Ruta

For the Polish village, see Ruta, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship.
Ruta
Ruta chalepensis, fringed rue
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Subfamily: Rutoideae
Tribe: Ruteae[1]
Genus: Ruta
L.
Species

8–40 species, including:

Ruta angustifolia – MHNT

Ruta (commonly known as rue) is a genus of strongly scented evergreen subshrubs, 20–60 cm tall, in the family Rutaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia and southwest Asia. There are perhaps 8 to 40 species in the genus. The most well-known species is Ruta graveolens (rue or common rue).

The leaves are bipinnate or tripinnate, with a feathery appearance, and green to strongly glaucous blue-green in colour. The flowers are yellow, with 4–5 petals, about 1 cm diameter, and borne in cymes. The fruit is a 4–5-lobed capsule, containing numerous seeds.

Medicinal uses

Effect of common rue on skin in hot weather

Extracts from rue have been used to treat eyestrain, sore eyes, and as insect repellent.[2] Rue has been used internally as an antispasmodic, as a treatment for menstrual problems, as an abortifacient, and as a sedative.[3] Ruta graveolens and Ruta chalepensis are often confused in scientific literature.[4]

Precautions

Caution should be taken with using rue topically. Applied to the skin with sun exposure, the oil and leaves can cause blistering.[5] Some people are much more sensitive than others.

References

  1. ↑ Takhtajan, Armen (2009). Flowering Plants (2 ed.). Springer. p. 375. ISBN 978-1-4020-9608-2.
  2. ↑ J. G. Vaughan; P. A. Judd (2006). The Oxford Book of Health Foods. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-280680-2.
  3. ↑ J. G. Vaughan; P. A. Judd (2003). The Oxford Book of Health Foods. Oxford University Press. p. 137. ISBN 0-19-850459-4.
  4. ↑ Kannan R, Babu UV (July 2012). "Identity and pharmacognosy of Ruta graveolens Linn". Anc Sci Life 32 (1): 16–9. doi:10.4103/0257-7941.113792. PMC 3733200. PMID 23929988.
  5. ↑ Kimberly Eickhorst, Vincent DeLeo & Joan Csaposs (2007). "Rue the herb: Ruta graveolens-associated phytophototoxicity". Dermatitis 18 (1): 52–55. doi:10.2310/6620.2007.06033. PMID 17303046.
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