- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe, Asia (west)
- Other names
- Geitenruit
- Traditions
- Western herbal medicine
Europe · Herb · № 297
Galega officinalis
Herb · Europe
Goat's rue
Galega officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin, promotes milk flow, diuretic.
Safety notes
The plant can lower blood sugar and is poisonous to livestock. Do not use alongside diabetes medication without consultation. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication or have a medical condition.
Preparation
Aerial parts.
Use in traditions
In medieval Europe goat's rue was used for frequent urination, which we now recognise as diabetes, and to increase milk production in livestock. Galegine was extracted from the plant, from which the diabetes drug metformin was derived in the 1950s. The plant itself is poisonous to grazing animals.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Lowers blood sugar, stimulates insulin, promotes milk flow, diuretic.
Preparation and amount
Aerial parts.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Promotes milk flow, diuretic, induces sweating; stimulates production and flow of breast milk, lowers blood sugar (basis for metformin).
Preparation and amount
Tea: 1–2 tsp per cup, 15 min covered, 1–4 cups a day; tincture 1–2 dropperfuls 3 times a day.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Tincture