GOAT'S RUE (Galega officinalis)
Benefits of Goat's Rue for Horses
Goat’s rue might look dainty, but don’t be fooled - it’s the plant behind modern diabetes medicine, making it a beneficial EMS/IR 'metabolic' friend.
Please note this is a nutritional, functional food supplement and not veterinary medicine. For more on this, see Dr Kellon's Horse Sense - Nutrition is not 'Alternative' Therapy
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Find Goat's Rue in the EquiNatural range
No surprise - you’ll also find Goat's Rue in our EMS/IR supplement support for horses:
- MetaTonic - supports balancing EMS/IR blood glucose/insulin levels naturally
- MetaCOMBO - a 3-in-1 EMS solution for leptin resistance, in one comprehensive blend
Feed Guide
💧Organic Goat's Rue Tincture
Our human-grade, certified organic tinctures give you a ready-to-absorb potent source of phytonutrients at the highest-strength available, for immediate absorption straight into the bloodstream and to the body’s cells.
- Galega officinalis
- Herb
- Infused 1:3 25%
- Organic Cultivated
~ Feed Guide - goat's rue tincture for horses
- 6ml/100kg bodyweight, daily in feed.
- ♻️ Our tinctures come in a heat-sealed, twin-neck, child-resistant HDPE plastic dosing bottle, complete with dosing chamber. *HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) plastic is 100% recyclable, and energy-efficient to produce. Safe for food/water storage, it reduces waste and emissions while resisting wear. A top sustainable choice to match the EquiNatural ethos.
🌿Organic Dried Goat's Rue Herb
Grown, harvested and dried without the use of agri-chemicals, non-irradiated and GMO free - see our Quality page for Quality Management & Certification Documents.
- Galega officinalis
- Herb
- Organic Cultivated*
- Origin UK
* Grown especially for us organically and biodynamically by Organic Herb Trading Co.
https://www.biodynamics.com/what-is-biodynamics
~ Feed Guide - dried goat's rue herb for horses
- 5g/100kg bodyweight per day, i.e. 25g for a 500kg horse.
- Want a scoop? You can add a scoop to your basket during checkout.
- ♻️Supplied in a 100% fully recylable, resealable, food-grade foil pouch for freshness.
Footnotes
- Laboratory tested for identification and compliance to the British and European Pharmacopoeia standards.
- Human grade.
- Please be aware that if you're purchasing our dried botanicals for human use, our dried range is cut to appropriate sizes for feeding to horses.
- ♻️ Eco Note: Our packaging is recyclable and refillable.
- 🧊 Storage Tip: Keep cool and dry.
Functional Nutritional Value
Constituents:
- Alkaloids: Galegine (derivative of guanidine), peganine (derivative of quinazoline).
- Saponins: Triterpenoids and β-sitosterol.
- Flavonoids: Kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, astragalin.
- Tannins, Hydroxycinnamic acids (11,12)
The constituent of goat’s rue considered responsible for its hypoglycaemic action is a guanidine derivative, the alkaloid galegine from which biguanide drugs, such as metformin, were originally developed.
Safety
While there are no safety concerns for goat's rue, always seek veterinary advice for pregnant/nursing mares before feeding.
Goat's Rue in History & Tradition
Goat’s rue ( Galega officinalis ) has been valued since the Middle Ages, especially for its ability to support healthy blood sugar levels. In fact, it was investigations into this humble herb in the 1920s that led to the creation of the drug metformin , one of the most prescribed diabetes medicines today. Not bad for a plant whose name translates from the Greek as “to lead to milk.”
Despite its delicate pea-like flowers, chewing a leaf reveals its true character - an unapologetic bitterness that dries the mouth and stains saliva greenish-yellow. That bitterness, though, is where its power lies. Goat’s rue strengthens digestion, supports metabolism, and nudges the body back into balance when things lean too far toward excess.
Traditional uses & herbal lore
Herbalists across Europe and Africa prescribed goat’s rue for frequent urination, excessive thirst, and fatigue - classic signs of blood sugar imbalance. Its reputation also extended to fevers and even the plague, earning it the old German name pestilenzkraut (“pestilence herb”). Culpeper praised its refreshing qualities, even suggesting a foot bath of goat’s rue for weary travellers, while the apothecary Parkinson noted its antimicrobial strengths.
And let’s not forget its other claim to fame: boosting milk production. True to its name, goat’s rue has long been used to increase milk flow in nursing mothers - and even in livestock.
Modern Insights
Today, goat’s rue is still prized for its blood-sugar balancing magic. It helps improve insulin sensitivity, encourages glucose uptake in muscle and fat cells, and supports the pancreas in producing insulin. This makes it a steady ally for those managing metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes, or weight concerns (though, of course, never without the guidance of a qualified practitioner if paired with medication).
Beyond its metabolic gifts, goat’s rue also works as a diuretic, helping the body shed excess fluid and toxins via the kidneys. Its antimicrobial qualities mean it also lends a hand to the immune system, and its diaphoretic action helps break fevers by encouraging a healthy sweat.
