Alfalfa: What It Is and How to Use It
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a flowering plant in the legume family, grown for thousands of years as both animal forage and a human herbal remedy — its leaves and sprouts are the parts most often used in teas and supplements. You'll find dried alfalfa leaf at William's Natural Foods, 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805, in our bulk herb section.
Available in Bulk
We carry alfalfa leaf in our bulk herb section, so you can grab the exact amount you want — from a spoonful to try as a tea to a full bag for regular use. Our staff can point you to the right bin and help you scoop and bag whatever quantity fits your needs.
What We Carry
We stock dried alfalfa leaf in cut and sifted form, the classic preparation for brewing herbal tea. We also carry alfalfa in powder form for blending into smoothies and green drink mixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does alfalfa tea taste like?
Alfalfa leaf tea has a mild, grassy, slightly sweet flavor — gentle enough to drink on its own, and it blends well with stronger herbs like peppermint or lemongrass. It brews up a light golden-green cup. Most people find it one of the easier herbal teas to get used to.
What is alfalfa traditionally used for?
Alfalfa has a long history in folk herbal traditions, where it was valued as a nourishing, mineral-rich plant and used in teas and tonics. Herbalists have traditionally used it as a general nutritive herb. As with any traditional remedy, these uses come from historical practice rather than modern clinical proof.
How do you brew alfalfa leaf tea?
Steep about a teaspoon or two of the cut leaf in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. Longer steeps make a stronger, more mineral-tasting cup. Many people mix it half-and-half with another herb for a more interesting flavor.
Is alfalfa the same as the sprouts on sandwiches?
They come from the same plant, but they're different preparations — sandwich sprouts are the young germinated seeds, while herbal alfalfa is the dried mature leaf. Both are eaten, but the dried leaf is what's used for tea. If you're buying for tea-making, ask for the cut leaf rather than sprouting seeds.
Did you know? The name "alfalfa" comes from the Arabic al-fac-facah, meaning "father of all foods" — a nod to how highly the plant was valued as nourishment (source: commonly cited Arabic etymology recorded in agricultural references including the USDA's plant databases).
Visit William's Natural Foods at 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA — open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Our staff are happy to help you find alfalfa leaf in the bulk section and suggest tea blends to try it in.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional about any health questions.