Galega officinalis
by John Henry Clarke — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica
Historical reference for practitioners and students. The statements below reflect the named author’s homeopathic teaching and do not establish treatment effectiveness. This text is not medical advice and must not replace appropriate diagnosis or care.
officinalis. Goat's Rue. N. O. Leguminosæ. Aqueous extract, Infusion, or Tincture of whole fresh plant.
Clinical
Backache / Debility / Kidney ache / Lactation
Characteristics
Galega, as its name implies, has an ancient reputation as a milk-gland stimulant. The Galegæ are nearly related to Glycyrrhiza, the well-known source of liquorice. Carron de la Carrière (H. W., xxvii. 79) tested its action on the milk glands of nursing women and found it rapidly increased the quantity and quality of the milk and increased the woman's appetite. Dorretta (H. W., xxix. 177) gave Galega (he calls it " Galega vera," but doubtless it is Goat's-rue), in liquid extract of the leaves, for a common form of backache, which he located in the kidneys, though it is unaccompanied by any sign of kidney disease. The medicine he says is also a most excellent reconstructive in cases of anæmia and impaired nutrition.
Relations
Compare: Agnus. c., Calc. c.; in kidney-ache, Santal.