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Goat's Rue Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Goat's rue refers to the dried stalks, leaves, and flowers of Galega officinalis of the Leguminosae family. This perennial grows in damp meadows and river banks from Central Europe to Iran. Some sheep that grazed on it died, making researchers suspect that some chemicals it contains (galegine and paragalegine alkaloids) are poisonous. From the several-headed root, rise erect stems, about 3 feet high, smooth and branched, bearing pinnate leaves with from six to eight pairs of lance-shaped leaflets, 3/4 to 2 inches long, and an odd terminal one. The leaflets are bright green, smooth (or very slightly hairy), on short foot-stalks.

The leaves, gathered just as the plant is going into flower and dried, with the addition of boiling water, make an infusion which being drunk plentifully, excites sweating and is good in fevers. Goat's Rue is one of many herbal remedies with the action of reducing blood sugar levels. Its use is thus potentially indicated in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Common doses of goat's rue

Goat's rue comes as dried leaves. Some experts recommend the following dose:

• As fluid extract, mix 1 cup of boiling water with I teaspoon of dried leaves. Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes and take orally twice daily.

Uses of goat's rue herb

Specifically, goat's rue may help to :-

• Diabetes
• Fever
• Plague
• Snakebites
• To increase breast milk flow

Side effects of goat's rue

Call your health care practitioner if you experience headache, jitteriness, or weakness when using goat's rue.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking.

Important paints to remember

• Avoid this herb if you're pregnant or breast-feeding unless a health care professional approves.
• Don't give goat's rue extract to infants or children.
• Discontinue goat's rue and contact your health care practitioner if you experience side effects.
• Be aware that this herb may turn your saliva yellowish green.

What the research shows

Medical experts don't recommend goat's rue for diabetics even though it was used to treat diabetes before oral diabetes drugs were developed. Also arguing against tradition, they caution breast-feeding women not to use the herb because effects on
infants aren't known.

Other names for goat's rue : -

Other names for goat's rue include French honeysuckle and French lilac.

A product containing goat's rue is sold as Goat's Rue.