Galega officinalis
A perennial plant grown in southern
Europe and western Asia. Also cultivated in Europe and the US. It has a
thick, spreading root system which produces a bushy growth of many hollow
stems. On these stems grow alternate leaves, each with 6 to 8 pairs of
leaflets which fold together. Flowers appear in spikes from June to
September and are lilac to white in colour. The plant bears seeds in long
pods.
Goat's rue has diaphoretic, diuretic and galactagogue
properties. In the past it has been used for fever and cases of worms, and
was believed to cure poisonous bites from animals. It is hardly used today,
but an extract of the dried plant is occasionally taken to stimulate the
flow of milk in nursing mothers. The seeds are claimed to lower blood sugar
levels, and may be used for diabetes. It is not generally believed that this
plant will produce adverse effects in humans, but sheep have been poisoned
by the fresh plant.