Ruta, Rue

'Herb of Grace'
Sudab (Unani)
Sitav (Ayurveda)
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562

Kohler's Medizinal Pflanzen, 1887

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Uses:
1. Moves the Blood, Regulates Menstruation:
-promotes menstruation when delayed, suppressed or painful
-painful, irregular Menstruation; dark or clotted menstrual blood

2. Move the Blood, clears Stasis, Eases Pain:
-bruising, stagnant or congealed blood and for all Trauma with swelling and pain.
-a special function on the Cartilage, Ligaments and Tendons; used for Sprains, Tendonitis, bone or joint pain

3. Clears Wind-Damp, Promotes Urine:
-promotes Urine in Edema or urinary obstruction
-Arthritis, Sciatica, Gout and Rheumatism (decocted in Wine)

4. Calms the Liver, Stops Wind:
-Galen noted that Rue ‘extinguishes Wind’.
-Hypertension, Tension Headaches, Palpitations with Anxiety, Hysteria, Vertigo, Dizziness
-childhood Convulsions and Epilepsy. Has been used for Infantile Convulsions in modern TCM.

5. Clears Wind, Resists Poison:
-‘The seed taken in wine, is an antidote against all dangerous medicines or Deadly poisons’. (Culpeper)
-In modern TCM, it is regarded as Cold, and is used for Wind-Heat types of Fever and Virus, as well as the Bites of Snakes, Scorpions and Centipedes. (The seeds and leaf were used for this function, the seed being preferred)
-"Counters all Poisons" (Avicenna)

6. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Swellings:
-Galen noted Rue to ‘digest all thick viscous fluids’.
-‘he hath virtue of Purging, Dissolving, and Consuming’ (A Boke of the Properties of Herbs called an Herball, 1560)
-"It dissolves Scrofula in Throat and Armpit". (Avicenna)

7. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-cough with thick white or clear phlegm; used for chest congestion, Bronchitis, and Asthma. (West, Ayurveda)

8. Benefits the Eyesight:
-traditionally said to ‘quicken the Sight’ (Gerard); used to benefit Eyesight since Pliny.
-burning, inflamed or aching eyeballs, as well as Headaches related to Eye strain.
-weak infusion of the leaves gives much benefit when used as an eyewash.

9. Used for Melancholy:
-gently clears Melancholy Humor
-long used for Mental Illness and Insanity;

10. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Strangury, Edema
-Traditionally said to be Aphrodisiac.
-Hernia (School of Salerno)
-Leukorrhea

11. Kills Worms:
-used for Worms for which it was often boiled in Milk; some preferred the seed for this purpose.
-Dioscorides recommended boiling in Olive oil and drinking for Worms

12. Externally:
-juice or Oil is applied to Warts and other skin growths.
-ointment, cataplasm or poultice formed by boiling the herb in Vinegar is applied to Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica
-juice is also dropped into the ears for Earache.
-as a wash for sore, red eyes, and various eye diseases; 1 drop of the well diluted essential oil was previously dropped directly in the eye
-applied as a plaster with Barley for severe Eye pain (Dioscorides)
-oil or tincture is applied for Lethargy, Vertigo, Headache, Migraine
-oil was applied to spine in Fevers.
-good for Cold, Humid and Watery Tumors.
-decoction in wine is a good gargle for rotten Teeth and inflamed Gums.
-topically for Infection and Ulcers of the Skin, and for Eczema.
-with vinegar and Rose oil for itching (Unani)
-topically used for Cervical Cancer
-the fresh herb is beaten and applied to Venomous Bites and Stings


Dose:
 ... available in PRO version

Preparation:
 ... available in PRO version

Correctives:
 ... available in PRO version

Substitutes:
 ... available in PRO version

Main Combinations:
Calamus & Rue

1. Obstructions of the Uterus, Menstrual pain and cramping and to promote Birth, Rue with ... available in PRO version
2. Promote Menstruation:
i. Rue with ... available in PRO version
ii. Rue with ... available in PRO version
3. Liver and Spleen obstruction,  ... available in PRO version
4. Cough, difficulty Breathing, pains of the sides, early stages of Edema, with ... available in PRO version
5. Cough:
i. with ... available in PRO version
ii. 'dangerous cough', with ... available in PRO version
6. Loss of appetite, with ... available in PRO version
7. Heart pain and Angina, with ... available in PRO version
8. Anemia, with ... available in PRO version
9. Preservative against infection:
i. with ... available in PRO version
ii.  with ... available in PRO version
10. Rabies, with ... available in PRO version
11. Poor or failing Eyesight  ... available in PRO version
12. Premature Ejaculation  ... available in PRO version
13. Spermatorrhea, Premature Ejaculation, with ... available in PRO version
14. To quench Lust, combine with ... available in PRO version
15. Swollen and inflamed Testicles from abstinence, combine with ... available in PRO version
16. Leukorrhea, with ... available in PRO version
17. Hernia, with ... available in PRO version
18. Lameness ... available in PRO version
19. Fistula in the corner of the Eye ... available in PRO version

Major Formula:
Decoction of Hyssop and Rue
Cephalic Decoction (Charras)
Decoction for Cold Coughs (Nicolas Myrepsus)
Decoction of Elecampane and Rue
Decoction for Chlorosis
Syrup of Betony (Bononiense)
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Electuary of Nuts (Mithridate)
Electuary of Dates (Diaphoenicum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Hyssop (Diahyssopus) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Bayberries (Electuarium de Baccis Lauri)
Lesser Cumin Composition of Galen
Confection of Eyebright (Confectio Humain) (Mesue)
Powder of Licorice (Unani)
Powder Against Rabies
Uterine Powder (Species Hysterica)
Foetid Pills Minor of Galen
Foetid Pills Major of Galen
Foetid Pills (Mesue)
Pills to Aggregate Greater (Mesue)
Oil for Lameness

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Cautions:
1. Not used during Pregnancy or when Breastfeeding (it can dry up milk)
2. Not used in Uterine Bleeding
3. Not used in Yin deficiency (very drying)
4. Some people may experience Melancholy or sleep disorders with use of Rue.
5. Phototoxicity can occur with usage of Rue.

Main Preparations used:
Tincture of Rue