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Native to the Mediterranean region but distributed throughout the world and cultivated as medicinal and ornamental herb. The herb was held in high esteem by the Greeks and Romans. Aristotle mentioned that the weasel rubs itself against this plant before fighting with serpents. Hippocrates considered it resolvent and diuretic, while Pliny called it one of the best medicinal herbs. Rue has been called the “Herb of Grace” because its bitterness makes it the symbol of repentance. Among the Muslims it is highly revered, for it was blessed by the grateful Prophet after it had cured him of an illness. In superstitious practices of the time, the plant was hung round the neck as a charm against vertigo and epilepsy; it was considered emblematic of good luck, and a protection against sorcery, an herb dear to women. Dioscorides described rue injurious to pregnant women, as it was regarded antaphrodisiac and to cause abortion in pregnant women. Arab physicians regarded it attenuant, vesicant and stimulant, and used it to increase mental powers, to act as a tonic and digestive, and to increase urinary and menstrual excretions. Old European physicians considered it antispasmodic, emmenagogue, and stimulant, and prescribed it in hysteria and flatulent colic. In Taiwan its decoction is used for cardioprotection, and to treat various rheumatological and skin diseases in Spain. Traditionally it is used by the Jordanian population for its diuretic, antispasmodic, sedative and analgesic effects, and externally as an antirheumatic, and was used in medieval Persian medicine as a male contraceptive. It has frequently been used with success to procure abortion, starting with pain in the back bearing down, and frequent micturition, followed by pains and abortion about ten days after starting administration of the herb. Roots yielded coumarin derivative, naphthoherniarin, furanoacridone and dihydrofuroacridone alkaloids. Aerial parts contain simple coumarins, furanocoumarins, dihydrofuranocoumarins, quinoline and quinolone alkaloids, phenolic compounds, glycosides, and ketones. Potential anticonception activity of powdered root, aerial parts and the aqueous extract of aerial parts was reported in rats. Reduced spermatogenesis in rats was also reported of ethanol extract after 20-days treatment. |
