Ruta chalepensis

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Ruta chalepensis L.

Rutaceae

  • Ruta bracteosa DC.
  • Egyptian Rue
  • Fringed Rue
  • Wall Rue
  • feijan فيجن
  • sozab سذاب
  • peigam matzuy
  • פֵּיגָם מָצוּי

Chamaephyte

  • Mediterranean maquis and forest
Click Flora of Israel Online to view distribution
and other botanical details.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Ruta chalepensis L.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/ Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cardiovascular

Heart pain

Analgesic, Cardiac

Cook plant + Nigella sp. in water (Admin. not specified.)

Aerial parts, Leaf Z
Child health

Abdominal pain in babies

Carminative

Crush leaves, mix + "qandi" (large crystal sugar) & let baby suck on mixture.

Leaf Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Deafness

Non-specific

Cook aerial parts in olive oil, cool, filter & apply drops into ear x3/day.

Aerial parts Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Ear inflammation/ tinnitus.

Anti-inflammatory, Anti-tinnitus

1. Mix aerial parts + cloves (Eugenia sp.) + olive oil, cook & apply drops into ear.
2. Grind aerial parts + "'uzab" (? identity), warm in oil & apply as drops to ear.

Aerial parts Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Earache

Analgesic

1.Cook plant in olive oil & apply drops into ear x3/day.
2. Mix aerial parts & leaves + Origanum syriacum + lightly warmed oil. (Admin. not specified.)

Aerial parts, Leaf Z
Gastrointestinal

Abdominal pain

Carminative

Cook plant in water & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Carminative for stomach/ digestive tract inflammation

Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Demulcent

Decoct plant in water & drink x3 small cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea

Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal

Grind dried plant into powder & eat.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Haemorrhoids

Anti-haemorrhoidal

Decoct aerial parts & apply as poultice locally to affected area before sleeping.

Aerial parts B
Gastrointestinal

Jaundice

Hepatic

Decoct plant in water & drink x3 small cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
General

Body pain & strengthening the body.

Analgesic, Tonic

1. Prepare infusion of plant & drink.
2. Use plant as food seasoning.

Aerial parts Z
General

Drunkenness

Anti-intoxicant

Mix plant + thyme (Thymus sp.) + oil & use as salve.

Aerial parts, Leaf Z
General

Fluid accumulation in body: "zalal"

Anti-hydropic

Cook aerial parts in water in closed pot + Dittrichia viscosa + "rand" (Laurus sp.) + "maryameyeh" (Salvia fruticosa); patient dressed in a loose gown stands over the rising steam as long as possible, then goes to bed & keeps warm.

Aerial parts Z
Helminth infections

Expel intestinal worms

Anthelmintic, Vermifuge

1. Mix leaves + mint leaves + peach leaves. (Admin. not specified.)
2. Cook aerial parts in olive oil & drink x1 cup before breakfast.

Aerial parts, Leaf Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Dissolve stones in kidneys & urinary tract

Anti-lithic

Decoct plant in water & drink x2 cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Diuretic

Diuretic

Decoct plant in water & drink x2 cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Pain in urinary tract/ bladder/ kidneys

Analgesic/ Demulcent

Cook plant in water, add to bath & immerse.

Aerial parts Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary obstruction

Deobstruent

Decoct aerial parts in water + corn stigmata (See NOTES 1) & drink; also stand over steam of decoction.

Aerial parts Z
Mens Health

Scrotal oedema

Anti-hydropic

Eat fresh green leaves + stems.

Leaf, Stem Z
Mental Health

Attacks of insanity

Anti-psychotic

Cook plant in water, add to bath & immerse.

Aerial parts Z
Mental Health

Depression & fatigue

Anti-depressant, Tonic

1. Prepare infusion of plant & drink.
2. Use plant as food seasoning.

Aerial parts Z
Mental Health

Fear

Anxiolytic

Cook plant in water + cumin & drink like tea.

Aerial parts Z
Men`s Health/ Sexuality

Increase virility

Aphrodisiac

Decoct plant in water & drink x3 cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
Musculoskeletal/ joints

Knee pain

Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory

Cook plant in water, add to bath & immerse.

Aerial parts Z
Musculoskeletal/ joints

Muscle cramps, especially face

Anti-spasmodic, Muscle relaxant

Face cramps: 1. Mix plant + olive oil + Nigella sativa, boil & massage. General cramps:
2. Cook plant in olive oil & massage.

Aerial parts Z
Musculoskeletal/ joints

Reset/ mend a poorly healed bone fracture.

Vulnerary

Cook aerial parts in water in closed pot + Dittrichia?viscosa + "maryameyeh" (Salvia fruticosa) + branches of "el-ghar" (Laurus) + "el-butum" (Pistacia atlantica) + "saris" (Pistacia lentiscus) + "sarw" (Cupressus sp.); place affected limb in steam for few minutes. When removed bone fracture can be tapped lightly to reset correctly.

Aerial parts Z
Musculoskeletal/ joints

Rheumatic pain back/ legs/ arms

Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory

1.Boil or cook aerial parts in olive oil, cool, filter through gauze & use as massage lotion.
2. Prepare steam bath of green leaves & stems + Dittrichia viscosa + Nigella sativa.
3. Decoct in oil, green leaves & stems + Dittrichia viscosa + Nigella sativa & massage with oil.
4. Mix aerial parts + thyme (Thymus sp.) + oil & use as salve.

Aerial parts, Leaf, Stem Z
Nervous system

Headache

Analgesic

1. Grind plant + cloves (Eugenia sp.) + lavander (Lavandula sp.) + onion; steep in vinegar & spread over forehead
2. Mix plant + thyme (Thymus sp.) + oil & use as salve.

Aerial parts Leaf Z
Nervous system

Involuntary hand movements; Parkinson`s

Nervine

Decoct plant in water & drink x2 cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
Nervous system

Paralysis

Nervine

Cook 200 gm of plant in 3 cups water, add +1 cup oil & drink x1 cup every morning.

Aerial parts Z
Nervous system

Sciatica

Analgesic

Squeeze juice from leaves, drink & use as compress.

Leaf Z
Opthalmic

Prepare antiseptic eyedrops

Anti-septic

Use juice of fresh plant as drops & apply to eye x2/day.

Aerial parts Z
Opthalmic

Weak eyesight

Visual health

Roast leaves + Coriandrum sativum fruit, grind, sift & apply to eyelid rim like "kohol" (eyeliner). (See NOTES
2.)

Leaf Z
Poisons

Poisoning

Antidote

Eat fresh green leaves + stems.

Leaf, Stem Z
Respiratory

Asthma/ allergic cough

Anti-allergy, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-tussive

1. Cook plant in water & drink.
2. Allergic cough: decoct plant in water & drink x3 small cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
Ritual/ Ceremonial

Against the evil eye

Ritual

1. Place whole plant in the house or plant it in the garden. (B)
2. Plant in front of home, cut leaves on 10th & 20th days of Hebrew month with a gold coin; dry leaves & prepare as an amulet to wear.(Z)

Aerial parts, Leaf, Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) B, Z
Venoms, Bites & Stings

Scorpion bite

Anti-venom

Squeeze juice from leaves, drink & use as compress.

Leaf Z
Women`s Health

Accelerate labour

Oxytocic

Use juice from leaves & apply as compress to abdomen.

Leaf Z
Women`s Health

Induce abortion

Abortifacient

Use "5 dirhams of leaves" (See NOTES 4). (Further details Preparation/ Admin. not specified).

Leaf Z
Women`s Health

Promote menstruation

Emmenagogue

Prepare bath with leaves + Dittrichia viscosa leaves.

Leaf Z
Women`s Health

Uterine inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Mix aerial parts & leaves + Pelargonium sp. (See NOTES 3) + Rosmarinus+ Curcuma + Origanum sp. + little salt; prepare tampon & use vaginally

Aerial parts, Leaf Z

Other Uses

Ruta chalepensis L.

System/State Complaint / Use Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/Administration
Parts Used
Source
Culinary

Seasoning, fragrant & flavorful for olives;

Seasoning

Add to olives during preparation.

Aerial parts Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

1. Corn stigmata/ Stigmata maydis refers to stigmas of the female flowers of maize, (corn silk, Zea maydis).
2. In the recipe for weak eyesight, "khol" or "kohol" is an ancient eye cosmetic used in mascara as eyeliner & to protect the eyes from the harmful effects of the sun. Composed of Lead sulphide (PbS or Galena) it was applied especially amongst populations living in desert conditions. "Kohl " often had other ingredients.
3. In the recipe for uterine inflammation, Pelagonium sp. are southern African plants of the Geranium family.
4. For the recipe to induce an abortion using " 5 dirhams of leaves", Z notes that because the dirham is a coin, "5 dirhams" may refer to either its monetary value or weight.

Cautions

Ruta genus has some species which may contain quinoline alkaloids & coumarins. Photoxic reactions on skin are possible after exposure to sunlight. Volatile oil orally is associated with gastric symptoms. Contraindicated in poor kidney function & pregnancy as can cause abortion. Fatal toxicity in large doses.