Health Benefits
Goat’s rue is just coming up in the medical research, although it has been used in Europe since the middle ages. Today, we are slowly realizing what a great healing potential it has on our overall health and longevity:
Increases Lactation
Controls Diabetes
Aids Weight Loss
Brain protection and health
Longevity
Anti-Inflammatory
Antioxidant
Anti – Cancer properties
High Blood Pressure
Increases Lactation
Herbalist healers have been using goat’s rue since the middle ages. It was first used as a method of increasing milk production in livestock and breastfeeding mothers.
Still popular in France and other European countries, the dried leaves of the goat’s rue plant are a galactagogue, and this herb is often recommended to breastfeeding mothers to help increase the supply of breast milk. It is also used to stimulate the growth of breast tissue, so it may be helpful for women who wish to breastfeed after breast surgery and those who plan to breastfeed an adopted child.
Goat’s Rue belongs to the same plant family as fenugreek. Some women say it works just as well or even better than fenugreek.
Controls Diabetes
Goat’s rue has been used in the treatment of diabetes since the early 1900s.
It contains an alkaloid, galegine, that was found in clinical trials to decrease blood sugar and insulin resistance. This lead to the development of metformin, which is currently the leading drug used in the treatment of diabetes.
Likewise, Rutin, a compound present in this plant acts as an antioxidant and an anti-diabetic agent. It protects the pancreatic beta cells against damage caused by free radicals and preserves insulin action.
Therefore, Goat’s Rue is an excellent preventative for diabetes but also a valuable helper in battling this illness. Make sure you speak with your doctor before adding it to your diet, as you might need to adjust your medication.
Aids Weight Loss
Goat’s rue is an amazing anti-obesity agent. An animal study observed that goat’s rue helped in weight reduction in those who are normal and genetically obese.Intake of goat’s rue along with a calorie-restricted diet helps in losing excess body fat.A high-calorie diet without exercise causes weight as well as fat gain. Guanidine, a precursor to metformin is responsible for this weight loss effect. It suppresses the appetite and delays hunger pangs.Thus, lesser calories enter the system, which may help one to lose weight. It further prevents the storage of fat in the body and helps in fat-burning.
Brain protection and health
In recent years a lot of interesting discoveries are being made involving previously mentioned Metformin. One example is the Singapore study in which they saw a 51% decreased risk of cognitive impairment with Metformin use. Additionally, they discovered a stronger effect if the patients started taking it at an earlier age.
Building on that, Metformin use is also linked to delaying the development of dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Longevity
We’ve been talking about Metformin and its various amazing benefits, and it doesn’t stop to amaze! Researchers have been more and more interested in this compound and new discoveries are revealing just how important it might be for us in the future! In some recent studies, it was shown to be linked to prolonged life and longevity. Trials on animals have shown a ~ 40% lifespan increase and similar trials with roundworms show an increase in longevity with a delayed onset of ageing.
Anti-Inflammatory
Medical world today is slowly agreeing that chronic inflammation is the root cause of various diseases and disorders. Goat’s rue has the ability to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory compounds, which give rise to inflammation. Also, it prevenst the generation of nitric oxide in the body which is also linked to serious inflammatory diseases.
Apart from lifestyle and diet changes that are necessary to lower the inflammatory response of our bodies, adding Goat’s rue to our daily routine can be of great help to prevent any oncoming illnesses in the future.
Antioxidant
Consumption of goat’s rue increases the supply and production of antioxidants in the body and reduces the negative action of pro-oxidants.It is very well-known that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of various diseases and disorders.Phenolic substances, which are present in abundance in goat’s rue, have strong antioxidant properties. They neutralize the free radicals and fight against oxidative stress. They further enhance the natural antioxidant defense system of the body.Phenolic compounds protect the healthy cells of the body against damage and destruction and maintain DNA integrity.
Anti – Cancer properties
Scientists have observed that goat’s rue is an excellent anti-cancer agent. Leaves of goat’s rue are a great source of phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens act similar to estrogen and protect against breast cancer. They kill the dangerous cancer cells and prevent their spread to other healthy cells of the body.
They also prevent the growth and multiplication of the cancer cells and suppress the formation and growth of the tumor.
High Blood Pressure
Goat’s rue is effective in lowering high blood pressure due to its anti-hypertensive effects. It widens the arteries and blood vessels and ensures smooth blood flow throughout the body. Hence, it helps in the management of high blood pressure, along with a salt-restricted diet.