Name: Garden rue – fragrant rue
Garden rue (Ruta graveolens); garden rue, fragrant rue, scented rue; family of Rutaceae (Rutaceae); rue is fragrant
Wild rue is unknown in Russia, its homeland is the Mediterranean, where it forms a grass cover among low-growing herbaceous shrubs. In Ukraine, it grows wild in the Crimea.
Garden rue is a herbaceous, bluish-green plant. Its stem is erect, 20-60 cm tall, branched, woody at the base, so some botanists classify it as a semi-shrub. The leaves are alternate, two- or three-lobed, with oblong, obovate lobes at the apex. They are covered with numerous ether oil glands that shine through in the light. The essential oil, which is secreted by the glands, causes the strong aroma of the plant. The flowering plant has an unpleasant smell, but when dried it smells like a rose.
The flowers are greenish-yellow, collected in shield-like inflorescences on the tops of the shoots. Ruta blooms in June-July. The fruit is a box. The plant is widely cultivated in the subtropics of Eurasia, Africa, North and South America. In Western Europe, it was known in the Middle Ages. In Russia, rue is more often grown as a garden ornamental plant, sometimes as a spice, and in Ukraine and Poland – often as a spice and medicine. Little is known about the healing properties of garden rue, as its use is limited by toxicity.
For medical purposes, the aerial part of the plant is collected, and this procedure must be carried out carefully, it is recommended to collect the raw materials in rubber gloves. The fresh juice of the plant irritates the skin and can cause a severe allergic reaction in the form of watery blisters, and sometimes swelling, which occur about a day after harvesting. Grass is dried under shelter in the open air, dried in attics or in dryers at a temperature not higher than 35 °C. Raw materials are turned over in respirators or gauze bandages. It is stored in tightly closed jars out of direct sunlight.
Garden rue is included in the Pharmacopoeia of eight countries. In Russia and Ukraine, it is used only in folk medicine and homeopathy.
The plant contains alkaloids (0.2-1.4%), essential oil – up to 0.7% in dry grass. The simultaneous content of alkaloids and essential oil is a rare phenomenon in the world of plants. In addition, the herb contains organic acids, undecyl and other alcohols, furocoumarins and coumarins, flavonoid glycoside rutin, other organic compounds and minerals.
Garden rue, despite its toxicity, is one of the most popular medicinal plants in Western Europe and has a wide range of therapeutic effects. Its most important property is the ability to eliminate spasms of the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, biliary and urinary tracts, as well as peripheral blood vessels. As a result, blood pressure decreases, heart rate decreases, urination and bile flow increase. Ruta increases the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, which is important for their sclerotic changes. A weak sedative effect of plant products is also observed. Bitter substances contained in the herb contribute to better secretion of gastric juice. According to some data, the raw material of garden rue exhibits antitumor activity. In the form of infusions and tinctures, and also in a mixture with other herbs, the plant is used for gastrointestinal diseases, gallstone disease, headaches associated with spasms of blood vessels, cardioneurosis and epilepsy. It is believed that the best form of application of rue products is alcohol tincture, since the active substances are best dissolved in alcohol. In addition to the tincture, a cold infusion of the herb is used. Externally, the infusion is prescribed for skin rashes, and the alcohol tincture is prescribed for rubbing against rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia and gout. Homeopaths use rue for muscle injuries and joint rheumatism. because the active substances dissolve best in alcohol. In addition to the tincture, a cold infusion of the herb is used. Externally, the infusion is prescribed for skin rashes, and the alcohol tincture is prescribed for rubbing against rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia and gout. Homeopaths use rue for muscle injuries and joint rheumatism. because the active substances dissolve best in alcohol. In addition to the tincture, a cold infusion of the herb is used. Externally, the infusion is prescribed for skin rashes, and the alcohol tincture is prescribed for rubbing against rheumatism, sciatica, neuralgia and gout. Homeopaths use rue for muscle injuries and joint rheumatism.
Young tender leaves of the plant from the tops of the shoots are added in small quantities to vegetable salads. As a spice, dried grass and seeds are often used, which are added to meat and mushroom dishes in very small quantities. Experts claim that a small amount of dried rue grass gives the cheese a completely different taste.
Tincture of fresh grass. 1 part of grass to 5 parts of 40% alcohol (vodka). Insist for 10 days in a dark place, filter. Take 10 drops per tablespoon of water 3 times a day.
Herbal infusion. 1 teaspoon of dry grass per 400 ml of cold boiled water. Insist for 10 hours, filter. Take 2/3 cup 3-4 times a day. Externally, the infusion is used for lotions, compresses and washes.
Do not exceed the indicated doses, as the plant is poisonous! Contraindicated use of garden rue by pregnant women – its products can cause abortion.