Peganum harmala
Syrian Rue
a perennial member of the Peganum genus in the family Zygophyllaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Zygophyllaceae
- Genus
- Peganum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Use with caution. Although the seed is used medicinally and as a condiment, it does contain hallucinogenic and narcotic alkaloids[9]. When taken in excess it causes hallucinations and vomiting[9].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - used as a spice and purifying agent[1][4][5][9]. Some caution is advised because the seed has narcotic properties, inducing a sense of euphoria and releasing inhibitions[3]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[12][14].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Product or use
- Oil
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Alterative[12][3]. The fruit and seed are digestive, diuretic, hallucinogenic, narcotic and uterine stimulant[7][9]. They are taken internally in the treatment of stomach complaints, urinary and sexual disorders, epilepsy, menstrual problems, mental and nervous illnesses[9]. The seed has also been used as an anthelmintic in order to rid the body of tapeworms[10]. This remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the guidance of a qualified practitioner since excessive doses cause vomiting and hallucinations[9]. The seeds contain the substance 'harmine' which is being used in research into mental disease, encephalitis and inflammation of the brain[7]. Small quantities stimulate the brain and are said to be therapeutic, but in excess harmine depresses the central nervous system[7]. A crude preparation of the seed is more effective than an extract because of the presence of related indoles[7]. Consumption of the seed in quantity induces a sense of euphoria and releases inhibitions. It has been used in the past as a truth drug[3][6]. The oil obtained from the seed is said to be aphrodisiac[7]. The oil is also said to have galactogogue, ophthalmic, soporific and vermifuge properties[7]. The seed is used externally in the treatment of haemorrhoids and baldness[9]. The whole plant is said to be abortifacient, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue and galactogogue[10]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of rheumatism[10]. The root has been used as a parasiticide in order to kill body lice[10]. It is also used internally in the treatment of rheumatism and nervous conditions[11].
- Product or use
- Abortifacient
- Product or use
- Alterative
- Product or use
- Aphrodisiac
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Galactogogue
- Product or use
- Hallucinogenic
- Product or use
- Narcotic
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Parasiticide
- Product or use
- Uterine tonic
- Product or use
- Vermifuge
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A red dye is obtained from the seed[12][14]. It is widely used in Western Asia, especially as a colouring for carpets[7]. The ripe seed contains 3.8 - 5.8% of the alkaloids harmine, harmaline, harmalol and peganine[10]. Ineffective as a contact poison, they are active in vapour form where they are effective against algae, in higher concentrations to water animals and lethal to moulds, bacteria and intestinal parasites[10]. The seed is used as an incense[2].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Incense
- Product or use
- Oil
Environment
- Range
- Europe - Mediterranean and Southeast Europe.
- Habitat
- Dry steppes, especially where grazing is heavy[6], and dry waste places[13]. It is often found in saline soils[11].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
- Salinity
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow late spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny part of the greenhouse for their first winter. Be careful not to overwater, especially when the plants are dormant. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in late spring[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a light well-drained but moisture retentive soil and an open position in full sun[8]. Prefers a dry soil[6] and succeeds in poor soils[9]. Although this species comes from dry desert areas, it responds well to cultivation so long as the soil is very well drained[9]. It can tolerate temperatures down to about -20°c if the soil is dry[6]. There is speculation that this plant was the sacred 'Soma' plant, which was used by the ancients of India and Persia as an hallucinogenic aid to understanding the deeper meaning of life[9].
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00
Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202