Goat’s Rue

Galega officinalis

Goat’s Rue

Goat’s Rue (Galega officinalis) is a hardy perennial herb in the pea family native to Southern Europe, the Mediterranean and western Asia. It is named Goat’s Rue after the disagreeable odor that is released upon bruising the plant. The name Galega is derived from gala, meaning milk, and ago, meaning to bring on. It is mucilaginous and has a bitter and astringent taste, and it was used traditionally as a diaphoretic and galactagogue. For hundreds of years, the dried leaves were drunk as a hot infusion to support normal body temperature regulation and appropriate perspiration levels.* The plant was given to cows to support lactation and then began being used by humans to do the same. Goat’s Rue was also used traditionally to support healthy blood sugar levels.*