RE Goat's Rue:
Here's some info I had (no industry ties):
Goat's Rue
Biological name: Papilionaceae Galega officinalis
Other names: French Lilac
.. Increases production and flow of milk
.. Reduces blood sugar levels
.. Promotes sweating
.. Increases urine output
Ways to take this herb:
1. Available as a capsule from Motherlove.com, take one capsule four
times a day. Price from Lucky Vitamin.com is $20 for 60 caps. $1.33 per day.
2. Requires prep: Take by making a tea, called "Infusion": Add 1 cup
boiling water to 1 tsp dried leaves. Infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink 1 cup
of this "tea" twice a day.
3. Tincture: 20 to 40 drops (2-4 ml) 2-3 times per day.
4. Extract: Take 1/4 tsp (1 ml) 4 times per day. Women over 175 lbs
take 1/2 tsp (2 ml) 3 times per day. Available from Motherlove.com, through
Lucky Vitamin.com or Natural Baby (online) for $40 for 8 ounces (67cents per
day).
An Excerpt from the "Making More Milk: A Nursing Mother's Guide to Milk
Supply" by Diana West and Lisa Marasco (publication TBA)
Goat's rue, sometimes called Holy Hay, is indigenous to southern Europe and
western Asia and was first mentioned by dairy farmer Gillet-Damitte in 1873
in a letter to the French Academy in which he described milk production
increases in his cows of between 35-50 percent when given this herb. Drs.
Cerisoli and Millbank subsequently confirmed empirical evidence that goat's
rue is indeed a powerful galactogogue.(1) Goat's rue is also reputed to
increase breast tissue, though how it might do so is not well understood.
In addition to its lactogenic properties, goat's rue comes from the same
family as fenugreek and is also considered to have anti-diabetic properties.
Goat's Rue contains galegine, a guanidine compound from which phenformin,
the precursor drug to metformin (Glucophage), was derived. Metformin is
considered an insulin receptor sensitizer and one anti-aging researcher
believes that it may have a beneficial effect on other resistant hormone
receptors as well.(2) Because metformin has been found beneficial in many
cases of polycystic ovary syndrome, goat's rue may be an especially
appropriate galactogogue herb as it may have properties that address
underlying problems.
Goat's rue remains a popular galactogogue herb for French women and no
problems in humans have been reported either anecdotally or in the
literature. Herbalists with actual clinical experience with goat's rue
remain comfortable with its use. A 1999 study also reported a weight-loss
effect of goat's rue upon mice (test amount used was 10% of dietary weight)
that was associated with the lowering of glucose.(3) Other actions
attributed to goat's rue include being a diuretc, diaphoretic, and
emmenagogue.
References
(1) Lust, J. The Herb Book. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1974; 191, 394, 172,
89, 93-94, 291, 186. 173.
(2) Dean, W. Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging. Chapter VII: A Key to Retarding
the Aging Process: Restoring Hypothalamic and Peripheral Receptor
Sensitivity. March 2001. http://www.vrp.com/art/697.asp. Accessed April 24,
2005.
(3) Palit, P., Furman, B., Gray, A. Novel weight-reducing activity of Galega
officinalis in mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 1999 Nov; 51(11):1313-9.
(4) De Cleene, M. Giftige Planten Gids. Uitgeversmaatschappij Tirion: Baarn,
The Netherlands; p. 108
- Marie Farver RN BSN IBCLC
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