Ruta graveolens
Rue
Ruta graveolens, commonly known as rue, is a perennial shrub celebrated in traditional medicine for its potent aromatic properties. Characterized by its bluish-green, pinnate leaves, this hardy plant has been long utilized for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive benefits, though its high potency requires careful and expert application.
- Scientific name: Ruta graveolens
- Family: Rutaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Ruta and the species graveolens.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Rutaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ruta | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Ruta graveolens, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Poland, it is known as Ruta zwyczajna, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is simply called Ruta. In Belarus, the plant is referred to as Рута пахучая, and in Spain, it goes by the name Ruta graveolens. Additionally, in Hungary, it is commonly called kerti ruta.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Ruta zwyczajna | Wikidata |
| bs | Ruta | Wikidata |
| be | Рута пахучая | Wikidata |
| es | Ruta graveolency | Wikidata |
| hu | kerti ruta | Wikidata |
| de | Weinraute | Wikidata |
| ja | ヘンルーダ | Wikidata |
| sa | सुदाबसस्यम् | Wikidata |
| hsb | Winowa ruta | Wikidata |
| sv | Vinruta | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in Austria and Belgium. It also populates the territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, its range extends through the landscape of Germany.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as common rue, possesses several distinct morphological features that contribute to its medicinal properties. The leaves are highly characteristic, being deeply divided and blue-green in color, while the overall leaf structure provides a strong, pungent aroma. The stem is woody at the base and becomes more herbaceous toward the top, providing structural support for the foliage. Below the ground, the root system helps anchor the plant and absorb necessary nutrients from the soil. In various traditional applications, the dried leaf powder is often prepared and used for its therapeutic potential in folk medicine.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf powder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ruta graveolens has 44 reported phytochemicals identified across 59 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include rutin, bergapten, coumarins, dictamnine, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 44
- Scientific sources
- 59
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rutin | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| bergapten | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dictamnine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| furanocoumarins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gamma-fagarine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| graveolinine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kokusaginine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| psoralen | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ruta graveolens has 14 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antidote.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidote | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Clastogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ruta graveolens has 39 reported medicinal uses identified across 39 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Candida albicans, Diabetes mellitus, Trichomonas vaginalis, Vitiligo.
- Total uses
- 39
- Scientific sources
- 39
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Trichomonas vaginalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vitiligo | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| airway remodeling | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihelmintics | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| backache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |