Rue Herb 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Rue Herb – 100 g ($23.99), 50 g ($14.99), 25 g ($9.99)

Benefits:
Menstrual Regulation  Rue can have an emmenagogue (promotes menstrual discharge) effect and may therefore be used to regulate your period and treat problems like heavy bleeding or amenorrhea. Rue also works as an analgesic (pain relief) and can be used for the relief of menstrual cramps. Read about natural remedies for menstrual cramps.

Parasites  The rue plant has anthelmintic properties and is commonly used to help treat intestinal worms such as ascaris roundworms and pinworms. Rue contains rutin and quercetin, two bioactive compounds with pest-repelling properties that can help combat lice. Learn more about home remedies for lice. In addition, rue also has calming properties and can be applied to the skin to relieve itching and irritation from a scabies infection. Read about home remedies for scabies.

Another popular application of rue is its use as an insect repellent.

Anti-Oxidants  In an in vitro study, extracts of R. chalepensis and R. montana exerted acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antioxidant activity. Acetylcholinesterase activity was not reduced by artificial gastric or pancreatic juices. The effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of R. graveolens and rutin on memory were assessed in a rat model. Both the extract and rutin improved spatial memory and exerted antioxidant effects.

In a study of 56 patients with colorectal cancer (34 with early stage and 22 with advanced stage), an ethanolic extract of R. chalepensis protected erythrocytes from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Specifically, this effect was noted in patients with early-stage colorectal cancer but was not observed for advanced disease.

Conjunctivitis  Rue contains antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties and may be used in the form of an eyewash to help with the treatment of conjunctivitis. Preliminary research suggests that rue properties may improve eye health.

Pain  Rue can help relieve rheumatic pain, headache, toothache, earache, and stomach ache due to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of its bioactive components, specifically myrcene and quercetin.

Cardiovascular  Rue benefits blood circulation and helps prevent the formation of blood clots, strengthen blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and reduce edema.

R. graveolens has been studied as a potential potassium channel blocker of ionic currents in myelinated nerve cells. In isolated rat hearts treated with R. graveolens extract, concentration-dependent increases were seen in atrioventricular conduction time, Wenckebach cycle length, and effective and functional refractory periods. In rats given a methanolic extract of R. graveolens 20 mg/kg/day for 90 days, decreases in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and atherogenic indices were observed. Additionally, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels increased in rats given R. graveolens. Oxidative stress and inflammation measures were also reduced. A similar model in hypercholesterolemic rabbits conducted by the same lead investigator found that an alkaloid fraction of R. graveolens dosed at 10 mg/kg/day for 90 days was associated with a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL levels. Additionally, oxidative stress and inflammation were attenuated with R. graveolens.

One clinical trial in patients with evidence of atherosclerosis (N=40) evaluated use of 6 g/day of dried, powdered R. graveolens for 90 days, with significant results observed for right Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) (P<0.002), left ABI (P<0.01), and LDL level (P<0.05) and no significant differences observed for Arterial Stiffness Index or other objective parameters (eg, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL).

Additionally, rutin can help decrease cholesterol toxicity, which is thought to be a cause for atherosclerosis.

The rue plant is rich in flavonoids and helps with glycemic control by improving insulin function. This is the result of antioxidant properties that protect the pancreatic cells responsible for the production of insulin.

Preliminary research suggests that rue properties may help relieve arrhythmia.

Varicose Veins  Rue contains rutin, a flavouring that improves blood circulation and possesses anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective properties. The rue plant may therefore be helpful in the treatment of varicose veins.

Diuretic  Quercetin gives rue a diuretic effect, stimulating the elimination of excess fluid through urination, thus reducing swelling and fluid retention.

Immune System  Arborine and coumarin are two compounds found in the rue plant that act as antihistamines and anti-inflammatories, helping to strengthen the immune system. In addition, rutin facilitates the absorption of vitamin C, improving the function of the body’s defense cells to better protect against microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Anti-inflammatory  Rue properties have been used for centuries to treat menstrual pain, rheumatism, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. In a murine model, R. graveolens exerted anti-inflammatory activity and reduced edema in affected arthritic paws. An alkaloid fraction of R. graveolens given at a dose of 10 mg/kg demonstrated a larger anti-inflammatory effect compared with a polyphenolic fraction of R. graveolens and diclofenac. R. graveolens was found to suppress the production of nitric oxide from lipopolysaccharide in murine macrophage cells, suggesting potential anti-inflammatory activity.

An experiment in Helicobacter pylori–infected gastric epithelial cells evaluated 24 medicinal plants indigenous to Pakistan for their effects on secretion of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and generation of reactive oxygen species in order to assess their anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. Although no direct cytotoxic effects on the gastric cells or bactericidal effects on H. pylori were found, rue leaf extract was observed to have moderate and strong inhibitory activity on IL-8 at 50 and 100 mcg/mL, respectively, in H. pylori–infected gastric cells.

Antimicrobial  More than 15 compounds in rue have been identified as having in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity. The acridone alkaloids are the most potent antimicrobial compounds; the coumarins inhibit growth only at high doses. The essential oil and flavonoids tested did not show activity.

One report suggests that extracts of R. graveolens demonstrate inhibitory effects against gram-positive organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus subtilis. Other researchers have found that a number of components of rue interfere directly with DNA replication, thereby preventing the propagation of some viruses. Although it did not exert bactericidal effects against H. pylori, leaf extract of rue was observed to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in H. pylori–infected gastric cells. An in vitro study suggests that a methanolic extract of R. graveolens exerted antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, bacteria that cause dental caries.

Preliminary research suggests that rue properties may inhibit some strains of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Antispasmodic  The rue plant and its extracts, in particular the tea and oil, have been reported to have antispasmodic effects on smooth muscles. This pharmacologic action has been attributed to the alkaloids arborine and arborinine and to coumarins, in particular rutamarin. While the pharmacologic half-life of arborinine is similar to that of papaverine, the half-life of rutamarin is approximately 20 times longer. These spasmolytic effects have also been observed in isolated GI smooth muscle.

One study found the spasmolytic effect of arborinine on pig coronary muscle to be as potent as that of papaverine, while rutamarin was 20-fold more potent than papaverine. The antispasmodic effects of these compounds were reversible.

Cancer/Cytotoxicity  In a murine model of peritoneal sarcoma, R. graveolens was found to boost antitumor immunogenicity, promote apoptosis, and diminish tumor cell division.

Botanical Name: Ruta graveolens
English: Garden Rue
Also, known as: Wynruit, Taena Adam, Chou Cao, Wijoruit, Rue, Weinraute, Ruta, Ru, Duan Aroda, Arruda, Ruda, Erruda, Arroda, Rue, Herb of grace, Country man’s treacle, Herbygrass, Rue fetide Herbe de grace, Fayjan, Sadab, Peggan, Sadab, Basahash. Sedefche, Chau chou, Ging gaai chat, Sun beung chou, Wahn heung, Chou cao, Chow-cho, Jing jie qi, Xiao xiang cao, Yun xiang, Chon ai, Ruuta. Tucksunauta, Rue odorante, Herbe de grace, Peganium, Raute, Weinraute, Gartenraute, Weinkraut, Satapa, Satarı, Sitab, Henruda, Sadabu, Daun aroda, Maruya, Ruta zwyczajna, Arruda, Sadapaha, Suvarchala, Aruda, Aruvada, Ruta zapashna, Sadova, ruta, Sadab, Sudah
Origin: Bulgaria
Harvested: Wild or cultivated
Parts Used: Herb

General Information:
Ruta graveolens, is a strongly aromatic perennial shrub about 2-3 feet tall, with individual round stalks that shoot up right from the base. Some of them split in two, but most are single stems, with a cluster of leaves at the distal end of the stem about three quarters from the base. Some stems are tall and slender. Pinnately divided, blue-green leaves are 2-4-inch-long having oblong to spatulate segments. The foliage has a pungent aroma when bruised and leaves have a bitter taste. The rounded small leaves are disposed symmetrically on the upper part of the stem. They are very light and bright green when young, turning into a green-grayish tone as they get older, eventually becoming brown at the tips and falling off Some older leaves are covered with a white soft layer underneath the blade The bright yellow fringed flowers with protruding stamens are star like and grow in clusters, facing straight up. The central flower has five petals, while all other has four. The rounded petals are initially curled around the center and slowly open up. forming a protective shield for the light green, ovary, which gradually swells up, until the petals are no longer necessary and drop. The fruit is a brown seed capsule.

Rue is native to Europe but is cultivated worldwide. An herbaceous evergreen half-shrub that grows to 20 to 60 cm in height, it is often found growing along roadsides and in waste areas. The leaves have a feathery appearance and are green or blue-green, and the flowers are yellow with petals that are 1 cm in diameter.The plant is strongly scented, ornamental, and medicinal. R. graveolens has a strong aroma and very intense bitter taste.

One of the most striking features of this plant is indeed the strong, aromatic, bitter or acrid scent, but once you get used to it, it can be very soothing and comforting. It is the source of Rue or Rue oil, called as Sadab or Satab in Hindi. The oil and fresh or dried leaves have been widely used in perfumes and foods of all sorts. It is used in Ayureda, Homoeopathy and Unam.

Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder (23 to 79 AD) mentions 84 remedies containing rue. Traditional medicinal uses include hypoglycemic, antirheumatic, intestinal, hepatic, antihelmintic, antiepileptic, and antipyretic. The leaves, extracts, and other parts of rue have been used for hundreds of years for their insect repellent properties. In folk medicine, rue has been used as an antispasmodic, sedative, and stimulant for the onset of menses.) Rue has also been used to treat ailments such as earache, eye strain, multiple sclerosis, Bell palsy, and heart conditions. In South Africa, it has been used to treat hysteria. In some cultures, rue extracts have been used for abortifacient (Abortion inducing) purposes.

In Mediterranean traditional medicine, Ruta has been used to treat pulmonary conditions, such as tuberculosis, and to reduce swelling of the spleen, as well as externally to treat wounds. Rue was also used in ancient Greece and Egypt to strengthen eyesight.

Chemistry
Common rue contains a mixture of furoquinoline alkaloids in a concentration of approximately 1.5%, the most important of which appear to be arborine, arborinine, and gamma-fagarine.

The acridone alkaloids (rutacridone epoxide, hydroxyrutacridone epoxide) are found in greatest concentration in the roots. Other alkaloids include graveoline, graveolinine, kokusaginine, rutacridone, and skimmianine. The flavonoid rutin is also present in the plant.

A volatile oil is present in a concentration of approximately 0.1%. The oil is 90% methyl-nonylketone, with the balance composed of related ketones, esters, and phenols.

The plant and its oil are rich in coumarin derivatives, which appear to contribute to the pharmacologic activity of rue. These furocoumarins include bergapten, psoralen, xanthoxanthin, xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin, and rutamarin. Isolation of such furocoumarins has been performed using an improved extraction technique. Other reports have described isolation of the alkaloid isogravacridonchlorine from rue roots, identification of dihydropyrano- and dihydrofuro- quinolinium alkaloids, and purification of acridone synthase from rue cell cultures.

How It Works
Rue health benefits are attributed to its major active constituents, mainly flavonoids, rutin, quercetin, furocoumarin and lemonins.

Rutin -also known as rutoside- plays an important role in preventing the creation of free radicals that cause cellular damage. Besides its antioxidant properties, rutin also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and a vasodilator, strengthening the walls of blood vessels and relieving edema, which prevents the formation of blood clots and reduce the risk of thrombosis.

The rue herb also contains alkaloids, vitamin K, and volatile oils, which hold anti–inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic, diuretic, and stimulating properties.

THE RUE HERB HAS BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES AS A NATURAL REMEDY FOR MENSTRUAL DISORDERS, SHARPENING EYESIGHT, CIRCULATORY DISORDERS, AND INDIGESTION.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.