Galega: use, properties, and tradition

Galega officinalis belongs to the Leguminous family and is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows from sea level to the sub-mountainous region; it is common throughout Italy and thrives in moist areas along watercourses.

In addition to its therapeutic virtues, this medicinal plant is also considered an ornamental garden plant, so much so that it was called “French lilac” when it was imported into the British Isles from France.

Another name it has earned is related to its odor when rubbed, which is indeed unpleasant, enough to be called “goat’s rue“. Its taste is bitter.

Its official name, on the other hand, derives from the Greek “gala” which means milk, precisely because of its galactogenic property, that is, the ability to increase milk secretion.

Galega can reach a height of over 1 meter, its stems are hollow inside and highly branched.

The leaves are compound, 10-12 cm long, imparipinnate with 5-8 pairs of elliptic-oblong or lanceolate leaflets, which can reach a length of 1 cm, rounded at the end with a small tip of 2 mm in length.

The flowers are arranged in axillary racemes, pale violet in color, but also white, 1 cm long. Flowering occurs at the beginning of summer and corresponds to the balsamic period, that is, the harvest time.

The fruit, like all plants belonging to this family, is a legume, which in the case of Galega is 3-5 cm long, 1 mm thin and thickened at the seeds, which are 2-3 mm long and 1 mm narrow, of a dull yellow color.

The entire plant of Galega contains galegine (an alkaloid), galuteolin (glucoside), flavonoids, saponins, bitter substances, tannins, sugars, and fats.

Galegine has shown hypoglycemic properties and acts by selectively stimulating the alpha cells of the pancreas, reducing the production of the hormone glucagon, to rebalance blood glucose levels.

As mentioned before, another action of Galega is to stimulate lactation, as cumestan derivatives and saponins stimulate prolactin; it also contributes to firming the muscular and connective tissue of the breast; indeed, some studies have shown that, during lactation, the intake of preparations based on Galega leads to an increase in volume and an improvement in the circulation of the mammary gland.

The seeds are collected from July to September and have galactophore and antidiabetic properties. With the seeds, the mother tincture is obtained, which can be used as an anti-inflammatory to resolve mastitis, glandular blockages, cracks, and ulcers.

Galega can be used both as an infusion (whole plant) and as a decoction (seeds), both internally and externally.

In the Middle Ages, Galega was considered a valid remedy against the plague, fevers, and other infectious diseases; it was used to eliminate intestinal parasites and was believed to cure bites from snakes and other venomous animals.

Galega also has the property of curdling milk and was therefore formerly used for cheese production.

In the 19th century, an increase in milk production was noticed in cows that ate Galega, and since then it has been used as fodder for milk-producing animals; but unfortunately, it was found to be toxic to some animals as it caused anorexia. Indeed, cases of poisoning have been observed in ruminant animals after extremely high intake of the plant (in sheep salivation, spasms, paralysis, asphyxia), but it is extremely unlikely that these data have any significance for humans.

However, the use of Galega is recommended for short periods.

Usage for breast development and firming at all ages:

Galega Packs: chop two handfuls of Galega leaves or the whole plant, add a little hot water, infuse for five minutes, then spread the leaf mixture on two paper handkerchiefs and apply the prepared poultices to the breasts for 20-25 minutes until cool.

Finally, complete the treatment by taking 2-3 cups of Galega infusion daily.

ANJA LATINI

Herbalist registered with RNEP no. GLT0018S