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Common Name/s: |
Other Name/s: |
Botanical name/s: |
| Rue, Ruta, Ruta Graveolens |
Rue, Garden Rue, Herb of Grace, Herbygrass |
Ruta Graveolens |
General description and domicile:
Originally found growing wild in Southern Europe only this hardy plant is grown
domestically in many parts of the world and is found in the wild in Britain
where it does well in poor soils.
Part used and extraction:
The aerial parts are harvested at the commencement of flowering.
Remedy preparation:
The herb is mostly dried and powdered but fluid extracts are also used.
History:
Rue was a popular remedy in Ancient Greece where it was used for poisoning
(Hippocrates prescribed this herb frequently for poisoning and gastric trouble).
Ruta Graveolens was also used against magical spells.
During the Middle Ages Rue was popular throughout Europe as a defense against
witchcraft and was also prescribed for vertigo and epilepsy. Rue was believed to
correct failing sight and was used by artists like Michelangelo to sharpen their
eyesight and relieve eyestrain. Ruta was also used as an insecticide.
Used for treatment of:
Psoriasis:
Furanocoumarins in Rue are phototoxic (specifically the Furanocoumarin Psoralen)
and are used to treat Psoriasis and related skin disorders.
Bronchitis:
Rue used on a compress is said to be good for chest infections. This should be
done with care as Rue is also very irritant to the skin.
Headaches:
Bruised fresh leaves applied to temples is said to easy headaches.
Coughs
Flatulence:
in very low dosages it eases flatulence but in higher doses it is a strong
emetic so care must be taken in the administration.
Properties:
Anthelmintic
Antispasmodic
Anti-inflammatory
Stimulant
Emennagogue
Stomachic
Rubefacient
Emetic
Uterine stimulant.
Constituents:
Limonene: Limonene has been studied for the anti-tumour effect
noticed in mice. Herbalists often prescribe herbs with this constituent as an
antioxidant and cancer or tumour inhibitor although there is evidence that these
properties are volatile and may be lost as a result of processing of the herb.
Limonene also has antiviral properties.
Arborinine:
A quinoline alkaloid.
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Quinoline Alkaloids: Quinoline alkaloids are common in the
Rutacea family of plants.
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Alkaloids Typical alkaloids are alkaline organic vegetable
substances containing one or more nitrogen atoms. This nitrogen base is capable
of combining with acids to form crystalline salts. Most alkaloids are derived
from amino acids while a few are derived from isoprene units. Alkaloids are white or colourless solids containing oxygen (oxygen
free alkaloids are few and far between and then can only exist as liquids) Most
alkaloids are not water soluble, extraction is normally by tincture.
Alkaloids are found in about one quarter of all flowering plants. Thousands of
alkaloids have been identified from a large number of plants where the alkaloid
can be present in virtually every part of the plant or just a specific part like
rhizome, leaf or seed.
Alkaloids
generally have profound physiological impact on the human body and nervous
system effects are predominant.
Many alkaloids are used as extracted and refined compounds derived from the
actual plants or synthesised compounds in pharmaceutical drugs.
Several Alkaloids are banned in many countries because of the extreme impact
on the nervous system (strychnine for instance is a deadly poison in very small
doses) and the habit forming nature of some of the alkaloid compounds. |
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Rutin:
A flavonoid discovered in Ruta Graveolens but present in many other plants
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Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
Pinene: Commonly found in Oil of Turpentine extracted from Pinus
specie trees, pinene (alpha-pinene and beta-pinene) is also widely distributed
in other plants. It is used for Rheumatism as a liniment but is best known by
Aromatherapists and a tonic of the mucus membranes of the respiratory system.
Pinene is also important for its pleasant fragrance and is believed to have
diuretic properties by many. Phenol: Phenol is extracted from coal tar.
Phenol has an anesthetic and disinfectant effect on the skin but is very toxic
and must not be ingested. even in very small quantities phenol may cause nausea,
vomiting, paralysis, convulsions and respiratory failure.
Fatalities from skin absorption has been reported as well
as circulatory collapse. This product should not be used under any
circumstances. Linalyl Acetate: An Ester (see below) Linalyl Acetate is the
primary constituent, along with Linalool in Lavender oil, although small amounts
are found in other plants.
Esters: Mainly found in small amounts in flowers, Esters are
responsible for the characteristic fragrances of the flowers and volatile oils. Esters
are mostly sedative and antispasmodic and generally non-irritant and mild,
although some, like Methyl Salicylate, found in wintergreen, are more irritant. |
Menthol: Used widely in pharmaceutical products as an inhalant
to decongest the respiratory tract, Menthol has spasmolytic, antimicrobial and
carminative properties. Menthol is one of the many aromatic alcohols found
in plants, highly valued for their healing properties and fragrances. Most are
non irritant to skin and mucus membranes.
Quercetin:
A Flavonoid
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Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. |
Psoralen: A linear Furanocoumarin with
photosensitizing properties often used in treating skin conditions such as
psoriasis.
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Furanocoumarins: Furanocoumarins have sun- or
photosensitizing properties and are often used for the treatment of skin
conditions sometimes with controlled exposure to the sun.
Other effects of Furanocoumarins reportedly are: hypotensive activity,
antiasmatic and antispasmodic.
Furanocoumarins are potentially photo-carcinogenic and may promote a cancer that
is initiated by interference with the skins natural ability to protect
underlying cells against the carcinogenic effect of harmful ultra violet
radiation.
Furanocoumarins are Coumarins with a furan ring
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Coumarins: Coumarins are lactones of hydroxycinnamic
acids. Coumarins are lactones. There are many variations of coumarins: Furanocoumarins found in Angelica have a
spasmolitic effect but must be used with caution as they have a strong
phototoxic effect as has many of the Furanocoumarins (Warfarin a blood thinning
drug but also virulent rat poison, is a coumarin derivative). In general
coumarins have antifungal, hypotensive, anticoagulant and antimicrobial properties.
Many of the Coumarins are phototoxic and skin sensitising.
Lactones: A lactone is an Ester that's
functional group has become part of a ring structure with carbon atoms.
Lactones are widely present in the plant kingdom and many are expectorants and
febrifuges. |
|
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Bergapten: has photosensitising properties and is often used in
conjunction with solar radiation to treat psoriasis. Bergapten causes
photosensitivity which is frequently used therapeutically against skin
conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo where the patient is exposed to the sun as part of the
treatment.
Use of bergapten on normal skin will also cause photosensitivity so exposure
to solar radiation (the sun) must be avoided while using medications that
contain this constituent. Bergapten is a
Linear Furanocoumarin.
Although it is generally held of all Furanocoumarins that
they may be carcinogenic during exposure to the sun or other sources of UV light
Bergapten is frequently mentioned as a potential photo carcinogenic, so please
consult your medical practitioner before using substances that contain
Bergapten.
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Furanocoumarins: Furanocoumarins have sun- or
photosensitizing properties and are often used for the treatment of skin
conditions sometimes with controlled exposure to the sun.
Other effects of Furanocoumarins reportedly are: hypotensive activity,
antiasmatic and antispasmodic.
Furanocoumarins are potentially photo-carcinogenic and may promote a cancer that
is initiated by interference with the skins natural ability to protect
underlying cells against the carcinogenic effect of harmful ultra violet
radiation.
Furanocoumarins are Coumarins with a furan ring
|
Coumarins: Coumarins are lactones of hydroxycinnamic
acids. Coumarins are lactones. There are many variations of coumarins: Furanocoumarins found in Angelica have a
spasmolitic effect but must be used with caution as they have a strong
phototoxic effect as has many of the Furanocoumarins (Warfarin a blood thinning
drug but also virulent rat poison, is a coumarin derivative). In general
coumarins have antifungal, hypotensive, anticoagulant and antimicrobial properties.
Many of the Coumarins are phototoxic and skin sensitising.
Lactones: A lactone is an Ester that's
functional group has become part of a ring structure with carbon atoms.
Lactones are widely present in the plant kingdom and many are expectorants and
febrifuges. |
|
|
Alkaloids Typical alkaloids are alkaline organic vegetable
substances containing one or more nitrogen atoms. This nitrogen base is capable
of combining with acids to form crystalline salts. Most alkaloids are derived
from amino acids while a few are derived from isoprene units. Alkaloids are white or colourless solids containing oxygen (oxygen
free alkaloids are few and far between and then can only exist as liquids) Most
alkaloids are not water soluble, extraction is normally by tincture.
Alkaloids are found in about one quarter of all flowering plants. Thousands of
alkaloids have been identified from a large number of plants where the alkaloid
can be present in virtually every part of the plant or just a specific part like
rhizome, leaf or seed.
Alkaloids
generally have profound physiological impact on the human body and nervous
system effects are predominant.
Many alkaloids are used as extracted and refined compounds derived from the
actual plants or synthesised compounds in pharmaceutical drugs.
Several Alkaloids are banned in many countries because of the extreme impact
on the nervous system (strychnine for instance is a deadly poison in very small
doses) and the habit forming nature of some of the alkaloid compounds. Lignans: Lignans occur in a variety of plants and cannot be
classified in terms of properties as a group. Some are antiviral and
antimicrobial while others are antioxidant and anti-tumour. The latter are
currently being researched as there is some indication that they may have a
positive cardiovascular effect.
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or authority of any other country.
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