Eden Apothecary · Herb Profile
Ruta graveolens
Pronounced ROO; Ruta graveolens = ROO-tuh grav-ee-OH-lenz
Warm, dry, and acrid: a pungent bitter antispasmodic and emmenagogue that unlocks cramp and colic and moves suppressed, stagnant flow, with a narrow margin before it turns toxic.
Contraindicated. Rue is a documented uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, and abortifacient with a long cross-cultural history of use to terminate pregnancy; case reports link attempted use to multi-organ toxicity and death. The AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook (2nd ed., 2013) lists Ruta graveolens as not to be used during pregnancy, and Brinker lists it as contraindicated in pregnancy. Sources: AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook, 2nd ed. (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013); Brinker, Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions; IPCS INCHEM Poisons Information Monograph 475 (Ruta graveolens).
Avoid. No adequate safety data exist for lactation, and the herb contains potentially toxic furanocoumarins and quinoline alkaloids whose excretion into milk is uncharacterized. Sources: AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook, 2nd ed. (insufficient data); NCCIH consumer guidance principle for herbs of unestablished lactation safety.
Avoid internal use in children; there is no established pediatric dosing and only a narrow margin between the effective and the toxic dose. Handling the fresh plant in sunlight can cause severe phototoxic blistering in children as in adults. Sources: AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook, 2nd ed.; IPCS INCHEM PIM 475 (overdose and phototoxicity).
Low-dose herb only: the gap between an effective and a toxic dose is narrow. Larger doses cause violent gastric pain, vomiting, and central nervous system depression or convulsions, and can damage the liver and kidneys. The distilled essential oil is toxic and must never be taken internally. Handling the fresh plant in sunlight can cause severe blistering (phytophotodermatitis). Not for long-term continuous use.
Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy (documented uterine stimulant, emmenagogue, and abortifacient) and in anyone actively trying to conceive. Avoid in lactation, in children, and in hepatic or renal impairment. Avoid the essential oil internally. Avoid skin contact with the fresh plant before sun exposure.
Not at risk. Ruta graveolens is a hardy, widely cultivated garden ornamental and culinary / medicinal herb, easily grown from seed or cuttings; it is not on the United Plant Savers list. Prefer cultivated material. Wear gloves and avoid sun after handling, as the fresh plant is phototoxic.
Named by Jesus in Luke 11:42: 'you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God.' (The Matthew 23:23 parallel names dill rather than rue.) Also long documented in Mediterranean tradition (Dioscorides, Pliny) as an antidote, emmenagogue, and vermifuge. Native to the Balkan Peninsula and the Mediterranean.
Related reading: Herbs in the Bible for Healing
The same herb can calm one person and wire another. Our free assessment reads your pattern across temperature, moisture and tone, then matches herbs to it.
Teaching children at home? Eden's Table builds a full herbalism curriculum around plants like this one.
