Rue
OTHER NAME(S): Aruta, Arvada, Common Rue, Garden Rue, German Rue, Herb-of-Grace, Herbe à la Belle-Fille, Herbe de Grâce, Herbe de Repentance, Herbe de la Rue, Herbygrass, Raute, Ruda de Castilla, Rue Fétide, Rue des Jardins, Rue Officinale, Rue Puante, Ruta Grav, Ruta graveolens, Rutae Folium, Rutae Herba, Sadapaka, Satap, Sudabugida, Sudapa, Ruta graveolens, Ruda, Rue des jardins
Overview
Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a perennial, evergreen shrub native to southern Europe. The parts that grow above the ground and the oil are used as medicine.
Rue contains chemicals that might have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
People sometimes use rue for cancer, indigestion, insect repellent, birth control, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse rue with Goat's rue or Syrian rue. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Rue overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Rue is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when products containing dried rue leaves are used as a medicine. It can cause cramps, drowsiness, and dizziness. But rue is likely unsafe when the fresh leaves or oil are used, or when the dried leaves are used in large amounts. These can cause serious side effects, including stomach pain, vomiting, kidney damage, breathing problems, and death.
When applied to the skin: It is likely unsafe to use fresh rue. It can cause a rash and blistering, which can become worse when exposed to the sun.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Rue is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when products containing dried rue leaves are used as a medicine. It can cause cramps, drowsiness, and dizziness. But rue is likely unsafe when the fresh leaves or oil are used, or when the dried leaves are used in large amounts. These can cause serious side effects, including stomach pain, vomiting, kidney damage, breathing problems, and death.
When applied to the skin: It is likely unsafe to use fresh rue. It can cause a rash and blistering, which can become worse when exposed to the sun.
Pregnancy: Rue is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It can cause contractions of the uterus, which might lead to a miscarriage. Taking rue to cause an abortion has led to death.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if rue is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Kidney problems: Rue can make existing kidney problems worse.
Liver problems: Rue can make existing liver problems worse.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with RueSome medications might make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Rue might also make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Using these products together might increase the risk of sunburn, blistering, or rashes when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of rue might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Williamson EM, Evans FJ, eds. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex, England: CW Daniel Company Ltd., 1998.
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
- Sifton D, ed. The PDR family guide to natural medicines & healing therapies. New York, NY:Three Rivers Press, 1999.
- Weiner MA, Weiner JA. Herbs that heal: prescription for herbal healing. Mill Valley, CA:Quantum Books, 1999.
- Puig L. Pharmacodynamic interaction with phototoxic plants during PUVA therapy. Br J Dermatol 1997;136:973-4.
- Salman HA, Venkatesh S, Senthilkumar R, Gnanesh Kumar BS, Ali AM. Determination of antibacterial activity and metabolite profile of Ruta graveolens against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. J Lab Physicians. 2018;10(3):320-5.
- Radotra I, Gardiner S, Barnes D. A phytophototoxic injury at a burns unit: the ungraceful after-effects of the "common rue" plant. J Burn Care Res. 2018;39(6):1064-6.
- Avallone G, Mastorino L, Agostini A, et al. Ruta graveolens phytophotodermatitis. Dermatol Online J 2021;27(7).
- Ainiwaer P, Li Z, Zang D, Jiang L, Zou G, Aisa HA. Ruta graveolens: Boost Melanogenic Effects and Protection against Oxidative Damage in Melanocytes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023;12(8):1580.
- Makevych N, Kutsyk R, Kurovets L. THE EFFECT OF RUTA GRAVEOLENS L. ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS ON SKIN ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCI AND PROPIONIBACTERIUM ACNES. Wiad Lek 2023;76(7):1642-1649.