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Lucerne, also known as Alfalfa, is a forage legume producing high quality green feed and is commonly used as a premium food for horses. Native to the Middle-East but long since naturalised worldwide, it is extremely rich in minerals, and can also be safely consumed by humans. Alfalfa sprouts, leaves and young stems can be eaten either raw in salads or cooked. The roots of the Lucerne plant can go up to 30 foot into the soil, giving it the ability to draw minerals up from the deep layers of the ground.