This plant, like many other medicinal herbs, has several names: goatskin, medicinal galega , chocabuk, rue, goat grass, etc. Tender and very beautiful-looking grass is found in the lowlands of rivers, ditches, in swamps.
Since ancient times, goat grass, the photo of which we posted in this article, has attracted the attention of folk healers for its healing properties. In addition, it is used for feeding livestock. Traditional medicine does not use the goat.
Description
What does goat grass look like? Grassy perennial belonging to the legume family. Has a weakly branched, rod root, branched, scattered-hairy or bare branches up to one meter high. Leaves up to twenty centimeters long, alternate, having 4-10 pairs of leaflets.
Flowers of delicate light violet or blue color (very rarely found snow-white), moth type. They are located in the axils of the leaves, forming thick loose brushes that reach a length of 25 cm. The medicinal goat grass blooms from mid-June to late August.
Fruits (beans) ripen in the second half of August. Seeds of goat grass are greenish-yellow, kidney-shaped, smooth.
Spread
This plant is widespread in the Crimea, the Caucasus, Moldova, the Carpathians. It is found throughout the European territory of our country.
Composition, useful substances
Goatskin is widely used in folk medicine in many countries of the world due to the beneficial substances that make up its composition. It:
- saponins;
- carbohydrates;
- vasicinone;
- alkaloid galegin;
- glycoside galuteolin;
- peganin;
- tannin;
- tannins ;
- carotene;
- phenol carboxylic acids;
- bitterness;
- vitamin C.
Plant seeds contain: steroids and sucrose, saponins and stachyose, linoleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids, alkaloids.
Goat (grass): application
The plant has a pronounced diaphoretic, diuretic and lactogonous properties. In addition, it is well established as an anthelmintic. Goat-based preparations regulate metabolism and show excellent results in complex therapy in the treatment of many diseases.
The goat grass from diabetes mellitus can be used as an independent medicinal product, and in various collections with other plants. Outwardly, a decoction of the herb is used to treat lichen and eczema.
Harvesting raw materials
For medicinal purposes, folk healers use grass and plant seeds. The grass (stems, leaves, flowers) is harvested during flowering, the seeds are collected as they ripen. The aerial part of the plant is cut (30-35 cm). It is necessary to dry raw materials in the shade in the open air. It should be decomposed in a thin layer. To do this, paper or fabric is suitable. You can use a dryer (temperature not more than 40 ° C). The raw materials retain their healing properties for two years.
Why take grass goat?
People began to use this remarkable medicinal plant in the Middle Ages. At first, the property of the grass was to increase milk yield in livestock, so they began to add it to the feed. It is precisely because of this that its name happened - the goatskin.
Over time, scientists studied the active substances of the galega. They concluded that the main active ingredient - galegin - inhibits intestinal motility, enhances lactation of nursing mothers, and constricts blood vessels.
The peganin contained in the plant is an excellent diuretic and diaphoretic. But it is especially important that it normalizes blood sugar. For this reason, the plant began to be used in the treatment of diabetes. Today, many doctors do not deny the beneficial effects of galega-based drugs as part of complex therapy in the treatment of this formidable disease.
Diabetes Mellitus
It should be noted that goat grass, the photo of which you see below, has proven itself in the treatment of the initial manifestations of type 2 disease. This is because in the initial stage, as a rule, insulin is not used, and diets and folk remedies can help normalize blood sugar levels.
Goatskin is a herb whose use causes active fluid movement. But with diabetes, not only the hypoglycemic effect is important. Of great importance is the ability of this herb to significantly increase the sensitivity of tissues and cells to sugar.
Goat grass (from diabetes mellitus) is attractive primarily because it does not cause sudden changes in blood glucose levels. Goat (Galega) in type 2 diabetes is involved in another vital process. As you know, the liver is the “pantry” of glucose, the role of which is glycogen. When the body begins to experience an acute lack of energy, it begins to use the hidden reserves that this herb helps to preserve.
Goat grass (from diabetes) is also important because it strengthens and tones the internal smooth muscles. This makes it easier to remove harmful cholesterol and effectively restore blood vessels, which is very important for diabetes.
Dosage forms: prescriptions
In the treatment of diabetes, infusions and decoctions of seeds and herbs are most often used. We will present you some recipes.
Infusion No. 1
You will need two teaspoons of goat seeds. Pour the raw materials into a thermos and fill it with boiling water (500 ml). Leave the composition to insist overnight. In the morning it must be filtered through gauze, folded in several layers. It is necessary to take an infusion of 1/3 cup three times a day (before meals).
Infusion No. 2
One spoon (tablespoon) of crushed dry grass and one tablespoon of seeds, pour a glass of boiling water in a thermos. After two hours, strain the composition. It is ready for use. The recommended dose is one tablespoon five times a day. The treatment course is no more than six weeks. Then you need to take a break for a month.
Infusion No. 3
Prepare:
- dandelion roots (25 g);
- chopped goat grass (25 g);
- nettle leaves (25 g);
- bean pods (25 g).
Place all raw materials in an enameled bowl and pour boiling water over boiling water (500 ml). Close the container tightly and cover with a warm cloth. The composition should be infused for at least two hours. Take an infusion of half a glass once a day (in the morning before meals).
A decoction of seeds
In the treatment of this serious illness, not only goat grass is used. A decoction of seeds also helps with diabetes. It’s easy to cook. Pour a teaspoon of seeds with 200 ml of water, bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes. After that, let the composition brew (about two hours), strain, squeeze the raw materials.
Powder
You need to know that the goat can be consumed in dry form (powder): 0.5 g twice a day. The powder is prepared from the dry leaves of the plant. It is simply washed down with water. Patients with diabetes note that goat grass is truly effective. From diabetes, you can use both decoctions and infusions. However, everyone who uses this plant today does not recommend starting treatment without consulting a doctor.
Goat juice
It is squeezed from the juicy fresh grass of the galega. Pour 10-20 ml of juice with 50 ml of water, and you will get an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drug that is effective in treating throat diseases. In addition, galega juice is used to treat wounds, ulcers and other skin ailments.
Collection from cystitis
The following herbs and spices are included in this composition in equal proportions:
- galega grass;
- heather;
- motherwort;
- madder dyeing (roots);
- immortelle;
- black poplar (buds);
- fennel (seeds).
Stir the mixture well. Now 10 grams of grass pour 400 ml of cold water for four hours, then put on a slow fire, boil for three minutes, put it to infuse for another two hours. Take a decoction should be half a cup twice a day.
Does the goat house have contraindications?
Despite the fact that the goat has many medicinal properties, this herb is poisonous, because it contains galegin - a real alkaloid. Therefore, the slightest excess of the recommended dose can lead to unpleasant consequences for the body. Contraindications to this plant include:
- intestinal diseases - the grass actively affects the muscle tone of the intestine, so you can get an upset intestine and a violation of its functions;
- hypertension - even the smallest portion of a decoction of grass can greatly increase blood pressure;
- pregnancy - the use of grass is strictly prohibited: the goat is a well-known abortive plant, because in the early stages it can provoke a miscarriage.
In any case, taking goat-based medications should be monitored by a doctor. An experienced specialist will select the dosage you need, monitor the reaction of your body to the drug you are taking.