Health benefits of Aruvatha – Ruta graveolens

Plant name : Aruvatha or Sathappu
“A rare medicinal plant with various health benefits”.

Botanical name : Ruta graveolens
Family : Rutaceae
Actions : Antispasmodic, Carminative, Stimulant, Emmenagogue

Siddha Medicinal Uses :

1. Water in which the leaves are soaked help prevent pest and flies. Useful in stomach cramps. Helps to regulate menstrual flow.
2. Crushed dry leaves (1 gram to 6 gram for adults) can be made as infusion or decoction and given for menstrual pain, abdominal colic, diarrhoea, intestinal infections, intestinal worms, epilepsy, fever and cough.
3. Ancient Siddha books also mentions its use in epilepsy (pediatric dose 30 to 60 drops) and for adults the dried leaves can be prepared as decoction and given in the dose of 40 ml to 80 ml.
4. 1 to 2 leaves can be chewed for head ache and giddiness.
5. Fresh leaf paste can be applied on forehead for head ache.
6. Smoke of burnt leaves is effective to treat Pediatric asthma.
7. Poultice of leaves may be applied on chest in chronic bronchitis.
8. Crushed leaves made into paste can be applied to the site of pain in the conditions like sciatica as the leaves are enriched with Anti-imflammatory and Antispasmodic properties.
9. It is believed that planting this herb in home prevents occurrence of epilepsy.
10. Traditional medicine also mentions planting this herb is effective to repel snakes.

Please note – Not advised to use without doctors supervision as it can have violent side effects, if dose is unchecked.

Note : Siddha treatment is based on complete physical examination of the patient, Naadi diagnosis, and other diagnostic criteria of the disease. The content given in this article is purely meant for information and education purpose only. Kindly consult a Siddha physician before any sort of self medication.