Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties
Legends, Myths and Stories | Uses | Warning | Bibliography
Scientific Names
- Galega officinalis L.
- Pea family
Common Names
- Goat’s Rue
Parts Usually Used
The plant
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Goat’s rue is a perennial plant; the thick, spreading root system sends up a bushy growth consisting of many hollow, striated stems bearing alternate, odd-pinnate leaves with 6-8 pairs of ovate, entire leaflets which tend to fold together. The lilac to white flowers appear in spikes from June to September. Seeds are borne in long, erect pods.
Another herb goes by the name of goat’s rue (Tephrosia virginiana). It is also of the pea family. It is a silky-hairy perennial, 1-2 feet high, leaves pinnate; 17-29 leaflets. Flowers are bi-colored (yellow base, pink wings); blooms May to August. The seedpod is hairy. May cause contact dermatitis. Contains the insecticide rotenone. Seeds are toxic.
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Where Found
Grows wild in southern Europe and western Asia and is cultivated in Europe and the United States.
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Medicinal Properties
Diaphoretic, diuretic, galactagogue
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Legends, Myths and Stories
An Old World plant.
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Uses
Not commonly used today. In the past it was used for fevers, worms and was believed to cure bites from poisonous animals. An extract of the dried plant is sometimes used to stimulate the flow of milk in nursing mothers. The seeds lower blood sugar and stimulates insulin; may be useful for diabetes.
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Warning
Sheep have been poisoned by the fresh plant.
Use only under medical supervision.
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Bibliography
The Complete Medicinal Herbal
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants
The Herb Book
Webster’s New World Dictionary
