Green Drink Reviews

Arruda: Plant for Your Protection, the Benefits of Rue

September 21st, 2008

For ages, Arruda, also known as Rue and Herb of Grace (scientific name Ruta graveolens) has been used to purify environments, repel parasites, and clear the mind of negative thoughts and energies. Arruda as it’s known in my homeland of Brazil, is originally from the Mediterranean region and grows well in dry environments. It thrives in direct sunlight. In my country, it’s commonly used as an anti-parasitic and many people place a sprig of it in the closet or dresser drawer to keep the bugs away.

The Romans and Greeks commonly used Rue to remove negative energies and to treat a variety of health issues. You know the classic image of a Greek male with a sprig of leaves in his hair? Well, that was probably Rue in his hair…there to keep the lice away. Even Shakespeare referred to Rue as the “sacred herb of sundays” (Hamlet). It was commonly dipped in water and shaken at the faithful to clear them of negative spirits. Some cultures use Rue in cooking, as it’s rich in vitamin C. Its leaves and seeds are used in salads and sauces while its leaves are also dried and used in tea. In Europe, it was often infused into wine and stronger alcoholic drinks, such as Grappa, to aid in digestion.

Rue is from the Rutaceae family, rich in salicylic acid, alcaloides, flavonoids, rutin, quercetin, fenols, and many other substances useful in pharmaceuticals. A plant with similar properties in my homeland of Brazil, known as Jamborandi, is used widely in the pharmaceutical business, including medicines to fight glaucoma.

Besides all this, it can also be used to counter Belladona poisoning and for bad breath.

In natural health circles, Rue is used to support the kidneys, bladder, intestines and inner ear. It can also be used for infections of the eyes, constipation, sciatica, asthma, headaches, dermatitis, and strokes. However, it must be used in moderation, as too much Rue can be toxic; pregnant women or those desiring to get pregnant should stay away from Rue, as it has abortive properties.

You can grow Rue yourself in the backyard. It’s a hardy plant the requires direct sunlight. It can be found under the names Arruda, Common Rue, Herb of Grace, Ruta, Golden Rue, Herbygrass, Somalata, Weinraute, Sadab and German Rue. If you’re not up for growing your own, you can also find it in herbal mixtures of all kinds.

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