Medicines
Rue
Category: Medicines - plant based
Type
Voluntary
Introduction and description
Ruta graveolens — commonly known as rue, common rue or herb-of-grace — is a species of Ruta grown as a herb.
It is native to the Balkan Peninsula.
It is now grown throughout the world as an ornamental plant in gardens, especially because of its bluish leaves, and also sometimes for its tolerance of hot and dry soil conditions. It is also cultivated as a medicinal herb, and to a lesser extent as an insect repellent.
Unlike many of the herbs on this site, it should not be treated as a culinary herb but a medicine. This is because its properties are quite dangerous if misused. This is one herb you do need to know well.
Background
The Tacuinum Sanitatis, a medieval handbook on wellness, lists these properties of rue:
- Nature: Warm and dry in the third degree.
- Optimum: That which is grown near a fig tree.
- Usefulness: It sharpens the eyesight and dissipates flatulence.
- Dangers: It augments the sperm and dampens the desire for coitus.
- Neutralization of the Dangers: With foods that multiply the sperm.
The refined oil of rue is an emmenagogue and was cited by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder and the gynecologist Soranus as a potent abortifacient
Related observations
Healing observations
- Dr Duke's list of Plants Containing QUERCETIN 021446
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antiatherogenic and Antiatheroscleroticactivity 018349
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antimalarial activity 018057
- Dr Duke's Plants with Antiplatelet activity 017519
- Intracranial cysticercosis: an effective treatment with alternative medicines 026301