Goat's Rue


Goat's Rue

About six species of bushy perennials make up this genus, which occurs in C and S Europe, W Asia, and tropical E Africa. A few species are grown for their attractive, pinnate leaves and spikes of pea flowers. The common name "goat's rue" arises from the foul smell of the foliage when bruised. Galega comes from the Greek gala, "milk", because these plants have a reputation for increasing lactation. This was validated by research in France, which in 1873 showed that in cows given goat's rue, milk yields were increased by 35-50 percent. Galega officinalis was once important in the treatment of plaque, fevers, and infectious diseases, hence the German name of Pestilenzkraut.

Goat's rue, which probably takes its name from the unpleasant odor released by its leaves when crushed, was used in the Middle Ages to "sweat out" the plague and in the nineteenth-century France to promote milk production in cows. Known to reduce blood sugar and stimulate the production of milk in lactating women (increasing milk output by up to 50 percent in some cases), extracts of goat's rue have also been shown to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and slow the clumping of platelets that could lead to dangerous blood clots.

Vigorous, clump-forming perennial with pinnate leaves, to 15cm (6in) long, divided into 9-17 elliptic to lanceolate leaflets. Lavender to white or bicolored flowers, 1cm (3/8in) long, are borne in racemes to 18cm (7in) long in summer.


Common Name:
Goat's Rue
Other Names:
French Honeysuckle, French Lilac, Italian Fitch
Botanical Name:
Galega officinalis
Genus:
Galega
Family:
Papilionaceae
Cultivation:
Moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. May self-sow excessively in good conditions.
Native Location:
C and S Europe, Turkey to Pakistan
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring; by division in autumn or spring.
Harvest:
Plants are cut as flowering begins and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, powders, and tinctures.
Height:
1-1.5m (3-5ft)
Width:
60cm-1m (2-3ft)
Variations:
Alba
Has white flowers.
Hardiness:
Z3-9
Parts Used:
Whole plant, leaf, tip of branch.
Properties:
A bitter, mildly diuretic herb tha increases milk flow, lowers blood sugar levels, and improved digestion.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for insufficient lactation, late-onset diabetes, pancreatitis, and digestive problems, especially chronic constipation caused by lack of digestive enzymes. For use by professional practitioners only in the treatment of diabetes.
As a supportive therapy for diabetes, to increase the production of milk, and as a diuretic.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of goat's rue is approximately 1 tsp of dried leaves mixed with 8 oz boiling water, steeped for 15 minutes, then strained, and taken as a tea.
Possible Side Effects:
There are no known side effects when goat's rue is taken in recommended therapeutic dosages.
Drug Interactions:
Taking goat's rue with these drugs may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar):
Acarbose, (Prandase, Precose)
Acetohexamide, (Acetohexamide)
Chlorpropamide, (Diabinese, Novo-Propamide)
Gliclazide, (Diamicron, Novo-Gliclazide)
Glimepiride, (Amaryl)
Glipizide, (Glucotrol)
Glipizide and Metformin, (Metaglip)
Gliquidone, (Beglynor, Glurenorm)
Glyburide, (DiaBeta, Micronase)
Glyburide and Metformin, (Glucovance)
Insulin, (Humulin, Novolin R)
Metformin, (Glucophage, Riomet)
Miglitol, (Glyset)
Nateglinide, (Starlix)
Pioglitazone, (Actos)
Repaglinide, (GlucoNorm, Prandin)
Rosiglitazone, (Avandia)
Rosiglitazone and Metformin, (Avandamet)
Tolazamide, (Tolinase)
Tolbutamide, (Apo-Tolbutamide, Tol-Tab)
Lab Test Alterations:
May decrease blood glucose concentrations.
Disease Effects:
May complicate diabetes therapy by pushing blood sugar down too far.
Supplement Interactions:
May increase blood glucose-lowering effects and risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when used with herbs and supplements that lower glucose levels, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, Devil's Claw, Panax Ginseng, and Psyllium.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 218
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. PP.249-250