L-KSVMP&EM an IVF Project

LESSER – KNOWN SPECIES OF VEGETABLES, MEDICINAL PLANTS AND EDIBLE MUSHROOMS: NEW GROWING TRENDS IN CONTEXT OF V4 COUNTRIES COOPERATION

Ruta graveolens L. (Rutaceae)



ENG Common rue
SK Ruta voňavá
CZ Routa vonná
PL Ruta zwyczajna
HU  

Using

Since ancient times, rue has been used for treatment of eye problems, rheumatism, dermatitis, pain and many inflammatory diseases. The essential oil is spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, and is a vermifuge. Rue can also be applied in poultices for rheumatic pain, dislocations, tendon strains, varicose veins and skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It has bitter eupeptic properties, so it is prescribed for stomach and intestinal disorders. It was not recommended for use by pregnant women because it may provoke hyperemia in the uterus and cause abortion.


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Sowing
Harvest (herb)

Botanical description and occurrence:

Rue is a herbaceous perennial, native to the Mediterranean Basin but it has been introduced worldwide due to its cultural and medicinal value. Rue is a small, evergreen sub-shrub or semi woody perennial, up to 1 m tall and almost as wide. Leaves are dissected pinnately into oblong segments, fleshy and usually covered with a powdery bloom. Flowers are small, arranged in paniculate clusters. Fruits are dry, hard rounded, 4 or 5 lobed at the top, grayish-brown and rough.

Why to have the plant in your garden:

Rue is a plant for brave gardeners. It can be a beautiful part of garden arrangement but do not provide aromatic impression because of strong, heavy and unpleasant smell. It should not be touch in sunlight, because of the risk of skin photosensitivity, caused by furanocoumarins. The essential oil is a central nervous system depressant, and at high doses - a narcotic poison.

Text:

Dr. Agnieszka Sekara, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland

Photo:

Dr. Agnieszka Sekara, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland

Links to scientific articles (if it is possible):

Asgarpanah J., Khoshkam R. 2012. Phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Ruta graveolens L. J. Med. Plants Res. 6(23): 3942-3949;

Kannan R., Babu U.V. 2012. Identity and pharmacognosy of Ruta graveolens Linn. Ancient Science of Life 32(1): 16-19;

Pollio A., Natele A.D., Appetiti E., Aliotta G., Touwaide A. 2008. Continuity and change in the Mediterranean medical tradition: Ruta spp. (Rutaceae) in Hippocratic medicine and present practices. J. Ethnopharmacol. 116: 469-482;