Rowan as Natural Insulin

Goat's Rue (lat. Galega officinalis) is an herb that lowers blood sugar levels, which is why it is used as a supportive treatment for type II diabetes. Especially in children in the early stages of this disease, it can reduce blood sugar levels to normal values. The aerial parts of Goat's Rue have diuretic effects, support breast milk production, help with childhood febrile illnesses, and treat the skin. Thanks to its clustered flowers and decorative leaves, the Goat's Rue plant is suitable for growing in your ornamental garden.

The country of origin of Goat's Rue is southern Europe and western Asia, where it still occurs today. Historically, around 1600, it was used as a medicinal herb to treat diseases such as plague, fever, and various childhood illnesses. The medicinal substance galegine, which lowers blood sugar levels, was discovered in it in 1914 by Dr. Tauret.

In our latitudes, we won't find it growing wild, so we deliberately grow it from seeds. It occurs naturally in meadows, pastures, on riverbanks, and in moist forests in southern Europe and western Asia. In the past, it was cultivated as fodder in Switzerland and other countries.

Among its folk names are goat's pea, medicinal goat's rue, and professor-weed. Its Latin name comes from Greek and means "bringing milk".

How to Grow Goat's Rue

Goat's Rue (lat. Galega officinalis) is a perennial herb that grows to a height of 40-110 cm. It belongs to the legume family (lat. Fabaceae). It has a thick rhizome from which several hollow stems grow. The stem of Goat's Rue is hollow, longitudinally grooved, and smooth. Compound, pinnate leaves grow on the stems, which have a lanceolate or elliptical shape terminated with spines 15-50 mm in size. Goat's Rue blooms with violet-blue or white flowers, which are grouped into clustered inflorescences during July and August. The flowers have a lot of pollen but are poor in nectar. After the flowers finish blooming, a 2-5 cm pod forms on the plant, which contains multiple seeds.

We grow Goat's Rue from seeds, which we plant in moist clay-loam soil enriched with humus, calcium, and nitrogen in spring, because autumn sowing could freeze during harsh winters. For its development, Goat's Rue needs a warm and sunny location, as well as plenty of moisture. It is frost-resistant and thrives in rainy weather. It grows quickly but does not tolerate sudden changes during its growth, such as alternating heat and cold, which results in the plant thinning out.

We harvest goat's rue herb and seeds several times a year. Non-woody tops of the plant should be cut preferably in the afternoon hours (around 2:00 PM) at a length of approximately 10-20cm. Subsequently, we dry the herb in ventilated spaces in bundles, or with artificial heat at a maximum temperature of 50°C. We collect goat's rue seeds when they are fully ripe, most commonly during August. Their use is, among other things, for industrial isolation, especially due to the substance galegine they contain.

Goat's Rue Supports Diabetes Treatment

In natural medicine, the goat's rue plant is used as a diuretic, galactagogue, antidiabetic, as well as for feverish childhood diseases, rashes such as measles and scarlet fever, and for epilepsy. It also acts as a mild laxative, helps with constipation, and has a beneficial effect on the colon's function. It contains a substance called galegine, also known as natural insulin. Concurrent use of oral antidiabetics and galegine means that lower doses of antidiabetics are sufficient. Thanks to galegine, it overall supports metabolism in the body and strengthens its immune system. Currently, there is a trend to add goat's rue extract to ointments used for various skin defects and neoplastic operations. Goat's rue ointment also treats weeping eczema.

Goat's rue contains galegine, galuteolin, guanidine, flavone glycoside, tannins, bitters, saponins and other active substances.

Tea tip: We prepare tea from goat's rue herb. Add 1-2 coffee spoons to 250ml of boiling water. Let this prepared mixture steep for 10 minutes. Then strain it and serve always fresh tea, which we drink 2-3 times daily.

Goat's rue is also used as part of various tea blends. We most often combine goat's rue herb with fennel as well as with juniper leaf, dandelion root and leaves, nettle herb and burdock root.

Tip from Our Grandmothers

For nursing mothers, drinking the following tea blends is suitable, which also contain medicinal goat's rue and serve to support breastfeeding, as well as to increase breast milk production during lactation crisis.

• Blend of 25g medicinal goat's rue, the same amount of medicinal knotgrass and goldenrod, 20g anise and fennel seeds, and finally 10g bay leaves

• Blend of 30g medicinal goat's rue, 20g coriander fruits, 20g dill and fennel seeds

• Blend of equal amounts of these herbs: medicinal goat's rue, stinging nettle herb, anise seeds, caraway and comfrey root

• We prepare tea by pouring 600ml of boiling water over 2 teaspoons. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes and then strain. We drink the tea half an hour before main meals and one hour after main meals, up to 6 times daily in amounts of 100ml.