Uses : — The dried leaves are used as a fumigatory for children suffering from catarrh ; powdered and in combination with aromatics they are given in dyspepsia ; with the fresh leaves a tincture is made which is used as an external remedy in the first stages of paralysis. In the Punjab, the leaves are used as a remedy for rheumatic pains. Rue in all its forms is considered injurious to pregnant women.
The herb and the oil act as stimulants chiefly of the uterine and nervous systems. Rue has also been regarded as an anthelmintic. In large doses it is an aero-narcotic poison. When fresh its topical action is acrid, and if much handled it produces redness, swelling and even vesication.
It may be given internally in hysteria, amenorrhuea, epilepsy, flatulent colic, &c, and externally may be used as a rubefacient. The oil is the best form for administration, but rue tea is a popular remedy. The dose of the powdered leaves is 10 grs. to one drachm ; of the oil one to four minims. (WATT.)
The dry rue leaves in the form of infusion and tincture are beneficial in dyspepsia with flatulency, flatulent colic and slight cases of amenorrhœa ; the juice of the leaves has a distinct control over infantile convulsions. (MOODEEN SHERIFF.)
Rue is used by Arabs in Palestine and Syria as a preventive of the ill affects of water drunk at unaccumstomed spungs : they either chew the leaves, or soak the plant in water. (FULLERTON.)
Rutin, which is obtained from Rue, and quercitrin, are isomeric compounds of a composition represented by Herzig's formula for the latter, C36H39O20+3 H2O. The product obtained by the decomposition of rutin with dilute mineral acids is named isoquercetin, and differs in physical properties from quercetin, which is similarly prepared from quercitrin. Iso-quercetin is less soluble than quercetin, gives a dirty green coloration with ferric chloride which on warming turns bright red, whilst quercetin. with ferric chloride forms a dark green solution which on warming becomes dark red. I. Ch. S. 1897 A I. 433.
220. Peganum Harmala, Linn. H.F.B.I., I. 486.
Vern :— Hurmul, harmal, isband-lahouri, lahouri-hurmul, (Hind); Isband (Beng) ; Hurmul, isbund-lahouri, lahouri- hurmul spelane. (P. B.) ; spail anai, (Pushtu) ; spand, spong, ispanthan, (N. Baluchistan); Hurmul, isbund-lahouri, lahouri-
