Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Posted September 15, 2004 Recently I did a check for alfafa in chinese herbs dictionary. Alfafa is known as Mu4 Shu4. It is not a common herb but it seems to become a popular dietary supplement nowadays. Scientific name: Medicago sativa Thermal qual.: neutral Taste: slightly bitter Primary function: Li4 Da4 Xiao3 Chang2 (Enhances function of small and large instestines) Secondary function: Relive urinary tract problem Personally I bought some alfafa pills and tried it by taking 3-4 pills every night. My own experience suggests that the thermal quality is towards the neutral side. However, it seems to be a bit on the dry side - may be related to its diuretic property as reported by the Western research. As alfafa pills are inexpensive and readily available, I am thinking it can be used in conjunction with other TCM herbs e.g. " Bao He Wan " in treating food retention. I would be grateful if any of you will share your experience in prescribing alfafa to your patients (either in the WM or TCM context). Quote
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Posted September 15, 2004 I used to use it treating a type of constipation before learning tui-na and acupuncture. I believe the rich fiber in it helps elimination. Mike L. Tan Jit Kiat <jitkiatt wrote: Recently I did a check for alfafa in chinese herbs dictionary. Alfafa is known as Mu4 Shu4. It is not a common herb but it seems to become a popular dietary supplement nowadays. Scientific name: Medicago sativa Thermal qual.: neutral Taste: slightly bitter Primary function: Li4 Da4 Xiao3 Chang2 (Enhances function of small and large instestines) Secondary function: Relive urinary tract problem Personally I bought some alfafa pills and tried it by taking 3-4 pills every night. My own experience suggests that the thermal quality is towards the neutral side. However, it seems to be a bit on the dry side - may be related to its diuretic property as reported by the Western research. As alfafa pills are inexpensive and readily available, I am thinking it can be used in conjunction with other TCM herbs e.g. " Bao He Wan " in treating food retention. I would be grateful if any of you will share your experience in prescribing alfafa to your patients (either in the WM or TCM context). Quote
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Posted September 15, 2004 I give it to some of my patients for arthritis, works very well for damp heat type Quote
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2004 Report Posted September 16, 2004 In a message dated 9/16/2004 7:00:45 AM Eastern Daylight Time, DrSpohn writes: I give it to some of my patients for arthritis, works very well for damp heat type Tea. caps, quantity? Chris Quote
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2004 Report Posted September 16, 2004 > I give it to some of my patients for arthritis, works very well for damp heat > type You decoct this? Normal doses in combination? ************************* David Bruce Leonard, L.Ac. Medicine at your Feet http://www.medicineatyourfeet.com Quote
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2004 Report Posted September 17, 2004 Using Alfalfa or Alfafa are we talking about the same thing here? Quote
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