herbal treasure chest: rue

rue

how to grow:

Rue can easily be grown from seeds. It is a perennial and grows in US hardiness zones 5-9.

medicinal properties:

In the olden times the judges used this herb to keep mosquitoes and fleas away.
I am a bit confliced on this herb. I like the plant but have never used it and some authors are very cautious about it. It should usually only be used in small doses and mostly externally (not more than 10-15 drops as tincture externally). It can help with menstrual cramps and can relax muscles, especially in the digestive system.

rue

cautions and side effects:

Drunk as a tea it can also be used as an arbortive but deaths have occured so this method is absolutely not recommended.
Don't use this herb when pregnant or breastfeeding
Anyone with heart, kidney or liver damage or who is taking heart medication should stay away from this plant.
It can cause anxiety or fear.
It can cause rashes and blistering.
Some people are very allergic to this plant even if they are only touching it. Michael Tierra mentions in his book that in those cases applying goldenseal either internally or externally is a good antidode.

rue

how to grow:

medicinal properties:

cautions and side effects:

further reading: