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Dietary supplement

Rue Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Hawaii Pharm

Rue label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Rue against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Rue is a dietary supplement by Hawaii Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for menstrual cramps, digestive upset, muscle spasms and pain.Based on those ingredients, 335 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are certified organic Rue extract. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Rue by Hawaii Pharm

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Rue by Hawaii Pharm — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Rue by Hawaii Pharm

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: certified organic rue extract in a liquid form. The extract is suspended in vegetable palm glycerin and pharmaceutical-grade alcohol.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Rue product and its label doesn't state a use — see Rue's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for rue's effectiveness isn't established in our data. Claims exist about its use for abortion, cancer, contraception, dyspepsia (indigestion), and as an insect repellent, but all carry insufficient reliable evidence to rate.

That means the data we hold doesn't support its use for any of those purposes.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Rue

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Here's the straightforward part: rue can be toxic, especially in higher doses and particularly the oil form — so caution is warranted if you use it at all. The dried herb seems generally well tolerated in medicinal doses, but a thorough safety evaluation hasn't been done.

Fresh rue is considered unsafe. When taken by mouth, some people report cramps, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, stomach upset, and sleep problems.

Topically, it can cause contact dermatitis and phototoxic skin reactions. Rue has a history of being used to bring on menstruation or cause abortion, and it may harm a pregnancy — safety data during pregnancy is rated likely unsafe, so it should be avoided.

If you're breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety data on file, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Rue

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Rue.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 335 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check whether you're on any photosensitizing drugs — the ones that increase your skin's sensitivity to sun damage. Rue can increase the risk of a phototoxic reaction with these medications.

Use our search tool below to look up your exact medications before starting this product.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Rue has a long traditional history but limited modern evidence for the conditions people use it for. If you're taking a photosensitizing medication, you need to check it first.

Given the toxicity risk, the pregnancy concerns, and the incomplete safety picture, this is a product to discuss with your pharmacist or doctor before you start.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 23, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Rue, straight from the product label.

Brand Hawaii Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 650905467103
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 23, 2020
DSLD ID 237577
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Organic, Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Rue by Hawaii Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
650905467103
IngredientAmount% DV
certified organic Rue extract970 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetable Palm Glycerin, pharmaceutical grade Alcohol

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Hawaii Pharm Herbal Extract Highest quality since 2008

Made with Aloha!

Formulation

Contains no GMO, gluten, artificial colors, heavy metals, preservatives, pesticides, fertilizers.

Super concentrated liquid herbal extract. Dry herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3.

Manufactured in an FDA registered facility.

Non GMO Gluten free

Made in USA, Hawaii

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions for use: Shake well before using. Take about 20-30 drops (0.7-1 ml, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) to 2-4 oz of juice or water up to 4 times per day.

Precautions

Warning: Keep out of the reach of children.

May have contraindications. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking.

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing or taking any medications.

Do not use if seal is broken or missing.

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

Formula

(Ruta graveolens)

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

FDA Registered Facility Made in United States of America USA

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Rue by Hawaii Pharm label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Rue label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Rue by Hawaii Pharm

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Certified organic Rue extract

Interacts with
335 drugs
970 mg per serving

Rue is a strong-smelling herb from southern Europe with a long history in folk medicine, but there is very little reliable human research to support i...

Certified organic Rue extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetable Palm Glycerin, Pharmaceutical grade Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Rue by Hawaii Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Rue?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
335Drugs
335 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

certified organic Rue extract 335

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Rue interact with 335 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Rue interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. certified organic Rue extract

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Rue with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

certified organic Rue extract1 drug type · 335 drugs

Photosensitizing Drugs

Theoretically, rue might increase the risk for phototoxicity when used with photosensitizing drugs.
Rue contains photosensitizing furanocoumarins and psoralens and has been associated with multiple reports of phototoxic reactions. There is also one case report of an increased phototoxic response to psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy associated with ingestion of rue.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
certified organic Rue extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Rue, from the product label.

Hawaii Pharm

See all Hawaii Pharm products
Name
Hawaii Pharm LLC
City
Honolulu
State
HI
ZipCode
96815
Web Address
www.hawaiipharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Rue by Hawaii Pharm: Common Questions

Does Rue by Hawaii Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Rue has a known interaction with 335 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Rue contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I use this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — rue is rated likely unsafe in pregnancy because it has been used to bring on miscarriage and may harm the baby. For breastfeeding, there isn't enough safety data on file. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using rue if you're pregnant or nursing.
What are the most common side effects?
When you take rue by mouth, the most common side effects are cramps, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, stomach irritation, and sleep problems. Fresh rue is considered unsafe. The dried herb in medicinal doses seems better tolerated, but a full safety review hasn't been completed.
Why is there a warning about sun exposure?
Rue contains compounds that make your skin more sensitive to UV damage. If you're also taking a medication that has that same effect, your skin reaction could be worse — a condition called phototoxicity. Anyone using photosensitizing drugs should check with a pharmacist before adding rue.
Does rue actually work for what I want to use it for?
The evidence isn't established in our data. Whether it's for indigestion, insect repellent, or other uses people mention, the studies we hold show insufficient reliable evidence to rate how well it works.
Is this product safe to use?
Rue can be toxic, especially at higher doses and in oil form, so it needs cautious use if you use it at all. The dried herb in medicinal doses is generally well tolerated, but a complete safety evaluation hasn't been conducted. Talk to your pharmacist about whether it's right for you.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Rue label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Rue’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Rue

Interacts with 335 drugs

Rue is a strong-smelling herb from southern Europe with a long history in folk medicine, but there is very little reliable human research to support its health uses. It can be toxic in large...

Read the full Rue monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Rue's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 8 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Rue 8 references
  1. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
  2. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  3. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  4. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  5. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
  6. Puig L. Pharmacodynamic interaction with phototoxic plants during PUVA therapy. Br J Dermatol 1997;136:973-4. PubMed
  7. Radotra I, Gardiner S, Barnes D. A phytophototoxic injury at a burns unit: the ungraceful after-effects of the "common rue" plant. J Burn Care Res. 2018;39(6):1064-6. PubMed
  8. Avallone G, Mastorino L, Agostini A, et al. Ruta graveolens phytophotodermatitis. Dermatol Online J 2021;27(7). PubMed

See these in context on the Rue monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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