Ruta graveolens, commonly termed as herb-of-grace is an overlooked remedial plant that can bring about a lot of medicinal benefits. It is usually grown as an ornamental plant that grows to a medium height of approximately 3 feet, adorned with yellow blooms and extremely aromatic but slightly toxic blue-green leaves.
Historically, rue was employed for strengthening the activities of weakened eyes. Rue has now been determined to be effective against helminths, spasms, flatulence, amenorrhea, cough, urinary tract infections, and abdominal pain. The juice of the rue plant is quite potent in curing earache, headaches, palpitation, inflammation, and even sprains. Rue leaves have a great impact on the circulatory system as they are liable to reduce the fragility of vessels.
Rue leaves are utilized or as a seasoning force to offer the dish some strong flavor. However, the plant has some downsides about it too. It can induce miscarriage due to its abortifacient property and should be avoided by the pregnant population. It can also make sensitize the skin of some people towards the light, leading to dermatitis.
Rue is packed with many alkaloids like graceoline, graveolinine, gravacridone, furacridone, and coumarins that help give rue the universally known magical powers to help people.