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Botanical Name: Medicago Satina
Family Nmae: Leguminosae , the pea family
Alfalfa appears to have been discovered by the Arabs who called it the "king of kings" of the plants and the "father of all foods". They have been used it for centuries to feed thoroughbred horses. Alfalfa is a native of Europe. It is now widely cultivated in the temperate regions, the subtropics and at higher altitudes in the tropics. It is grown throughout India.
Alfalfa is a valuable source of vitamins A, B, D, E and G. It also has some vitamins C and K. The rich quality, quantity and proper balance od calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, potassium and silicon is of special value in alfalfa. All these elements are needed for the proper functioning of the various organs in the body.
Alfalfa is one of the richest sources of dietary fibre and chlorophyl. These nutrients have induced nutritional authorities to experiment with Alfalfa as a ready form of easily digestible food and as a protein concentrate for supplementing proyein deficient foods such as vegetables.
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