Ruta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "other uses". Script error: No such module "Automated taxobox".

File:Ruta angustifolia MHNT.BOT.2008.1.4.jpg
Ruta angustifolia – MHNT

Ruta (commonly known as rue) is a genus of strongly scented evergreen subshrubs, Template:Cvt tall, in the family Rutaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia and southwest Asia. About ten species are accepted 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 Template:Cvt across, and borne in cymes. The fruit is a 4–5-lobed capsule, containing numerous seeds.

Species

As of September 2021, Plants of the World Online accepted ten species:[1]

Medicinal uses

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

Traditional uses

Ruta is the national flower of Lithuania, many poems and songs have been written about it. Ruta is depicted in songs as a universal symbol – virgins wear it while expecting a baby boy, and a sprig of rue adorns weddings and engagements. In addition, the female name Rūta is quite popular in Lithuania. This perennial plant is also grown in America, Western Europe, Asia and Africa. In the wild, it grows from the Canary Islands to the Mediterranean Sea. In general, rue has been known for many centuries. Even the ancient Greeks used it to treat many ailments.

Tena'Adam (Ruta chalepensis), meaning "Health of Adam" in Amharic, is an aromatic, shrubby herb widely used in Ethiopian culture. Known for its pungent, citrus-like scent, it is commonly added to coffee and tea to enhance flavour, used in spices like Berbere, and treated in traditional medicine for ailments like stomach issues and headaches.[5][6]

Since medieval times, rue has been used as an additive to wines (both white and red) to enhance its flavour and its keeping properties. The Dutch name wijnruit, translates as wine rue. In Italy, rue is added to grappa to produce Grappa alla Ruta. Rue's toxicity has long been known but since it appears to be slight it has been used as an additive in wine for a long time.

In Brazil the plant is called arruda, in Portuguese – is claimed to protect against the evil eye.[7] Sephardic Jews also use the herb for protection against evil eye.[8]

Traditionally, it has various health benefits including, digestive aid as it helps in stimulating digestion and alleviating stomach issues. Its anti-inflammatory properties help in curing joints pain and arthritis. It is used to regulate menstrual cycle and helps in relieve menstrual cramps. It also helps in reducing muscle spasms and cramps.[9]

Precautions

File:Effet de la rue officinale.jpg
Effect of common rue on skin in hot weather

Caution should be taken with using rue topically. Applied to the skin with sun exposure, the oil and leaves can cause blistering.[10] Some people are much more sensitive than others. Exposure to common rue, or herbal preparations derived from it, can cause severe phytophotodermatitis, which results in burn-like blisters on the skin.[11][12][10][13] The mechanism of action is currently unknown.[14]

References

Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.

  1. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Ruta L.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2021-09-15.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.J. G. Vaughan; P. A. Judd (2006). The Oxford Book of Health Foods. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-280680-2.
  3. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.J. G. Vaughan; P. A. Judd (2003). The Oxford Book of Health Foods. Oxford University Press. p. 137. ISBN 0-19-850459-4.
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.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. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Ruta chalepensis", Wikipedia, 2025-07-12, retrieved 2026-03-24
  6. ^ https://zehabesha.com/tenaadam/
  7. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.altoastral. "Faça 5 simpatias com arruda para abrir caminhos e proteção". Terra (in português do Brasil). Retrieved 2023-10-28.
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Kaf HaChayim on Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 301:135". www.sefaria.org. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  9. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Hamzi (2024-06-03). "Ruda: The Herb of Protection and Healing". HDMOVIEPLUG. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
  10. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Eickhorst, Kimberly; DeLeo, Vincent; Csaposs, Joan (2007). "Rue the herb: Ruta graveolens-associated phytophototoxicity". Dermatitis. 18 (1): 52–55. doi:10.2310/6620.2007.06033. PMID 17303046.
  11. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Arias-Santiago, SA; Fernández-Pugnaire, MA; Almazán-Fernández, FM; Serrano-Falcón, C; Serrano-Ortega, S (2009). "Phytophotodermatitis due to Ruta graveolens prescribed for fibromyalgia". Rheumatology. 48 (11): 1401. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/kep234. PMID 19671699.
  12. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Furniss, D; Adams, T (2007). "Herb of grace: An unusual cause of phytophotodermatitis mimicking burn injury". Journal of Burn Care & Research. 28 (5): 767–769. doi:10.1097/BCR.0B013E318148CB82. PMID 17667834.
  13. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Wessner, D; Hofmann, H; Ring, J (1999). "Phytophotodermatitis due to Ruta graveolens applied as protection against evil spells". Contact Dermatitis. 41 (4): 232. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1999.tb06145.x. PMID 10515113. S2CID 45280728.
  14. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Naghibi Harat, Z.; Kamalinejad, M.; Sadeghi, M. R.; Sadeghipour, H. R.; Eshraghian, M. R. (2009-05-10). "A Review on Ruta graveolens L. Its Usage in Traditional Medicine and Modern Research Data". Journal of Medicinal Plants. 8 (30): 1–19.

Script error: No such module "Taxonbar". Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Authority control/config' not found.

Retrieved from "https://cosmopedia.co/index.php?title=Ruta&oldid=603043"