Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Limited evidenceWomen's health

Goat's Rue

A traditional galactagogue with no trial of its own. It has only ever been tested inside a combination product, and reviewers rate the whole herbal galactagogue literature as low certainty.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Only tested as part of a combination Limited evidence

    The randomized evidence comes from a product combining silymarin-phosphatidylserine with Galega. In 100 mothers of preterm infants, daily milk production was 200 mL versus 115 mL on placebo over the first month. The contribution of goat's rue alone cannot be separated out.

  • Low-certainty evidence across herbal galactagogues Limited evidence

    A 2026 systematic review of 10 randomized trials in mothers of preterm babies rated all the evidence low certainty. The silymarin-phosphatidylserine-Galega combination was among those with a measurable milk volume increase (mean difference 105 mL, 95% CI 27–183) by day 7.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTraditional use is 1–2 g of dried herb as tea, or 1–2 mL of tincture, up to three times daily. No dose of goat's rue on its own has ever been tested in a trial.
SafetyGalega officinalis contains guanidine derivatives — the chemical ancestors of metformin — and can lower blood sugar, which matters if you take diabetes medication. The fresh plant is toxic to grazing livestock, and hypoglycemia has been reported in a breastfed infant whose mother used a galactagogue tea containing it. Not for use in pregnancy. Low milk supply has many causes; have it assessed by a lactation consultant before reaching for a herb.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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