Ruta graveolens appears in 11 of the 13 classic books on Similia. Each was written to do a different job — here is what each adds on this remedy, with the opening of its entry.
- Allen HC — The keynotes that separate this remedy from its nearest neighbours.
“Rue. (Rutaceae.) Scrofulous exostosis; bruises and other mechanical injuries of bones and periosteum; sprains; periostits; erysipelas; fractures, and especially dislocations (Symph.). Bruised lame sensatoin all over, as after a fall or blow; worse in limbs and joints (Arn.). All parts of the body upon which he lies…”
- Allen TF — The raw proving record — symptoms as the provers reported them, unedited.
“Ruta graveolens, Linn. Natural order , Rutaceæ. Common names , Rue; (G.). Raute. Preparation , Tincture of the whole plant. Authorities. (Nos. 1 to 11 , from Hahnemann, R. A. M. L., 4).”
- Boericke — The quick clinical read — keynotes, modalities and the conditions it is actually prescribed in.
“Rue-bitterwort Acts upon the periosteum and cartilages, eyes and uterus. Complaints from straining flexor tendons especially. Tendency to the formation of deposits in the periosteum, tendons, and about joints, especially wrist. Overstrain of ocular muscles. All parts of the body are painful, as if bruised . Sprains…”
- Boger (Syn) — Generals and modalities in a short analytical portrait rather than a symptom list.
“Fibrous tissues: EYES. Flexor tendons. Joints. Wrists and ankles. Back (lumbar). Cartilages. Periosteum. Uterus. Skin. Over - exertion: EYE-STRAIN. Injury. Sprains. COLD: Air. Wind. Damp. Wet. LYING. SITTING. Pressure on an edge. Lying on back. Warmth. Motion. BRUISED, SORE ACHING AND RESTLESSNESS. Painful weariness…”
- Clarke — The widest entry — sources, provings, clinical uses, relationships and antidotes in one place.
“graveolens. Rue. N. O. Rutaceæ. Tincture of whole fresh plant. Amblyopia / Anus, prolapse of / Bone, bruised; pains in / Bruises / Bursitis / Cartilages, bruises of; pains in / Chest, sternum, pains in / Constipation / Dislocations / Dyspepsia / Enuresis / Epistaxis / Exostosis / Eyes, sight weak / pains in / Facial…”
- Hering — Graded symptoms, each weighted by how often provers and practice confirmed it.
“Rue. Rutaceæ. A native of the South of Europe, cultivated in Northern gardens. The leaves are acrid, hot and bitter, the flowers yellow. The tincture is prepared from the fresh herb, gathered shortly before blooming. Proving by Hahnemann, Franz, Gross, Hartman, Herrman, Hornburg, Langhammer, Stapf, Wislicenus, R. A…”
- Kent — The mental and general picture — who the patient is, before what the remedy cures.
“Ruta is another remedy often overlooked. It is sometimes overlooked and Rhus or Argentum nitricum given, or other remedies not fully related to the case are given because Ruta is not well known. Many of its symptoms are difficult to classify in the Repertory. A knowledge of its nature must be obtained. It falls under…”
- Lippe (MM) — The strict Hahnemannian reading — the symptom picture without clinical interpretation.
“Melancholy disposition towards evening. Anxious and low-spirited, with mental dejection. Inclination to quarrel and contradict. Giddiness; in the morning when rising; when sitting, and when walking in the open air. Great heat in the head, with much restlessness. Headache as if a nail were driven into the head…”
- Lippe (Red) — Keynotes with the most-trusted ones marked as red-line symptoms.
“Common names: rue; bitter wort. Bruises and other mechanical injuries of bones and perios eum (N.). All parts of the body upon which he lies are painful, as if bruised (N.). Soreness and lameness as from a sprain or bruise (Arn., Rhus-T.) (D.). Wrists feel as if sprained, stiff, worse in cold, wet weather (N.)…”
- Nash — The comparisons — the remedy set beside the ones it is most often confused with.
“This remedy, which has already been mentioned as to its prominent action in the periosteum, especially in injuries and effects therefrom, also, like Arnica, has a “bruised, lame sensation all over as after a fall; worse in limbs and joints,” and also “all parts of the body upon which he lies are painful, as if…”
