Ruta(Ruta graveolens) is an easy-to-grow herbal plant with a wide range of applications. In Poland, it has long been cultivated in rural gardens as a wedding ceremonial plant and on herbal plantations.The healing properties of common routemeant that this plant was used not only in medicine but also in cosmetics. See whatcultivating common rue looks likeand find out what it can beusing rue herbgrowing in your garden!
Ordinary ruta - Ruta graveolens
Fig. depositphotos.com
Ordinary route - properties
Common rue is a tall perennial(grows up to about 100 cm in height) with a branched, woody stem at the bottom, covered with feathery leaves. When we look at the rue leaves from the bottom, against the light, it turns out that the leaves show through as if they were perforated. This is due to the presence of the oil reservoirs.Greenish-yellow flowers of common ruebloom at the tops of the shoots from June to July, and the fruit is a brown bag. The entire plant is covered with a bluish bloom and gives off a musky smell. Thehealing properties of rue , due to the content of many different alkaloids and essential oil in rue herb, speak for the cultivation of this plant.
The herb rue(Rutae herba) and its leaves (Rutae folium) are used as medicinal raw materials. The tops of plants are harvested before flowering and then dried in an airy place.Herb ruta, contains such active substancesas:
- alkaloids(as many as 39 alkaloids from various chemical groups, including quinoline, furoquinoline and acridine alkaloids),
- essential oil , which contains monoterpene compounds, including limonene, menthol, linalool, and α and β-pinene,
- coumarinsand their methyl and hydroxyl derivatives,
- flavonoids(rutin, quercetin, kaempferol),
- phenolic acids(chlorogenic, ferulic, protocatechic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric),
- and very small amounts of lignans, polysaccharides and lipids.
Common rout - leaves
Fig. Dinkum, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
The healing effect of routinewas used centuries ago, when it was attributed its diastolic and diuretic properties, the ability to improve eyesight and detoxify the body, as well as abortive effects.It is also worth taking into accountthe beneficial effects of ruta on the circulatory system , the possibility of using it in the treatment of varicose veins and atherosclerosis prevention, or to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. Research is currently being conducted on theanti-cancer properties of routineand the possibilities of using its herb in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Good to know!
Common rue gave its name to a chemical called rutin, which, when combined with vitamin C, is part of many medications for colds and immunity. This is justified because routine slows down the oxidation of vitamin C. Rutin also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, strengthens blood vessels, has an anticoagulant effect and can reduce allergy-induced annoyance.
Ordinary route - application
Ordinary rue has been used in medicine, cooking and cosmetology . In the Middle Ages, it was considered an aphrodisiac.
Sometimesrue extracts are usedfor migraine headaches and painful periods.
Rue preparations are recommended to be usedin atherosclerosis and hypertension and in the case of high permeability of blood vessels. The essential oil contained in the herb and leaves of rue is used for perfuming soaps and creams.
Withdried rue herb , we can use it at home in 3 ways:
- infusion(2 tablespoons of herb are poured over a glass of boiling water and set aside for an hour, then filtered and used for washing, rinses and compresses),
- oil extract(half a glass of rue is poured with 200 ml of oil at 60 ° C, sealed in a jar and allowed to digest for 10 days, after filtering it can be rubbed into skin in ulcerated areas, with purulent lesions, bruises, varicose veins or hives),
- tincture(pour 300 ml of 40% alcohol over half a cup of rue, leave for 2 weeks, then filter and use externally for rubbing and washing).
In the kitchen, common rout can be usedto flavor vodkas and liqueurs. Fresh and dried rue leaves are used as spices. In German cuisine, rue is added to fish, cheese and game, while in Italy it is added to wine, cocktails and herb vinegar.
Ruta can be mixed with herbs such as tarragon, sage, lovage and marjoram to createan aromatic blend of herbs . It will be a great addition to salads, meat sauces and vegetarian dishes.
To prepare an aromatic herbal blendyou will need: 1-2 rue tops, 2 tarragon sprouts, 1 sage, 1 lovage leaf and marjoram stem. Herbs should be finely chopped, mixed and added to the food.
Ruta is also used in the gardenas a plant that repels cats (they don't like the smell of rue) and as a honey plant that attracts beneficial bees.
Common rout in the garden
Fig. I. Sáček, senior, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Ordinary routine - contraindications
Despite the valuablehealing properties of rue , it should be remembered that there are also numerouscontraindications to the use of rue . Here are the most important of them:
- Touching the fresh herb rue may cause bullous dermatitis in sensitive individuals . Therefore, be careful if you are going to harvest the herb for the first time. It is also best to wear protective gloves.
- The rue herb contains furanocoumarins, which sensitize the skin to the sun (photosensitization).Therefore, avoid sun and UV radiation from other sources during the routine treatment. We should also remember that photosensitization most often occurs in spring and summer, so it is better to avoid the use of preparations from the usual routine during this period.
- Women are not recommended to use higher doses of rueextracts as this may cause excessive uterine contractions and excessive bleeding, and even miscarriage in pregnant women. In the past, rue was used just as an abortive measure. That is whypregnant women should not use any supplements from the routine
- Ordinary rue herbs should not be used by men trying to have a baby , because this herb may weaken sperm motility.
Bullous dermatitis after contact with common rout
Fig. Vincent, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Ruta - cultivation in the garden
Common rout can be grownon sandy and sandy loam soils, although it yields much better in fertile soils. It prefers soil with a high calcium content.The recommended soil pH is 6.6 - 7.2. Ruta feels best in full sun.A rock garden or a herb bed will be an ideal place to grow common routin the company of other herbs.Common rote grows particularly well next to sage and thymeRemember not to plant rue next to marjoram, because they harm each other.
Proper care is important for the success of cultivationcare routine , and most of all its trimming.Routine cuttingis performed in spring, cutting the plant's shoots down to the lignified stems. If the plant's habit becomes excessively loose, you can also shorten the shoots after flowering.Excessively bulky routes can also be divided in spring , and new plants should be planted every 30 cm.
It is not recommendedto fertilize the route , because on an excessively enriched soil, this plant will produce a lot of non-lignified shoots that will freeze in winter.If we avoid this mistake, we will enjoy Ordinary Routine for many years. Just remember thatit is advisable to covermade of fir, dry peat or straw in the winter, especially ifthe place where the common rout isis exposed to frosts. In sheltered and secluded places, rue winters fairly well without cover.
The untrimmed rut takes on an excessively loose shape
Fig. pixabay.com
Usually it is not necessarywatering the routineas this plant does very well in dry soils. Thanks to this, it can be planted on dry slopes, near garden walls and in other sunny places where there is a lack of moisture.
Common rue is propagated from seeds , which are sown in spring (in April) for an inspection or seedbed. Emergence occurs after 2-3 weeks. The seedlings are planted permanently at the end of May or at the beginning of June, spaced 40 x 40 cm.Plants in the first year will only produce a leaf rosette, and they will not bloom until the next year.
Propagation of ruecan also be done in spring by division, which I mentioned a moment earlier, and by shoot cuttings. For this, in late summer, partially lignified cuttings are taken and rooted in a cold inspection. A good substrate will be compost soil mixed with coarse sand and fine gravel.
Harvesting and drying rue herb
The herbal raw material is leaves and rueThey are harvested twice at the turn of June and July and at the end of August, cutting plants 10-15 cm high. Drying of the raw material should take place at a temperature not exceeding 35 ° C, in airy and shaded places.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
