What is goat's rue?

Goat's rue is a leguminous perennial herb with a height up to 1 meter. The erect stems bear pinnately compound leaves consisting of several pairs of lance shaped leaflets. The legume flowers are white or pink and produce small cylindrical pods.

Parts used

The aboveground parts (talks, leaves and flowers) are collected and dried during the flowering period.

Phytochemicals

These are typical phytochemicals found in goat's rue: Goat's rue contains the following phytochemicals: galegine, peganine, vasicinone, luteolin, carnavine, saponins, flavonoids, tannins.

Benefits of goat's rue

Goat's rue is a diaphoretic, galactagogue and hypoglycaemic. The phytochemical galegin lowers the blood sugar levels and explains why Goat's rue is used to treat diabetes mellitus. Studies have shown that extracts from Goat's rue inhibits the transport of glucose in the cells. It is not recommended to use Goat's rue for self medication of diabetes because diabetes is a serious condition and it's difficult to standardize the strength of the active components.

Goat's rue has also diuretic properties. Goat's rue is also used to treat skin problems such as skin ulcers and to increase the milk production of nursing mothers.

Other facts

Goat's rue originates from Europe and Middle East. Goat's rue is planted as fodder for animals. Goat's rue is said to increase the milk production of goats, hence its name. Juice from Goat's rue was used to clot milk for cheese production. There are also reports of cattle which died after eating Goat's rue.

Other names

Cheese renet, herba ruta caprariae