Feb

Rue for gout and an antidote

Posted by frann under Common garden herbs

rue Rue for gout and an antidote Rue, Ruta graveolens, also known as Common or Garden Rue and Herb of Grace, is an attractive evergreen shrub with bluish green foliage in clusters of spatula-like leaves and yellow flowers. It is not related to either the European Goat’s Rue or the Virginian Goat’s Rue.

Rue was blessed by the Prophet of Islam after it cured him of an illness.

In Shakespearian times, herb rue was called the herb of sorrow. In Richard II, Act 3, the gardener plants a bed of rue in the place where he saw the Queen’s tears fall.

It is said to thrive in poor, dry soil. I had one in a container for many years, and it seemed perfectly happy in the rather windy corridor beside my front door (which was at the side of the house). Mine reached a height and spread of about 18 inches (45cm). And although the name graveolens means strong smelling, I can’t say it was unpleasant, so the fact that it is used in the perfume industry is not surprising. Moths and fleas are said not to like the scent, however, and the dried herb was once used as a strewing herb – and is still sometimes used as a moth repellent.

Rue should be handled with care, as many people find that it causes the skin to blister, especially in sunshine. As a kitchen herb, it is not often used outside Ethiopia, most likely on account of its bitterness, although it is sometimes included in fish dishes. However, if you want the flavor of rue without the bitterness, it is possible to achieve this by steeping the fresh leaves in the sauce of the dish for just a minute, and then removing it. This works because the bitter rutin is not released as quickly as the essential oil from which the flavor is obtained.

Rue was used as an abortifacient in the past (and is still used as such in New Mexico, according to Wikipedia), and is therefore not suitable for use by pregnant women (or those trying to conceive). It is toxic in large amounts.

Rue is a source of rutin, which is sometimes used as a treatment for haemophilia, and to aid circulation. The rutin is the reason why rue is so bitter.

The part of the plant which is used in herbal medicine is the young shoots and tops. These are gathered before flowering, and can be dried for later use. A tisane is made using half a teaspoonful of dried herb (or a teaspoonful of fresh), steeped in 125 ml (a half US cup, 4 fl oz) boiling water for 10 minutes. The dose is a half US cup a day. A cold extract can also be made by soaking 1 teaspoonful of dried herb or 2 teaspoonfuls of fresh in 190 ml (a three quarter US cup, 6 fl oz) of cold water for 10 hours. The dose is a three quarter US cup a day. Either of these can be used to treat gout, to induce menstruation and has been used as an antidote to poisoning – but on no account rely solely on any herbal medicine for serious acute problems of this nature – do not delay to call a doctor or visit your local casualty center if poisoning is suspected.

As with all herbs used for medicinal purposes, it’s important that rue is grown organically, to avoid its properties being adversely affected by foreign chemicals. To find out more about growing organic rue visit the Gardenzone.