botanical name(s): Ruta graveolens
synonyms: rue, common rue, garden rue, German rue, herb-of-grace, raute, ruda
part(s) used: herb
qualities:
affinities: connective tissue, eyes
actions:
dosage:
» powder: 1-2 g.
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
therapy:
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d
toxicity: 3; essential oil is very toxic; see coumarin toxidrome
» treatment of overdose: vitamin K serves as an inhibitor of these antithrombotics and should be administered at least twice daily (Theines and Haley, p. 242); Tierra recommends Hydrastis canadensis as an antidote
» caution is advised during pregnancy; an abortifacient, especially the oil (Duke, p. 417) due to its emmenogogue and abortifacient effects and the uterine stimulant activity of its constituent skimmianine (Brinker, Farnsworth, Lust, Lewis and Elwin-Lewis, Conway and Slocumb)
» overdose of plant parts or its oil may induce rubefacient and acronarcotic effects
» gastrointestinal toxic syndrome: gastritis, diarrhea, and vomiting not necessarily preceded by nausea; internal and external hemorrhage, bruising, and subcutaneous swelling may occur; long-term effects include signs of internal and external blood loss, reduced pulse rate, cardiovascular weakness, and death; the oil especially may induce exhaustion, confusion, and convulsions following ingestion; death may ensue (Dreisbach, p. 32; Duke, p. 417)
» essential oil: acts as an skin irritant. Internally, may produce renal degeneration, with dysuria, hematuria, or anuria; bronchial irritation, pulmonary edema and congestion; tachycardia, circulatory collapse, loss of consciousness, convulsions and death (Dreisbach, p. 42)
» laboratory test results: anemia, urinalysis indicates hemoglobinuria, hematuria, proteinuria, glycosuria, and casts (Dreisbach, p. 32)
» handling the fresh leaves may cause contact dermatitis, handling the flowers and fruit can result in itching, burning, erythema, and vesiculation
» photosensitization may occur (Duke, p. 417)
» avoid excessive exposure to ultraviolet light due to possible photodermatitis reaction (De Smet)
constituents: volatile oil, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, lignans
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Conway GA, Slocumb JC. 1979. Plants used as abortifacients and emmenagogues by Spanish New Mexicans. J Ethnopharm., 1:241-61.
Dreisbach, R.H. 1980. Handbook of Poisoning: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, 10 ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Lange Medical Publications.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Lewis, W.H., and Elvin-Lewis, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Lust, J. 1983. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.
Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.