What is the rue plant and how is it used?
Rue is a perennial herbaceous plant native to southern Europe and northern Africa, although it is now cultivated in many parts of the world for its medicinal and ornamental properties. Its leaves have a strong aroma and bitter flavor, and contain active compounds such as rutin, flavonoids and essential oils that give it its therapeutic properties.
Rue can be used in several ways to take advantage of its health benefits, including:
- Rue infusion: Preparing a rue infusion is a common way to use this medicinal plant. To make it, simply boil water and pour it over the dried rue leaves, let it sit for a few minutes, and then strain the resulting liquid. It is recommended to drink a cup of rue infusion a day to obtain its benefits.
- Rue oil: Rue oil can be prepared by macerating the fresh leaves of the plant in olive oil or other vegetable oil for several weeks. Once the oil has been infused with rue’s active compounds, it can be applied topically to sore joints to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Rue poultice: Another way to use rue is to prepare a poultice by applying fresh leaves of the plant directly to painful joints. This can help provide localized relief and reduce inflammation in affected joints.
Benefits of the rue plant for joint pain
- Anti-inflammatory Properties: Rue contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the joints and relieve pain associated with conditions such as arthritis and gout.
- Natural Painkiller: The compounds present in rue, such as rutin, have analgesic properties that can help reduce the sensation of pain in the joints and improve the quality of life of people who suffer from chronic joint pain.
- Stimulates Blood Circulation: Topically applying rue oil to affected joints can help improve blood circulation in the area, which can contribute to better joint health and faster recovery from injuries.
- Antispasmodic: Rue also has antispasmodic properties that can help relax muscles and reduce muscle cramps associated with joint pain.
Precautions and warnings
Although rue can provide relief from joint pain, it is important to note that this plant can be toxic in large quantities and may cause adverse side effects in some people. It is recommended that you consult a health professional before using rue as a treatment for joint pain, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a pre-existing medical condition.
*This article was created with the help of artificial intelligence that uses machine learning to produce human-like text, and curated by a specialized journalist from El País.
