Ruta Graveolens - A homeopathic remedy for increasing stamina

INTRODUCTION

Homeopathy is an alternative medicinal field like Ayurveda and has been practiced for more than 200 years. The homeopathic treatment is mainly based on three important factors: ‘principle of similitude’, ‘experimentation of substances in healthy individuals’ and ‘dynamized medicines’. Homeopathic treatments are based on the principal that 'like cures like', in a tiny dilution, to such an extent that they go beyond Avogadro’s number (1,2). Hence the effect of homeopathic drugs, could be analysed in healthy individuals and could be applied according to the principle of the similarity of symptoms. Ruta Graveolens is such a homeopathic medicinal plant and is available in the trade name Ruta Grav.

INGREDIENT DESCRIPTION

Ruta Graveolens is a strongly scented evergreen shrub which has many homeopathic medicinal uses. It belongs to the family Rutacea and is about 20-60cm tall. It is commonly seen in Mediterranean region, Macaronesia and Australia. The leaves are blue or green in colour and it is bipinnate, or tripinnate with a feathery appearance. The flowers are yellow in colour with 4-6 petals and 1 cm diameter. The fruits are 4-5 lobed capsules with numerous seeds.

CULINARY AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Ruta Graveolens is been widely used in Middle Eastern Cuisine in spite of its bitter taste. The leaves and oil are used in many beverages e.g.: Italian grape spirit. It has also been widely used as an insect repellent because of its strong pungent smell. The oil has been used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics such as soaps, creams & lotions.

MEDICINAL USES

Ruta Graveolens contain a number of active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins and essential oil. Rutin a flavonoid present in it has the ability to decrease blood capillary permeability and fragility which is concerned with its eye action. Alkaloids and Coumarins present in it have antispasmodic action. Ruta Grav is an excellent remedy for pain and soreness in the bones, joints, tendons, and cartilage. International Academy of Classical Homeopathy, Greece explains detail about its clinical power to overcome degenerative problems in the knees. Ruta Grav is used as a 1st Aid treatment for sprains, injuries, strain, bruises bones, pulled ligaments. Sprains or fractures can also be well treated using Ruta Grav. It is also a good remedy for ankle sprains, soreness in the feet, ankles, achilles heel, and lower back pain.

The Book titled ‘Homeopathy for Musculoskeleton’ includes excellent sections on symptoms associated with Ruta Grav and other important remedies

Useful for:

Key Symptoms:

EYESTRAIN

Overuse
Injury
Eyes red, hot, burning
Dim vision
Pressure deep in eyeball or over eyebrow

HEADACHE

Following eyestrain
Pain as if from nail
Heaviness, as if weight in forehead

INJURIES TO BONES

Bruised, lame sensation all over
Periosteum (bone covering) bruised

DENTAL PROBLEMS

Deep aching
"Dry socket"

SPRAINS

Tendons & ligaments sore
Feet & ankles painful
Aching in heel tendon
Painful stiffness in wrists and hands

SCIATICA

Worse at night while lying down
Pain from back down hips and thighs

BACKACHE

Deep pains
Thighs feel broken
Relieved lying on back, by pressure
Weak, bruised feeling in low back

Better from:

Lying on back, Motion, Warmth

Worse from:

Cold, wet weather, Being at rest, Lying down,
Cold, Overexertion, Cold wind, Sitting

It is also a useful remedy after surgeries involving tendons, connective tissue, cartilage, joints, and coverings of the bones. It can easily promote recovery after surgery on knees, wrists, shoulders, elbows, ankles, hips, etc. It eases discomfort if deep stiffness is felt in joints and muscles after surgery. Recent research works showed that Ruta Graveolens has some immobilization effect on human sperm and it paves a new hope for male contraception. Pathak et al investigated that Ruta 6 induces severe telomere erosion in cancer cells but has no effect on normal lymphocytes. Banerji and Banerji reported that Ruta was effective for intracranial cysticercosis. True star Health Encyclopedia, North America (One of the most comprehensive information database available on health) describes Ruta Graveolens as a homeopathic remedy for increasing stamina during athletic performance.

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

Ruta Graveolens is available in the market as Homeopathic Tablets, Pellets, and Granules. Some common products are

(1)  Ruta Grav 30X 250 tablets

(2)  Ruta Grav 30C 2 oz bottle 1360 pellets

(3)  Ruta Grav 30C 75 pellets

(4)  Ruta Grav 200C 75 pellets

Thymeley solutions (Natural remedy online store owned by USA) explain about the usage of these products. About 3-6 pellets can be dissolved under tongue 3-4 times a day, as directed by a licensed practitioner. Children can use half of adult dose. It is completely natural supplement, with no artificial binders. Vegetarians and vegans are also safe to use this product, which is free of all animal by products.