Rue Herb (Ruta graveolens): The Traditional Specialist Herb

Rue — Ruta graveolens — is a strongly aromatic, blue-grey subshrub of Mediterranean origin, one of the most ancient medicinal plants of the classical world. Mentioned by Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Pliny, and carried through European monastery and cottage medicine traditions into the modern materia medica, Rue carries a complex and potent pharmacological profile that has made it simultaneously one of the most historically important and most carefully used herbs in Western herbal practice.

At Herba Naturalle, Rue is listed in the comprehensive herb index for completeness of the materia medica, with the explicit recognition that this is a herb requiring qualified professional assessment — its potency, narrow therapeutic window, and serious contraindications placing it firmly in the category of specialist clinical herbs.

Active Compounds

• Furanocoumarins (psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin) — the most clinically significant compounds for safety — intensely photosensitising; topical exposure followed by sunlight can cause severe blistering burns
• Quinolizidine alkaloids (rutin — a flavonoid, not the alkaloid) — confusingly, Rue is the original source of the flavonoid rutin; anti-inflammatory and capillary-strengthening
• Acridine alkaloids (skimmianine, arborinine) — with antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and uterotonic activity
• Volatile oil — undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone); with antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties

Historical and Traditional Applications (Context)

Rue has been used historically for:

• Emmenagogue and abortifacient: The most well-known and most dangerous historical use — the alkaloids have strong uterotonic activity; has caused deaths when used for this purpose
• Eye health: Hierba de la gracia (herb of grace) — used to bathe tired, strained eyes; modern use is not recommended due to the phototoxic furocoumarin content
• Rheumatic pain: Topical anti-inflammatory applications — now superseded by safer herbs

Safer Modern Applications

The one clinically retained application in modern qualified herbal practice is the use of isolated rutin (the flavonoid — not the whole herb) for capillary fragility, varicose veins, and chronic venous insufficiency — but rutin is now available from safer sources (Buckwheat, Rue-free), making whole Rue use unnecessary for this application.

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Safety — Critical Warning

• Pregnancy: Absolutely contraindicated — the alkaloids cause uterine contractions and can be fatal at doses used in attempted abortions
• Topical contact: Furanocoumarins cause phytophotodermatitis — severe blistering burns when skin comes into contact with the plant or its preparations, followed by sun exposure
• Internal use: Requires qualified professional assessment and monitoring
• Children: Contraindicated
• Liver and kidney disease: Avoid

For genuinely safe herbal alternatives, contact Herba Naturalle. Browse all products and the full herb index.

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This article is for educational purposes only. Rue Herb should only be used under the direct supervision of a qualified medical herbalist, and is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy.