GALEGA OFFICINALIS/ goats Rue

The name Galega is derived from GALA, meaning milk & AGO, meaning to bring on.

The medicine of Galega has been used for centuries as a 'Galactogogue', meaning, to bring on lactation.

The Dried Leaves + Flowers can be drunk as a hot infusion to support new mothers with encouraging their milk supply.

Its common English name Goats Rue comes from the translation of the Latin ‘Ruta capraria’, used for the plant in 1554 when it was considered to be related to Ruta graveolens, or the common rue plant.

It is also thought that the name Goat’s Rue comes from the odour that is released upon bruising the plant. Not that I have noticed that myself, to me it smells like any other fresh bean or pea.

POSTPARTUM

A brilliant herb postpartum, this plant may be useful to prevent mastitis due to its antibacterial action and its ability to stimulate milk production. Mastitis is often caused by a build-up of milk, thus, by keeping the flow of milk going, prevents any stagnation that can lead to an infection.

Galega also regulates body temperature & normalises perspiration, which can be a godsend postpartum.

Additionally, the plant supports those with skin problems such as acne, due to the ability to normalise blood sugar levels & the antibacterial element, another struggle that can occur postpartum due to hormonal changes.

Galega 2.jpg — Other medicinal uses

Interestingly, Galega was used as an herbal tonic in folk medicine practices of medieval Europe to treat the bubonic plague, worms & snake bites. This is probably due to its antibacterial action.
Galega is a hypoglycaemic, meaning she supports healthy blood sugar levels. A brilliant aid for people who suffer with Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndromes & insulin resistance.
In 1927 it was found that the phytochemical galegine from Galega, possessed hypoglycaemic properties, leading to the development of biguanide drugs, such as metformin, that potentiate the activity of insulin (Bone & Mills).
Galega is now commonly added to prescriptions by herbalists for those who suffer with Type 2 diabetes.

HERBAL MONOGRAPH

Parts used: Aerial parts - DRIED Flowers + Leaves (AVOID FRESH)

Ayurvedic Dosha: PK- V+

Plant Family: Fabaceae (legume, pea, or bean family)

Taste: Bitter, Astringent

Energetics: Cooling

CONSTITUENTS

Alkaloids (Galegine) hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar).

Glycosides (Galuteolin)

Saponins

Flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, rutin)

Bitters - support the digestion and work on bitter receptors in the body by increasing appetite and stimulating digestive juices, therefore aiding in proper breakdown of our food & nutrients.

Tannins - astringent (causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues, reducing exces mucous - tightens & tones).

ACTIONS:

Antibacterial

Antiplatelet (prevents blood from sticking together and forming a clot, antiplatelets are used to prevent heart attacks or strokes)

Anthelmintic (antiparasitic meaning they expel parasitic worms - don’t worry everyone has worms, its apart of life, the worms are digested and broken down, you won’t see any coming out, that can only happen in a fast).

Diaphoretic (induces persperation - sweating)

Digestive (supports digestion)

Diuretic (increases urine production supporting the bladder & kidneys. Reduces blood volume in the body, thereful useful in oedema and high blood pressure)

Febrifuge (reduces fever, modulated body tempurature)

Galactogogue (increases milk production postpartum)

Hypoglycemic (reduces blood sugar)

Indications:

Bacterial infections

Constipation

Fevers

Indigestion

Insulin resistance

Low digestive enzymes

Metabolic syndrome

Obesity/weight problems

Oedema

Poor digestion

Poor milk supply postpartum

Poor Pancreatic function

Type 2 Diabetes

Precautions:

DO NOT use the FRESH Galega plant as it is considered potentially unsafe. Always use DRIED Galega when preparing teas/infusions.

There isn’t enough information to know whether goat’s rue is safe fresh, traditionally it has been dried, so for now I stick to dried until there is more evidence. I am unsure of the mechanism and what changes when it is dried.

To date, no harmful effects have been reported in humans, but fatal poisoning has occurred in grazing animals that ate large quantities of goat’s rue. Obvisouly humans are built differenly to other mammals and what is often poisonous to them isnt to us, however we are still all mammals and I think its better to be safe than sorry.

No other known adverse side effects

Caution in diabetics taking Insulin or other antidiabetic drugs.

Avoid with Warfarin (antiplatelet), Salicylates (antiplatelet) & other anticoagulant medication like Asprin use as Galega is antplatelet (we do not want double the effect.

*Aspirin was named by German chemist Felix Hoffmann who co created the compound Acetylsalicyclic acid. The letter ‘A’ stands for acetyl and “spir” is derived from the plant known as Spiraea ulmaria, now known as Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet), which contains salicin.

Salicin is a naturally occurring phytochemicals that is metabolised from salicylates in plants which have analgesic (painkilling) properties.

ALTERNATIVE HERBS FOR MILK PRODUCTION:

Ashwagandha/Withania
Basil
Borago/Borage
Black Cohosh
Dandelion
Eugenia
Fennel
Fenugreek
Marshmallow/althaea
Milk thistle
Nigella
Oat straw/Avena sativa
Raspberry leaf
Shatavari/Asparagus racemosus
Trigonella
Urtica/Nettle
Verbena/Vervain
Vitex agnus castus/Chaste berry

Galega for Postpartum Milk Production