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About Common Rue
Ruta Graveolens L. - English name Common
Rue also known as garden rue and herbygrass - is a medicinal plant from
the family of Rutaceae. Original country is Southern (Mediterranean)
Europe and it grows on rocks, old walls and dry hills, mainly on limestone.
Rue is also wide spread in Eastern coastal states, Louisiana and California
in the US.
Description
Rue is a perennial, hardy evergreen herb,
that grows to 2 feet and produces seeds that can be used for partridge.
Rue has a large and varied chemical composition. In all parts of the
plant over 110 chemicals have been found, including flavanoids, alkaloids,
essential oils and many others.
Rue Ancient Use
Rue has been used for centuries as a medical
preparation and has a variety of roles. Aztecs and Mayas and other native
peoples of North America made extensive use of rue. One of prime uses
of Rue in old Greek and Roman medicine was as an abortifacient and emmenagogue.
John Riddle in his "Contraception and Abortion
from the Ancient World to the Renaissance" describes over twenty separate
citations for rue as abortifacient.
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Rue & Homeopathy
Ruta Graveolens is a homeopathic remedy
that may be helpful for compression wounds, contusions, physical overexertion,
varicose veins,
hemorrhoids,
strengthens the capillary veins, dental problems - deep aching - 'dry
socket', feet and ankles painful, aching and heel tendon, painful stiffness
in writs and hands.
Rue is also used for treatment of:
- Brain and Nervous System Conditions:
Acute pains in the head, anxiety convulsions, epilepsy, fainting
spells, hysterical affections, nervous heart problems, nervousness,
spasms, tension headaches, vertigo.
- Cardiovascular Conditions: Arteriosclerosis, combined
with Hawthorn, Horsetail, Mistletoe and Shepherd's Purse, increases
peripheral circulation, lowers high blood pressure, venous congestion.
- Eyesight: Makes the sight both sharp and clear, preserves
of sight.
- Female Conditions: Congestion of the uterus, heart palpitations
in menopausal women, painful menstruation, promotes the onset of
menstruation.
- Gastrointestinal Conditions: Abdominal troubles, colic,
cramps in the bowels, flatulence (gas/wind), improves appetite and
digestion, stomach cramps.
- Genitourinary Conditions: Relieves gouty pains.
- Inflammatory Conditions: Relieves rheumatic pains
- Parasitic Conditions: Eliminates worms.
- Respiratory Conditions: Colic, croup, coughs, difficult
breathing, head congestion.
- Other: Nausea, tendonitis (internally and externally),
wards off fever.
- Rue is used in small amounts to expel poisons from the system,
such as from bites of: Snake, scorpion, spider, jellyfish.
- Externally Rue is used for: Gout, pains in the joints,
rheumatism, sciatica, warts, dislocations, injuries to bones, tennis
elbow.
Caution: Rue should not be taken
in excess as large doses can cause mild poisoning, pregnant women also
should not use it. Juices from the fresh plant may cause dermatitis
in sensitive people and the skin to blister.
Excess of rue causes vomiting, can interfere
with the liver, and can even be fatal. Rue can also interact negatively
with blood thinning agents. This plant is bitter enough that overdosing
on it is unlikely.
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Rue & Culinary
In the last 2000 years Rue has also been
used in culinary as a bitter spice. Apart from occasional use in Italy
(spicy Italian tomato sauce containing olives, capers, rue, marjoram,
basil and lovage). Rue sometimes flavors liquors, as in 'grappa con
ruta'. Rue is very popular in Ethiopia, where fresh leaves are sometimes
used as a coffee flavourant, and as a components in the national spice
mix berebere. Ethiopian cuisine is unique in using not only leaves from
Rue, but also the druid fruits (rue berries).
Rue & Garden
Rue is also an attractive "ever bluish green"
shrub, and a standout in the herb garden and is often included in herb
gardens just for its historical interest. Rue thrives in poor sandy
soils, and hot, dry sites and grows best in full sun. Rue can be shaped
into a rounded mass and used in borders and beds, where it goes well
with light colored flowers.
Other Use
Rue was thought to protect against plague,
and people also rubbed their floors with fresh rue to repel fleas. Like
other bitters (wormwood, for instance), rue has been used to get rid
of worms.
Rue has been used as an "anti-magic" herb
for centuries. It was considered a reliable defense against witches.
The rue leaf was the model for the suit of clubs in playing cards.
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