Rutaceae
Rue
Ruta graveolens
✗ High Risk
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Balkan Peninsula, Mediterranean
Also known as: Common Rue, Herb of Grace, Herb of Repentance, Garden Rue
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Leaf
Therapeutic Uses
Rutin source (capillary fragility, hemorrhoids, varicose veins), historically: delayed menstruation, abortifacient. Modern use: primarily rutin/capillary protection. AVOID internal use for emmenagogue/abortifacient effects.
Herbal Actions
Emmenagogue (powerful), antispasmodic, abortifacient, anti-inflammatory (rutin), capillary strengthening
Active Constituents
Furanocoumarins (bergapten, xanthotoxin, isopimpinellin — photosensitizing), alkaloids (arborinine, graveoline), flavonoids (rutin — named after rue), volatile oil (methylnonyl ketone)
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | AVOID — toxic at medicinal doses |
| Tincture | AVOID internal use for emmenagogue effect — hepatotoxic, abortifacient |
| Notes | Rutin itself (pharmaceutical grade) safer than rue herb. Internal rue use causes liver toxicity and abortion. Historical abortifacient — deaths documented. Topical: photosensitizing. Homeopathic use only for modern herbalism. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✗ High Risk
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: DO NOT USE INTERNALLY at medicinal doses — hepatotoxic and abortifacient. Photosensitizing topically. Deaths from rue as abortifacient documented.
Side Effects: Liver toxicity, kidney damage, uterine hemorrhage, abortion, death at medicinal internal doses. Topical: severe photodermatitis.