Wed, 20 May 2026 at 5:00 am UTC For a long time goat’s rue, containing galegine which lowers blood glucose levels, was used to treat diabetes.Photograph: Steffen Hauser/botanikfoto/Alamy Goat’s rue or French lilac, Galega officinalis, is a wild plant and often grown in gardens for its clusters of attractive lilac or white flowers. For a long time the plant was also used to treat diabetes.