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Galega officinalis (also known as Goat's Rue, French Lilac, Italian Fitch or Professor-weed) is a plant from the Galega genus of the Faboideae. Its name derives from gale (milk) and ega (to bring on), as Galega has been used as a galactologue in small domestic animals (hence the name "Goat's rue"). Galega bicolor is a synonym. It is a hardy perennial that blooms in the summer months.
Other Galega species are Galega orientalis.
Galega is used as a food plant by the larva of Coleophora vicinella, a species of moth.
Medical use
The Galega officinalis has been known since the Middle Ages for relieving the symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Upon analysis, it turned out to contain guanidine, a substance that decreases blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance.
Chemical derivatives from the biguanide class of medication include metformin (Glucophage®, commonly prescribed for diabetics) and the older, withdrawn agent phenformin.
Sources
- Witters LA. The blooming of the French lilac. J Clin Invest 2001;108:1105–1107. DOI 10.1172/JCI200114178.
External links
- Taxonomy on NCBI (National Library of Medicine).
- Noxious Weed USDA Noxious & Invasive Weeds.
"Galega officinalis"