The Alphalfa plant, commonly known as buffalo herb, Lucerne or purple medic, comes from the legumes family with broad clover like leaves containing high amounts of nutrients in them. The entire herb can be used dried for medicinal purposes or the blooms which can be collected at the beginning of the flowering season. Vitamin K is found in many green leafy plants but especially abundant in Alphlfa. It is one of the most nutritious foods known containing calcium, chlorophyll, carotene, and vitamin K. The Alphalfa root can inhibit the increase in blood cholesterol levels by 25% in experimental animals fed a high cholesterol diet. Young Alphalfa leaves have been used to treat throat disorders related to the digestive tract and the kidneys. The seeds can be used on boils as a poultice.
On a negative note the roots are said to be hemolytic (destroying red blood cells faster than the bone marrow can produce them) and may interfere with Vitamin E metabolism. Pregnant women should consult a practitioner before ingesting this plant in any form as the seeds are said to contain stachydrine and homostachydrine which promotes menstruation and in some cases can lead to miscarriages. 
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