Alegano: medicinal properties and contraindications

Galaga (goatweed apothecary, goat ruta) is a perennial medicinal plant of the legume family. Its beneficial properties were discovered only in the 14th century. Since 1600 the herb became popular, and it began to be cultivated throughout Europe. Now the plant is successfully used in folk medicine.

Chemical composition

For therapeutic purposes, mainly the upper part of the plant is used. It contains a large number of useful substances:

1. Saponins. Have an expectorant effect due to the ability to increase the secretion of the bronchi. They have anti-inflammatory effects and can regulate the water-salt balance in the body. Some saponins are used as diuretics or laxatives.
2. Nitrogen compounds. Nitrogen itself is useless for the body, but the compounds are highly chemically active. They ensure the normal course of biochemical processes in the body.
3. Alkaloids. Slow the heart rate and have a calming effect on the nervous system.
4. Rutin (vitamin P). The body is not able to produce this element, so it is especially important for humans. It has the ability to bring the capillary walls, increasing their strength and elasticity. Also lowers blood pressure and slows the heart rate.
5. Kempferol. Research on this element is ongoing, but its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties have already been identified. It is also very important for the body, its consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Kempferol has the ability to lower blood glucose levels.
6. Quercetin. It is a natural antioxidant that protects brain cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
7. Phenolcarboxylic acids. They have an anti-inflammatory effect, help eliminate bile from the body, improve kidney and liver function.
8. Carbohydrates. Provide energy to the body and are very important for mental activity. Support uninterrupted cell division and play a major role in strengthening muscles.
9. Bitter Substances. Useful for digestion, can stimulate the appetite.
10. Ascorbic acid. Saturates the body with vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system. It has antiviral and antibacterial effect.
11. Tannins. Have an anti-inflammatory effect, improve intestinal function, accelerate the absorption of nutrients.

How it looks and where it grows

This perennial plant, can grow up to 1 meter in height, belongs to the genus "Goatweed", which belongs to the family "Legumes". The herb has strong and branching roots. They can go 60-70 cm deep and have up to 12 branches.

The stems of the plant are branched, straight, and densely covered with foliage. The leaves themselves are lanceolate, up to 20 cm long, arranged in pairs. The leaves are sharper near the top.

The flowers are clustered in tassels and arranged at the top of the grass, resembling lilac flowers in appearance. They can have both a bluish hue and a purple one. Pods appear on the plant, which contain several yellowish-colored seeds. They can be up to 4 cm long. After maturation, they remain on the shrub.

Common in Ukraine and the European part of Russia, as well as in the Caucasus. It also occurs in some regions of Moldova. In the wild it grows along the banks of rivers, on the edges of forests and in mountainous areas. Often the herb can be found in thickets of bushes in the steppes as well.

Gathering and Storage

The herb can be found in many specialized stores, but it is better to collect it yourself. Firstly, it is impossible to say for sure about the quality of store products, and secondly, the collection process is very simple.

For medicinal purposes, the upper part of the plant is most often used. Collection of raw materials begins after the herb blossoms. This is usually in June. Herbs should be sought in glades of forests, in mountainous areas or along rivers, away from roads, railroad tracks, factories, etc. Go get the herb in the morning, in sunny weather. It is best to collect the raw material a few days after rain.

Cut the upper shoots length of 15-20 cm. Young plants are better not to touch.

Dry the goatweed in the open air under a shed. You can construct an improvised shelter from a few sticks and stretched oilcloth. The grass is laid out in an even layer on a dense cloth and left out of the sunlight. The raw material is considered ready when the stems break without much effort. If the weather conditions do not allow you to dry pebbles outside, you can bring it inside, but you need to ensure constant access to air to the stems.

Store the raw material in a closed container. This can be a glass jar or a cloth bag. After about a year, the plant begins to rapidly lose its useful properties.

For medicinal purposes, also use the seeds of goatweed. They are collected in early June. Ready pods should be spread with a thin layer against the sun. The pods are ready if they can be opened easily. Then you need to transfer the pods to a bag or bag, tie, and beat with a stick, then sift. The seeds are stored in a glass jar for 12 months.

Medicinal properties of galega

The herb is often used in folk medicine. It has a large number of positive properties, but you should not forget that gallega is a poisonous plant. Before taking the medicine, you should consult a doctor. Also do not exceed the recommended doses of use.

The herb has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to maintain the normal condition of diabetics. In addition, it has a beneficial effect on the liver and kidneys. It improves metabolism, helps to get rid of edema.

More gallega is used to remove parasites from the body, as well as a diuretic and laxative.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is strictly forbidden to use the herb, because it can cause an abortion. But during breastfeeding it will even be useful, because it improves lactation. But it is necessary to drink very carefully and with the permission of the doctor.

For Men

Men can take goatweed for prostate problems, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and diuretic effect. It will also be useful for hemorrhoids because of its ability to thin stools.

For weight loss

Vinegar is used for weight loss as a supplement to the basic diet. It has a diuretic and laxative effect. The herb also improves metabolism and normalizes bowel function. The course of taking the herb should not exceed 2 weeks.

Yagoda (goatweed) in folk medicine

Mostly the herb is taken to lower blood sugar levels, but it has a number of other useful properties for the body.

In diabetes mellitus

In this disease, goatweed is taken both in pure form and as part of a herbal collection. Such a decoction can lower blood sugar levels, as well as have a tonic effect on the body.

The preparation will require goatweed, nettle, dandelion roots and green bean pods. All ingredients should be taken in equal quantities (20 g is enough), thoroughly crushed and mixed. Pour boiling water (0.5 l), bring to a boil over low heat and leave to infuse for at least 40-50 minutes, then strain. Take 60-80 ml three times a day before meals. Such a decoction is most effective on the first day of preparation, so every day you need to prepare a new medicine.

With diabetes, an infusion of the upper parts of the plant is also prepared. It takes 1 tsp. crushed raw material and 1 cup of cold boiled water. Pour the herb into a saucepan, simply pour water, and then bring to a boil over low heat, after 5 minutes set aside and place to infuse for 2 hours. Then all that is left is to strain the liquid. According to the scheme, drink 3 times a day 1 tbsp. Store such a home remedy should be in a glass container. The infusion has a strong diuretic effect, strengthens the body's defenses and is good for colds.

Another effective remedy for diabetes is a tincture of shingle leaves. For its preparation you need 100 grams of dried leaves and 100 ml of vodka. Put the leaves in a glass container, then pour the vodka and put in a dark place to insist for 10 days. Periodically the tincture should be shaken. At the end of the drug to strain and drink three times a day after a meal, 10-15 drops. The course of taking the medicine is 1 month.

With cystitis

To treat this disease, an herbal collection is also used. The following herbs will be required: halega, motherwort, immortelle, poplar buds, heather and the roots of the dye marene. Herbs should be mixed in equal proportions, pre-milled to powder, then mix. Take 10-15 grams of the mixture and pour cool boiled water, leave to infuse for 4 hours. Now you need to pour the mixture into a pot, bring to a boil and leave for 5 minutes over low heat. Then set aside and insist for another 2 hours. Strain the ready cure. Drink daily 100 ml 3 times a day immediately before meals. The course of cystitis treatment should not exceed 90 days.

To strengthen the immune system and cleanse the body

To this end, prepare a balm. It is also able to lower blood sugar levels, improve the endocrine system and normalize metabolism. Balm has an anti-inflammatory effect.

To prepare it will need 1 tbsp. leaves of Wheatgrass and 1 tsp. plant seeds. Grind the grass and mix the seeds, then pour 0.5 liters of quality vodka in a glass container. Tincture cover and put in a dark place for 1 month. Periodically it must be shaken. After the time to strain. Use 1 tsp. no more than 3 p./day after meals.

In diseases of the intestine and stomach.

From pebbles also prepare and syrup. It has the ability to strengthen the immune system, helps with diseases of the throat and nose. It is recommended to use in the cold season to prevent viral diseases.

Need 1 cup of crushed herbs and 2 cups of boiling water. Pour the herb with boiling water and put it on a water bath. Evaporate the liquid until its quantity is reduced by half. Then the decoction should be strained and cooled, and then thoroughly mixed with 1 cup of honey.

The medicine should be stored in a glass container in the refrigerator. Take 1 tbsp. twice a day - morning and evening, regardless of meals.

From worms

Galaga is an effective remedy against parasites. It can be taken both pure and with green tea. Use mainly the leaves of the plant.

You need 1 tbsp. of crushed leaves of the herb. They should be pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for an hour. Drink one glass during the day after 50-60 minutes after meals. You can also add to the tincture 1 tsp. of green tea.

For parasites you can also take galega in dry form. To do this, it must be crushed to powder and drink a quarter of a teaspoon after a meal with water.

Diuretic decoction

To prepare it, you will need 10-15 grams of crushed leaves of the herb. They should be put in a saucepan and pour a glass of boiling water, then boil over low heat for 5-7 minutes. Then pour the medicine from the pot into a thermos, and insist for 2 hours. If you do not have a thermos, you can pour the broth into a glass, cover with a lid and wrap with a warm towel. Strain the finished product and drink 1 tbsp. no more than 3 times a day, regardless of meals.

Such a decoction can be used to gargle with a sore throat. It will also be useful for prostatitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system due to the ability to stop inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory infusion

To prepare it, you will need 20 g of dried herbs and a glass of boiling water. Grind the herb to a powder, then pour water and leave to infuse for 3-4 hours. At the end it should be strained through thick gauze and drunk 4 times a day with 1 tbsp.

The infusion can also be prepared with the seeds. They should be mixed with the herb in the proportion 1:1 (enough 5 g of one and the other), pour boiling water and insist for an hour. After straining, drink 1 tbsp. 5 times a day.

Infusion also shows high efficiency in the treatment of kidney disease.

With angina

Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, goatweed can effectively fight this ailment. It is prepared as part of a collection. You will need to take the leaves of goatweed, succession, birch leaves, rose hips, hawthorn, willow bark and plantain. All ingredients are thoroughly ground, stirred, then take 1 tbsp. collection and pour 2 cups of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave to infuse for several hours. Strain the medicine and you can use it to gargle your throat. You can also take by mouth, 1 tbsp. 2 times a day. The course of treatment of angina should not exceed 30 days.

When snake bites.

In traditional medicine, there is no mention of the usefulness of galega in snake bites, but decoctions are used in folk medicine. It is important to remember that a snake bite is not a joke, and it is imperative to seek medical help immediately. But before going to the woods, you can prepare a medicine from goatweed to provide first aid in case of a bite before the ambulance arrives.

The decoction is prepared from the roots of the plant. They are also harvested in June, during the flowering period. You need to crush the root of the herb, and pour 2 tablespoons of raw materials with two glasses of boiling water. Then place on a low heat and boil for 10-15 minutes. Finished broth to infuse for 3 hours, then strain and pour into any container. After a snake bite drink 1/2 cup. Decoction relieves poisoning caused by snake venom. With the doctor's permission, you can continue the course of treatment with goatweed for a complete purification of the body. In this case you should drink 100 ml three times a day before meals.

Also in the woods, it is desirable to have with you the dry crushed root of galega, and put it to the wound in the case of a bite.

Types of medicinal compositions

The plant is widespread and incredibly useful, so despite the risk of poisoning, there are a large number of recipes for preparing medicine. They make infusions, tinctures, decoctions and teas from galega.

Infusion .

Used to lower blood sugar levels. Infusion has an antiviral effect, so it can be used to gargle the throat in case of sore throat. Also, this medicine is used to treat worms.

To prepare an infusion, you will need 2 tbsp. of the top of the plant, 2 tsp. grass seeds and 0.5 liters of boiling water. The herb should be crushed, mixed with the seeds, pour into a thermos and pour boiling water. Then close the lid tightly and leave to infuse for 12 hours. Strain the medicine and take 100 ml two or three times a day for a few minutes before meals.

Still prepare an infusion of only the seeds of the herb. It takes 2 tsp of raw materials and 0.5 l of boiling water. Put the seeds in a jar and pour boiling water, then cover and leave for 3 hours, then strain. Drink 1/2 cup every day, 2 times a day before meals. This infusion has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Tincture .

Used to lower blood sugar levels. It has a restorative effect, stimulates the active work of the immune system. It is also used for inflammatory processes in the body and to eliminate toxins.

To prepare a tincture, use the whole top part of the plant. It is necessary to grind the herb a little, separate 100 g, and mix it with a 60-70% alcohol solution in a ratio of 1:1. It is desirable to prepare the tincture in a glass container. Cover the container with a lid and put it in a dark and cool place for 10 days. It is best to keep it in a cellar, but if there is no cellar, a pantry will do. Once the tincture is ready, strain through gauze folded several times, and place in the refrigerator. Drink the tincture is recommended 10-20 drops 2-3 times a day.

Decoction .

Decoction is also able to fight high blood sugar levels. In addition, it is famous for its diuretic, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory effect. Decoction is drunk for various viral diseases and problems with the kidneys or liver. It can be used for diseases of the urinary tract.

To prepare the medicine you need 2 tbsp. crushed herbs and 0.5 liters of boiling water. Pour the raw material with water in a glass jar, then place it in a previously prepared pot of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave for another 15-20 minutes. Then cool the decoction a little, strain through heavy gauze and dilute with boiled water to the original volume.

Drink the medicine no more than 2 times a day for 70 ml before a meal. Depending on the state, the daily dose may vary. Before using the decoction, it is desirable to consult with a doctor.

Tea

Tea has a tonic and diuretic. It is drunk to strengthen the immune system and colds.

To prepare the drink will need 1 tbsp. crushed herbs and 0.5 liters of boiling water. Pour water over the raw material and leave to infuse for 2 hours. Drink 3 times a day to 50-100 ml. Before use, warm it. You can add lemon, raspberry or chamomile to the tea. This tea will not only taste better, but also more useful.

Juice .

It is prepared from fresh herbs. The juice is used externally to heal wounds and relieve inflammation on the skin. It is also used to gargle the throat in case of sore throat.

The stems and leaves are used to make the juice. Squeeze the moisture from the plant with a meat grinder. The ready liquid is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5 and applied to wounds. To gargle the throat, you need to dilute the juice with water in a ratio of 1:10.

Essence .

It is used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also used as a supplement to the main therapy for hemorrhoids.

To make it, you need to take 20 grams of crushed raw materials and pour a glass of cool boiled water, then cover with paper and leave to infuse for a day against the sun. In the evening pass the liquid through a folded gauze several times and dilute with water to a volume of 200 ml. The resulting remedy to drink throughout the day in small portions.

Growing goatweed

Salsola can be considered an unpretentious plant. The herb easily survives short-term frosts and does not require special care. The most difficult thing is to get the seeds to sprout, and then you don't have to worry.

For goatweed seeds to germinate and swell, they need a lot of moisture, but they have a strong shell that does not let it pass through. On an industrial scale, special huskers are used, at home you can rub the seeds a little with sandpaper.

Then the seeds should be soaked for 2-3 hours and planted in the ground, to a depth of no more than 2 cm. Planting into the open ground is done in early spring, when the daytime air temperature is kept at 8-10 degrees. It is important to ensure tight contact between the seeds and the ground, for this purpose it is better to stick them into the ground with a finger, and then cover them with soil from above. The first sprouts may appear in 10-14 days.

Choose for planting should be an area that is illuminated by the sun throughout the daylight hours. It is desirable to plant the grass at the highest point of the vegetable garden, so that a lot of moisture does not accumulate there.

As early as August, each plant will have a stem up to 50 cm long. The root system will deepen by 70-80 cm. If the winter will be snowy, you do not need to worry about the safety of goatweed, it will survive any frost. Otherwise, you need to take care of its covering. You can cover the bed with branches of conifers or sawdust. You can also use burlap. Medicinal raw materials should be prepared 3 years after planting.

This is a very useful plant in the vegetable garden. It is enough to plant 2 square meters of goatweed to provide yourself with medicinal raw materials for many years. This is a very beautiful herb, which will give the site a unique look. In addition, goatgrass is considered a honey-bearing plant, so its appearance will attract bees to the garden.

Contraindications for use

The plant is incredibly useful, but poisonous, so it has a number of contraindications. In the first place, it is forbidden to give it to children under 16 years of age in any form. From 16 to 18 years, you can give it, but only with the permission of a doctor and in the amounts specified by him.

Do not exceed the recommended doses, it is fraught with side effects. Poisoning is manifested by headache, nausea, abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing. Also in some cases, a cough may be observed.

The herb is forbidden to drink for pregnant women because of the threat of miscarriage. The plant has components that can lower blood pressure, but taking the drug can lead to the opposite effect, so it is better to refrain from using gallega if you have hypertension. You should also be careful when taking galena for anemia, because the herb can impair the absorption of iron by the body.

Do not use goatweed in allergies and in cases of individual intolerance.

Sagittarius will be a faithful helper in the treatment of diabetes and many other ailments, but if you exceed the dosage, it will become an enemy. Do not self-medicate, you should take the herb only with the permission of a doctor, and in the dosages specified by him.

Photo of galega (goatweed)