Goats Rue and Breastfeeding

What Is Goat's Rue?

Goat's Rue (Galega officinalis) is a beautiful plant native to the Middle East.

It is known for its galactagogue (increasing milk supply) properties, as shown in its scientific name (Gale = milk, ega = to bring on).

What Is Goat's Rue Used For?

• Developing mammary tissue. Goat's Rue stimulates the development of mammary tissue. It has even been used to increase breast size in the non-lactating woman. It can also induce breast tissue growth in women who have had breast surgery or plan on nursing an adopted child.
• Promote tissue growth in women whose breasts didn't increase during pregnancy. For moms to be worried about breast size, it's important to know that breast size has little to do with milk production.
• Promotes rapid natural breast milk production as Goat's Rue has galactagogue properties (encourages milk flow).
• It facilitates breast letdown so that your body can release the milk.
• It helps to maintain breast health during nursing and lactation.
• Lowers insulin and blood sugar levels, insulin-sensitizing. It has been used in diabetic patients to reduce their blood sugar levels since the early 1900s.
• Diuretic (it promotes the production of urine).
• Antibacterial properties.
• Diaphoretic (inducing perspiration).
• Anti-obesity.
• Vermifuge (destroy or expel intestinal worms).
• Protects the liver.
• Blood purification.
• Digestive problems.

Ways to Use Goat's Rue When Breastfeeding

• Goats Rue can be taken in tablet form or as a tea. It is said that the fresh plant may be toxic. Thus, use only the dried form of the plant.
• Goats Rue Tea. To make Goat's Rue tea, use one teaspoon of dried leaves in 1 cup of water. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Dosage: You can drink one cup of Goat Rue tea up to three times a day. Add other herbs such as alfalfa, fennel, or fenugreek to your tea to support milk production further.
• Goats Rue Capsules. The usual dose for Goat's Rue capsules is one capsule 3 or 4 times daily. Goats Rue Capsules are available online (Amazon.com). Make sure to purchase your capsules from a trustworthy company. Most capsules come with directions and dosing on them, so follow instructions or consult your health care professional in case of doubt.
• Goats Rue is also found in some ready-made teas and capsules exclusively for breastfeeding mothers.
• Goats Rue Tincture. A tincture is a potent herbal extract. It's mostly made with alcohol, food-grade glycerin, apple cider vinegar, or honey. It's said that making it with alcohol is the best option, as the ethanol in the alcohol helps release the herb's properties. Not to worry, though; the amount of alcohol you will get is not harmful to you or your baby. Dosage: Take half a teaspoon (20 to 40 drops) of Goat's Rue tincture 2 to 3 times daily. It can be taken in water, juice, or directly under your tongue.

Goats Rue Tincture Recipe

• Goats Rue Tincture. Goats Rue tincture can be used to increase milk supply and make your milk richer and creamier as well as more nutritious.

Ingredients

Goat's Rue, Red Raspberry leaf, Blessed Thistle, Fenugreek, Marshmallow Root, Fennel, Vodka.

Method

Put half a cup of each of the herbs in a glass jar. Add only ¼ cup of fennel and a small amount of water (enough to wet the herbs). Add vodka: 50% herb, 50% alcohol ratio.

Shake well and store in a cool, dry place for 2 to 6 weeks. Make sure to shake the mixture every few days.

The Goat's Rue Tincture can be used from week 2, but the longer it sits, the more concentrated the tincture will get, as the vodka needs to let the herb release all its valuable properties.

When you want to use the tincture, separate or strain the herbs from the liquid and pour them into dropper bottles.

Dosage

Take half a teaspoon (20 to 40 drops) of Goat's Rue tincture 2 to 3 times a day. It can be taken in water, juice, or directly under your tongue.

What Other Mothers Are Saying About Goat's Rue

• I have used Goat's Rue supplements to help battle my low milk supply after a long battle with mastitis two weeks after birth. I took the maximum dose for at least two weeks before expecting any results. My breasts became so engorged that I even gained new stretch marks!
• I used Fenugreek and Goat's Rue together. These two herbs were my miracle herbs. My herbalist said that Goat's Rue is excellent for women with tubular breasts.
• Goats Rue is excellent. It was given to me by a friend who also used it. I pumped exclusively for 16 months and managed to breastfeed my baby until age two. I'm told that it is used to help adoptive moms who want to breastfeed. You should give it a try.
• I had a great experience with Goat's Rue! I tried everything (beer, oatmeal, alfalfa, and nursing/wearing baby constantly) but without success. Goats Rue was the only thing that helped with my low milk supply.
• When my baby was four months old, I decided to try the Goat's Rue capsules, which made a huge difference. After the first ten days, my milk supply went up dramatically, and I could pump a lot more than before. I've now reduced my dose to only one capsule per day. It seems like the initial dosing was just the boost I needed for my low milk supply, and it's just sort of stayed there. It's different with each mother, but I responded very positively to it.

Warnings

• Do not use the fresh Goat's Rue plant as it is toxic.
• If you have diabetes or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), consult your healthcare professional before using Goat's Rue. Goats Rue lowers your blood sugar levels and may interfere with your medication.
• If you are allergic to peanuts, soybean, alfalfa, or fenugreek, allergic reactions may occur as Goat's Rue is a member of the same family of plants.
• Avoid using Goat's Rue if you have an oversupply of milk. Using it could further increase your milk supply and cause engorgement, plugged ducts, or mastitis.
• Goat's Rue might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. If you have any bleeding disorders, consult a professional first, as Goat's Rue might worsen bleeding disorders.
• If you have to go for surgery, stop using Goat's Rue at least two weeks before the scheduled date, as Goat's Rue affects your blood sugar levels. This may be a concern as it might interfere with controlling your blood sugar levels during and after surgery.

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