LOVELOCK - I was reading an article in one of the national forage magazines that caught my interest. For those of you that enjoy smokeless tobacco (snuff) but would like to quit the habit, a former Vo-Ag teacher in Montana has developed an alternative to smokeless tobacco after being diagnosed with oral cancer.
Dave Holt worked with researchers at the University of Nebraska and developed a product made out of ground alfalfa leaves, peppermint oil, honey, vitamin C (natural preservative) and cayenne pepper.
He says the pepper provides the "burn" that many tobacco users crave.
This product may also become popular with more people than just tobacco users. Claims are that it has medicinal value, makes a great tea, and can be useful in reducing colds and opening sinuses.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, alfalfa is used for kidney conditions, bladder and prostate conditions, and to increase urine flow.
It is also used for high cholesterol, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, upset stomach, and a bleeding disorder called thrombocytopenic purpura. People also take alfalfa as a source of vitamins A, C, E, and K4; and minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous, and iron.
However, the Library of Medicine indicates that alfalfa is only possibly effective for lowering cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. Taking alfalfa seeds seems to lower total cholesterol and "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol levels.
They also report that there is insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for the following: kidney problems, bladder problems, prostate problems, asthma, arthritis, diabetes, upset stomach and other conditions. More evidence is needed to rate alfalfa for these uses.
The Holt family business has only been operating for a year, but already has around 70 distributors across five states and Internet sales stretching across the country.
Currently, they produce about 1,000 cans of the herbal snuff each week. The Holt's future plans include building a factory in Whitehall, Mont., and employing approximately 250 people in the next five years.
Holt uses all Montana products. He only uses fodder grown in southwest Montana because, according to Holt, it is the "sweetest" tasting alfalfa in the West. Something about the soil in the area gives it character compared to other hay he has sampled.
I am not sure if anyone in Pershing County has tested their alfalfa for sweetness, but I have heard that cows in California prefer Nevada- grown hay over many others.
Any product that increases the demand for alfalfa, and also provides healthier choices for the general public, is good for local hay producers and agriculture. Now we just have to find out which variety is preferred by humans.
If you would like more information on this product, go to the company's website: www.worldsgreatestchew.com/Holt Montana-Grown Tobaccoless Chew.
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