Rue Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Rue, also known as Ruta graveolens, is an evergreen shrub from the Rutaceae family. Rue is native to Southern Europe and is a traditional garden plant in England. It has a long history of being cultivated for herbal medicine and has been used since the days of the Ancient Romans. Hippocrates used common rue as a treatment for many conditions. These applications are still used today in natural healing.¹

Rue is a shrubby plant that grows up to 4 feet tall and produces yellow blossoms. It has bluish-green oblong leaves. Rue has a distinct and powerful odor and a bitter taste. The entire plant is used in medicinal remedies and can be taken either fresh or dried. ^1,2

Rue Health Uses and Health Benefits

Rue contains certain phytochemicals that give it medicinal properties. These rue health benefits include being a natural analgesic and antispasmodic. This means that rue can be used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, gout or other joint diseases. ³

Traditionally, rue has also been used as a way to alleviate menstrual cramping and gas and bloating. Rue has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial health benefits as well. Taking rue as a tonic aids with digestion and can help to eliminate intestinal worms.³

Other rue health benefits include:

• Stimulating appetite
• Relieving baby colic
• Alleviating nervousness and anxiety
• Treating coughs

References

1. https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/rue---20.html
2. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b714 
3. http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-ruta-rua.html