Scientific name
Cyamopsis tetragonolobus
Family
Leguminosae
Origin
Tropical Asia
Used Parts
The drug consists of the seeds of the plant, from which the Guar flour is obtained
Chemical constituents
- Polysaccharides (galactomannan);
- Protein;
- Saponins.
Guar in Herbalist: Properties of Guar
Like glucomannan, guar flour is used for dietetic purposes to allow a faster gastric filling, an acceleration of intestinal transit and a reduction in the absorption of carbohydrates and lipids.
Biological activity
As mentioned, guar flour (sometimes improperly defined as "guar gum") is used to accelerate the sensation of fullness, to promote intestinal motility and to decrease the absorption of sugars and fats. Therefore, by virtue of these properties of which guar is endowed, the flour obtained from it is used above all as an adjuvant remedy in slimming diets.
Moreover, guar flour is widely used in the culinary and cosmetic fields, where it is used thanks to its softening and emollient properties for the skin.
However, for more information about the properties and uses of guar, we recommend reading the article "Guar and guar gum".
Guar in folk medicine and homeopathy
Popular medicine used guar flour for the treatment of disorders such as diabetes mellitus, post-prandial hyperglycemia and glycosuria, to reduce excessively high levels of lipids in the blood and to promote digestive processes.
Traditional Indian medicine, on the other hand, uses guar flour for the treatment of dyspeptic disorders, anorexia, constipation, night blindness and illness.
As far as homeopathic medicine is concerned, however, at the moment guar does not find significant uses in this area.
Side effects
In some cases, gastrointestinal side effects may occur, such as nausea, diarrhea and flatulence.
Contraindications
Avoid the use of guar in the event of hypersensitivity to one or more components.
Furthermore, the use of guar is also contraindicated in patients suffering from pathologies of the esophagus and gastrointestinal pathologies.
Pharmacological Interactions
- insulin: the administration of Guar may require an adjustment of insulin therapy;
- reduced oral absorption of many drugs (acetomifene, nitrofurantoin, penicillin, digoxin).
