Pachilai / Aruvatham Pachai / Common rue (Raw) / (Ruta Graveolens) Ruda Arutha Plants Leaves / Herb of Grace

Common Rue is a powerful medicinal herb that demands respect and careful handling. At traditional medicinal doses (very small quantities under practitioner guidance), it has been used safely for centuries. However, there are important risks to understand. Pregnancy: Rue is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy — it is a known abortifacient and uterine stimulant that can cause miscarriage. Women who are pregnant or suspect pregnancy must not consume this herb in any form. Photosensitivity: Furanocoumarins in Rue can cause phototoxic skin reactions — if the plant juice or a concentrated preparation contacts your skin and that skin is then exposed to sunlight, painful blistering can occur. Always wash hands after handling and avoid sun exposure on treated skin. Dosage: Rue is toxic at high doses — symptoms of overdose include severe gastrointestinal distress, kidney damage, and in extreme cases, liver failure. Never exceed practitioner-recommended doses. Internal use should always be supervised by a qualified Siddha, Ayurvedic, or Unani physician.

Aruvatham Pachai has a documented history of traditional use for epileptic seizures and nervous convulsions in Siddha and Unani medicine. However, it is absolutely critical to understand that this traditional use does not mean you should self-treat epilepsy or discontinue prescribed anticonvulsant medication. Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that requires professional medical management. If you are interested in exploring Rue as a complementary approach alongside your existing treatment, discuss this with both your neurologist and a qualified Siddha or Ayurvedic physician who can assess potential interactions between Rue and your current medications. Some compounds in Rue may interact with anticonvulsant drugs, potentially altering their effectiveness. Never abruptly stop or reduce prescribed seizure medication — this can trigger dangerous breakthrough seizures. The traditional applications referenced here are for educational and informational purposes only.

Store dried Pachilai leaves in an airtight glass jar or sealed container in a cool, dark, dry location — away from direct sunlight and moisture. A kitchen cupboard away from the stove is ideal. The strong aromatic compounds in Rue are volatile and will gradually dissipate over time, especially if exposed to air, heat, or light. Properly stored in a sealed container, dried Rue leaves retain good potency for 12-18 months. You can assess freshness by crushing a leaf between your fingers — if it still releases a strong, sharp, bitter-aromatic scent, it’s still potent. If the scent has become faint or hay-like, the volatile compounds have largely degraded and a fresh batch would be more effective. Keep out of reach of children and clearly label the container, as this is a potent medicinal herb, not a culinary ingredient for casual use.

Yes — Common Rue has several potential drug interactions that users must be aware of. People taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel) should avoid Rue, as rutin and other compounds may affect blood clotting parameters. Those taking anticonvulsant medications for epilepsy should only use Rue under strict medical supervision, as the herb may interact with or alter the effectiveness of these drugs. Rue’s emmenagogue properties mean it should be avoided alongside hormonal medications, including oral contraceptives, without medical advice. Because Rue is metabolised through the liver, individuals taking medications processed by hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes should exercise particular caution — the furanocoumarins in Rue can potentially inhibit these enzymes, altering drug metabolism. People with kidney disease, liver disease, or gastrointestinal ulcers should avoid Rue entirely. When in doubt, always consult your healthcare provider before combining this herb with any prescription medication.

Rutin — one of the most widely studied bioflavonoids in modern pharmacology — was literally named after Ruta graveolens, the plant from which it was first isolated in 1842. Rutin is a flavonoid glycoside with demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vascular-strengthening properties. It reduces capillary fragility, improves microcirculation, and has been studied for potential benefits in varicose veins, haemorrhoids, and diabetic retinopathy. While Rue was the original source, rutin is also found in significant quantities in other plants including buckwheat, citrus fruits (especially the rind), asparagus, and elderflower. However, Rue contains rutin alongside dozens of other bioactive compounds — alkaloids, furanocoumarins, volatile oils — that work synergistically in ways that isolated rutin supplements cannot replicate. This is the traditional medicine perspective: the whole herb delivers a therapeutic complex greater than the sum of its isolated parts.