HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GOATS RUE/ 353Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug
Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Thomson RH, Naturally Occurring Quinones, 2nd Ed.,
Academic Press New York 1971.Goat's Rue
Galega officinalis
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the leaves collected
at the beginning of the flowering season and dried, as well as
the tips of the flowering branches.
Flower and Fruit: The plant's long-peduncled, axillary
racemes are made up of numerous 1 cm long, slightly
inclined florets. The petals are bluish-white and short
stemmed. The filaments are fused. The fruit is a round,
indented pod that grows 2 to 3 cm long and 2 to 3 mm thick,
and contains many seeds.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The strong, bright green shrub has
numerous 40 cm to 1 m high, erect, branched, hollow stems.
It has a divided rhizome with brown fibers sprouting
numerous erect, corrugated, round, tall stems. The leaves are
odd-pinnate; the leaflets are 1.5 to 4 cm long and 4 to 16 mm
wide, elliptical to lanceolate and thorny-tipped with a rich
green upper surface and a lighter undersurface.
Characteristics: The plant is odorless unless bruised, where-
upon it emits a disagreeable smell, which probably gave rise
to the common name Goat's Rue.Habitat: Goat's Rue grows wild throughout Europe and
Asia.
Production: Goat's Rue herb consists of the dried, above-
ground parts of Galega officinalis, harvested during the
flowering season.Other Names: Italian Fitch, French Lilac
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Guanidine derivatives: galegine, 4-hydroxygalegineQuinazoline alkaloids: (+)-peganine
Lectins
Flavonoids: including galuteolinEFFECTS
The herb contains galegin, which affects blood sugar. In
vitro, an inhibiting effect on the glucose transport of human
epithelium cells has been demonstrated. The reported blood
sugar-lowering effect of Goat's Rue herb on humans has not
been documented, nor have die reported aggregation-inhibit-
ing, lactagogic and diuretic effects.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Preparations of Goat's Rue herb are used as
a diuretic, and also as supportive therapy for diabetes.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: Health risks or side effects following the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages have not
been recorded.Poisonings have only been observed in animals, and then
only following the intake of large quantities of the plant.
Sheep reportedly experienced salivation, spasms, paralyses
and death through asphyxiation following ingestion of
inordinate amounts.Drug Interactions: A possible interaction exists with hypo-
glycemic medication. Goat's Rue should not be used by
diabetics currently maintained with commercial pharmaceu-
tical hypoglycemics.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Since the efficacy for the claimed
uses is not documented, therapeutic application cannot be
recommended. Goat's Rue cannot be recommended for
diabetes mellitus because of the severity of the disease and
the availability of effective therapeutic alternatives.Preparation: To prepare an infusion, pour boiling water over
2 gm of ground drug and strain after 5 to 10 minutes.Liquid Extract — Drug 1:1Tincture — 1:10 45% ethanol
LITERATURE
Barthel A, Reuter G, PA 23:26. 1968.
Reuter G, Flora 154:136. 1964.
Schreiber K, Pufahl K, Brauninger H, Liebigs Ann Chem
671:142. 1964.
Further information in:
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss.
Verlagsges. mbH Stuttgart 1997.
Kem W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl.. Nachdruck, Haug
Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Poisonous Plants in Britain and Their Effects on Animals and
Man, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. HMSO, UK
1984.