fluid retention and swelling. It is a perennial herb that grows throughout the world in a variety of climates. Alfalfa grows to about 3 feet and has blue- violet flowers that bloom from July to September. First discovered by the Arabs, they dubbed this valuable plant the "father of all foods". They fed alfalfa to their horses claiming it made the animals swift and strong. The leaves of the alfalfa plant are rich in minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and carotene (useful against both heart disease and cancer).
	The leaves of this remarkable legume contain eight essential amino acids. Alfalfa is a good laxative and a natural diuretic. It is useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections, and kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders. Alkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Promotes pituitary gland function and contains an anti-fungus agent. This versatile herb is also a folk remedy for arthritis, diabetes, asthma, hay fever, and is reputed to be an excellent appetite stimulant and overall tonic.
Alfalfa seeds contain two chemicals, stachydrine and homstchydrine, that promote menstruation. They can aslo cause miscarriage, which is why pregnant women should not eat alfalfa seeds. Nor should women consider the herb a reliable contraceptive. Alfalfa is a source of chlorophyll, the active ingredient in most commercial breath freshners. Sip an alfalfa infusion if you are concerned about bad breath. 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water and seep for 10-20 minutes. Enjoy up to 3 cups a day. The infusion has a haylike aroma and tastes like chamomile, with a slightly bitter after taste. Do not give an infusion to children under 2 and for people over 65, start with a low strength preperation.
ALOE VERA
(aloe vera)
Every kitchen should have a potted Aloe sitting on the windowsill. So when minor burns, scalds, cuts or insect bites occur, it is easy just to cut off one of the plants thick fleshy leaves and scrape out the gel to ease the injury. Aloe gel dries to a natural bandage, helping to promote healing and prevent infection. The word "Aloe" comes form the Arabic "alloeh" meaning "bitter and sweet" Drawings of Aloe have been found back as far as Egyptian times, in temples dating back to 3000BC. The Greek phsician "Dioscorides" recommened Aloe for internally for wounds, haemorrihoids, ulcers and hair loss. The Roamn naturalist "Pliny" prescribed it internally to use as a laxative, tho many authorities these days say it should not be used internally. Use aloe to soothe wounds, including burns, scalds, scrapes, sunburn and to help prevent sunburn. Select an older (lower) leaf and cut off several inches. Slice it lengthways and scoop the gel onto the wound. Be sure to clean the wound first. As for the leaves, it will quickly close its own wound and you can use the rest at a later date. To make a salve; remove the thin outer skin and process the leaves in a blender, add 500 units of vitamin C powder to each cup and store in refrigerator.
	Aloe is th eperfect plant for all people, including those with brown thumbs. It requires just a little water and nothing else. It does prefer the sun, but tolerates shade well, making an ideal indoor plant. It doesn't even mind poor soil, but it does not like poor drainage or cold weather. Bring him inside if the temperature drops below 4°C.
Aloe at times produces babies, which are easy to remove and replant once they are a few inches tall, uproot the whole plant, seperate gently, return Mother to her pot, and replant the babies in their new homes.
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