Rue
Botanical Description & Habitat
Ruta graveolens
N.B. This is not Meadow rue (Thalictrum spp.)
Family
Rutaceae
Common Names
Common rue
Garden rue
German rue
Herb-of-grace
Description
An herbaceous evergreen, with tear drop-shaped leaves. Its greenish-yellow flowers have a disagreeable odor.
Habitat
Widespread, cultivated; originated in the Mediterranean area.
Medicinal Parts
The dried aerial parts of the herb.
Historical Properties & Uses
Rue is used mainly for its carminative, stomachic, spasmolytic and emmenagogue actions. It is also said to be anthelmintic and stimulant. Gout and rheumatic pain reportedly succumb to rue treatment. Heart palpitation, menopause, worms, gas pains, colic, appetite problems, sciatica, amenorrhea, and acute poisoning are treated with rue.
In homeopathy, rue is used as a tincture for eye weakness, rheumatism, neuralgia and monorrhagia. Also as a gargle, stomachic, carminative, antispasmodic and diaphoretic, and especially as an emmenagogue and abortive.
This herb (and leaf) has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
The Pharmacology of Rue
Rue contains an oil which contains over a dozen compounds, including ketones, alcohols, esters, terpenes, glycoside, rutin, rutoside and quercetin are all present. These would account for the antibiotic, carminative and anti-inflammatory actions.
Whole rue works better than isolated constituents.
Its alkaloids have been credited with providing the antispasmodic action on smooth muscles.
The emmenagogue action is recognized as valid by leading European pharmacognocists. Often combined with caraway, valerian root, lemon balm, and black cohosh.
The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes rue as a spasmolytic, emmenagogue and antitussive, for use in the treatment of atonic amenorrhea. May be combined with false unicorn root and senecio aureus in suppressed menses.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
The antacid nature of rue may decrease or delay the absorption of nalidixic acid and the sulfonamides.
Due to the spasmolytic nature of rue, it may interact in unknown ways with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Normal doses of rue are nontoxic. Large doses of rue are said to cause mild poisoning, dermatitis, irritation of mucous membranes. Not be used by pregnant women as it is reputed to have an abortifacient effect. Furanocoumarins, which are present in rue, have photosensitizing action. Keep off of skin!
The German Commission E also notes the possibility for phototoxic and mutagenic effects, kidney and liver damage due to furanocoumarins.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Use three times daily
Infusion
Use 0.5-1g of powdered herb
Liquid Extract
Use 0.5-1ml of 1:1 in 25% alcohol
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Braun, H. & Frohne, D. Heilplanzen-Lexikon Fuer Aerzte und Apotheker. Gustav Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1987.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.
Facts and Comparisons. The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Jul, 1997.
Gandhi, M et al., J. Ethnopharmacol. 1991, 31(1):49-59.
Lewis, D.A. Anti-inflammatory Drugs for Plant and Marine Sources, Birkhouse Verlag, Berlin, 1989.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Weiss, R.F. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield Publishers, LTD, Beaconsfield, England, 1988.
Multimedia
Ruta graveolens
© Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
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