R
pasmodic compounds, rue is also a poisonous plant, both internally and externally. “The plant
should not be ingested, especially by pregnant women” (LRNP-July 1989). Having seen it applied
cosmetically, and consumed internally in Peru, where I have visited regularly for a decade, I find
the APA entry even more alarming. The volatile oil “can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting,
convulsive twitching, life-threatening miscarriage, and other serious complications, including fatal
ones, if taken in large doses” (APA, citing LAF). Solvent extracts of rue have antifertility effects
in rats when added to diet, even up to 10 days after coitus (TAD). With more than 40 alkaloids
and 40 coumarins, this chemistry set might defy standardization concepts. LD50 EO = 2540 orl
mus (HH2), LD50 EO = >5000 orl rat (HH2).RUPTUREWORT (Herniaria glabra L.) ++EFS and HHB lump H. glabra L. with H. hirsuta L. WOI entries were reported for H. glabra or
H. hirsuta. I think the two can logically be treated generically.
Activities (Rupturewort) — Antidiuretic (f; HHB); Antiseptic (f; HHB); Antispasmodic (f; EFS;
PH2); Astringent (f; EFS; WOI); Depurative (f; PH2); Diuretic (1; HHB; PH2; X10709449);
Expectorant (f; EFS); Hemolytic (f; WOI); Hypotensive (1; X11427823); Kaliuretic (1;
X10709449); Litholytic (f; EFS); Saluretic (1; X10709449).
Indications (Rupturewort) — Albuminuria (f; MAD); Anuria (f; MAD); Bladder Stone (f; EFS);
Bright’s Disease (f; MAD); Bronchosis (f; MAD); Catarrh (f; GMH; MAD); Cramp (f; EFS; PH2);
Cystosis (f; EFS; GMH; PH2); Dropsy (f; MAD); Dysuria (f; PH2); Fracture (f; MAD); Gallstone
(f; MAD); Gonorrhea (f; MAD); Gout (f; PH2); High Blood Pressure (1; X11427823); Jaundice
(f; MAD); Kidney Stone (f; MAD); Metrosis (f; MAD); Nephrosis (f; MAD; PH2); Neurosis (f;
PH2); Respirosis (f; PH2); Rheumatism (f; PH2); Stone (f; EFS; MAD; PH2); Syphilis (f; MAD);
Tenesmus (f; MAD); Tuberculosis (f; PH2); Urethrosis (f; MAD; PH2); VD (f; MAD); Water
Retention (f; HHB; PH2).
Dosages (Rupturewort) — 3 tsp (ca 5.8 g) shoot in cold or hot infusion (MAD); 1 tsp (1.4–1.5
g) shoot in tea 2–3 ×/day (PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Rupturewort) — Not covered (AHP; KOM).
“Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). The coumarin
reported from H. hirsuta by WOI is said to be powerfully narcotic and gastroirritant, in large doses
causing cardiodepression, coldness of the extremities, nausea, vertigo, and vomiting (WOI).RYE (Secale cereale L.) +Activities (Rye) — Antiinflammatory (f; SHT).
Indications (Rye) — Adenoma (f; SHT); BPH (f; SHT); Dysuria (f; SHT); Inflammation (f; SHT).
Dosages (Rye) — 80–120 mg pollen StX/day (SHT).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Rye) — No contraindications were reported.
Rare GI and dermatitic side effects were reported. Varro Tyler cautioned against self-medication
of BPH. Whenever treating BPH a practitioner should be involved. Base-line levels of PSA should
be established before considering an herbal treatment (JAD).