Rue

Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Ruta graveolens, an evergreen subshrub in the Citrus family, is native to southern Europe but can be found in other regions around the world (Wessner, Hofmann, & Ring, 1999). While Rue’s blue-green leaves have a bitter taste and a pungent odor, its flowers, stems, and leaves have long been used for their medicinal properties (Eickhorst, DeLeo, & Csaposs, 2007; Hale, Meepagala, Oliva, Aliotta, & Duke, 2004). Ruta graveolens has been used as an anti-inflammatory to treat cramps, external ulcers, rheumatism, eczema, and systemic infections; as an antidote for scorpion and snake venom; as an insect repellent; and as an herbal decoction for warding off evil spirits (Gawkrodger & Savin, 1983; Heskel, Amon, Storrs, & White, 1983; Sallal, 1996; Wessner et al., 1999).
Warning: Ruta graveolens is known to cause reddening, burning, itching and photodermatisis (sun poisoning rash) when rubbed on skin that has been exposed to sunlight (Gawkrodger & Savin, 1983).
Historical Use
Rembert Dodoen’s A Nievve Herball, written in 1578, provides historical information on the use of Rue. This excerpt states that mixing R. graveolens with certain foods provides protection “against the bitings of vipers and serpentes,” and its juice protects “against the bitings and stingings of Scorpions, Bees, Waspes, Hornettes and madde [dogs].”

Latest Research
- Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Ruta graveolens L.: A Critical Review and Future Perspectivesby Ping Luo on January 6, 2025 at 11:00 am
Medicinal plants are fundamental sources of natural products with high chemical diversity and specificity as novel lead compounds with diverse pharmacological activities. Ruta graveolens L. is an important traditional Chinese medicine used to treat fever caused by cold, wind-fire toothache, headache, bruises and sprains, irregular menstruation, and infantile eczema. Although various traditional uses and chemical constituent activity evaluations have been reported, no systematic review and future…
- Drying kinetics, thermodynamic properties and physicochemical characteristics of Rue leavesby Geraldo Acácio Mabasso on June 24, 2024 at 10:00 am
Generally, medicinal plants are harvested with high amount of water, so it is essential to subject the product to drying as soon as possible to prevent degradation before application. Most compounds from medicinal plants are sensitive to drying processes, so it is important to adjust the drying conditions. The objective of this study was to describe the drying of Rue (Ruta chalepensis L.) leaves, select the models that best fit each drying condition, determine the activation energy and…
- Use of medicinal plants among older people attending a public primary care centerby Raquel Bridi on January 31, 2024 at 11:00 am
CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforce the importance of knowing the plant species used by the population and the correct orientation on their rational use, potential benefits, adverse effects and interactions.
- The Croatian Translation of Flos Medicinae: From Health Instructions with Medicinal Plants to Contemporary Phytotherapyby S Inić on August 18, 2023 at 10:00 am
Medieval European medicine relied on monasteries where ancient medical works were transcribed. Trade routes to the East and the influence of Arab medicine, which supplemented the knowledge of Greco-Roman physicians, enabled the foundation and development of the Salerno Medical School, whose most famous work is Flos medicinae: Regimen sanitatis Salernitanum. This medical textbook, written in verse and drawn up on the basis of ancient sources and empirical experiences of Salerno physicians,…
- Anti-inflammatory properties of ethanolic extract from Vatairea macrocarpa leavesby Elisangela Dos Santos on June 8, 2021 at 10:00 am
CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed anti-inflammatory features of EEVM (V. macrocarpa) as a natural agent against inflammatory diseases.
References
Eickhorst, K., DeLeo, V., & Csaposs, J. (2007). Rue the herb: Ruta graveolens–associated phytophototoxicity. Dermatitis, 18(1), 52-55. doi:10.2310/6620.2007.06033
Gawkrodger, D. J., & Savin, J. A. (1983). Phytophotodermatitis due to common rue (Ruta graveolens). Contact Dermatitis, 9(3), 224. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1983.tb04364.x
Hale, A. L., Meepagala, K. M., Oliva, A., Aliotta, G., & Duke, S. O. (2004). Phytotoxins from the leaves of Ruta graveolens. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52(11), 3345-3349. doi:10.1021/jf0497298
Heskel, N. S., Amon, R. B., Storrs, F. J., & White, C. R., Jr. (1983). Phytophotodermatitis due to Ruta graveolens. Contact Dermatitis, 9(4), 278-280. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1983.tb04390.x
Sallal, A., Alkofahi A. (1996). Inhibition of the hemolytic activities of snake and scorpion venoms in vitro with plant extacts. Biomed Lett, 53, 211-215.
Wessner, D., Hofmann, H., & Ring, J. (1999). Phytophotodermatitis due to Ruta graveolens applied as protection against evil spells. Contact Dermatitis, 41(4), 232. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1999.tb06145.x