Galega officinalis
Goat's Rue
a perennial member of the Galega genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Galega
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Spread
- 0.75 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A few reports exist, none of them in Britain, of toxicity to mammals[15], though the plant is often fed to cows and goats in order to increase their milk yield[11].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - cooked[7]. Used like spinach[4][5]. Some caution is advised due to reports of possible toxicity. The herb is used as a substitute for rennet in curdling plant milks etc[5].
- Product or use
- Curdling agent
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Goat's rue was once important in the treatment of plague, fevers and infectious diseases[11]. It is still used in modern herbalism, though mainly for its effect in promoting milk-flow in lactating mothers (it has been shown to increase the flow of milk in cows and goats by 35 - 50%[13][14][11]) and for its positive effect on the digestive system[11]. The plant contains galegine, an alkaloid that strongly reduces blood sugar levels which make it useful in the treatment of diabetes[12]. The leaves and flowering tops are diaphoretic, diuretic, galactogogue and hypoglycaemic[13][14][9][3]. It has also been used in the treatment of fevers[13][14]. It is taken internally to treat insufficient lactation, late-onset diabetes, pancreatitis and digestive problems, especially chronic constipation caused by a lack of digestive enzymes[11]. The plant is harvested as it is just coming into flower and is dried for later use[13]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Galactogogue
- Product or use
- Hypoglycaemic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fast-growing plant, it makes a good green manure crop, enriching the soil with organic matter and also fixing atmospheric nitrogen[14]. The plant is used cosmetically in hand and foot bathes[14].
- Product or use
- Cosmetic
Environment
- Range
- S. Europe to W. Asia. Naturalized in S. Britain.
- Habitat
- Scrub, woods, marshy fields and roadsides[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow the seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame[2][8]. Spring-sown seed can be slow to germinate, a period of cold stratification may improve the germination time. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, then it is possible to sow outdoors in situ in mid to late spring. Division in spring or autumn[2]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most soils but repays generous treatment[1][8]. Prefers full sun and a deep moist soil[1][13] but it also succeeds in light shade[8]. Grows well even in poor soils[10]. Plants are very tolerant of neglect and can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn[10][11]. A long-lived plant[1], it can be invasive in good growing conditions[8]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291