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Dietary supplement

Rue Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herb 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 Herb 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 Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried. 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 Herb Pharm

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Rue by Herb 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: rue fruiting top extract made from fresh, undried fruiting tops. Rue has been used in herbal medicine for various purposes, though the evidence for most of these uses isn't well established.

The product also contains cane alcohol as an inactive ingredient (a preservative and extraction medium).

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 supporting rue for any condition isn't established in our data. We hold no reliable evidence to rate it for abortion, cancer prevention, contraception, or digestive complaints like dyspepsia.

As an insect repellent, it's also unrated — the data just isn't there. If you're considering rue for a specific health concern, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about whether there's stronger evidence for other approaches.

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 what you need to know: rue in food amounts is well tolerated, and the dried herb seems generally well tolerated in medicinal doses — though we don't have thorough safety data. Fresh rue, however, is considered unsafe.

The most common side effects from dried rue are cramps, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, stomach irritation, and sleep problems. Topically, it can cause contact dermatitis and phototoxic skin reactions.

At high doses, rue can stimulate the uterus and cause respiratory distress, and the essential oil is especially risky. Rue should be avoided in pregnancy — the safety data advises against it — and avoided while breastfeeding, since potentially toxic compounds may pass to your baby.

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.

If you take any photosensitizing drugs — medications that increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight — check with your pharmacist before using rue. Altogether, these interactions span 334 individual medications.

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 is not well studied and carries real safety concerns, especially in pregnancy and when taken in high doses or as fresh herb. If you're on a medication that makes your skin sun-sensitive, be very cautious.

Talk to your pharmacist before using this product, particularly if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any medications.

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 Mar 22, 2024.

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 Herb Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 090800000171
Net contents 1 Fluid Ounce(s); 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 22, 2024
DSLD ID 307676
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 Herb 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:
0.68 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.68 mL
Servings per container
44
UPC/BARCODE
090800000171
IngredientAmount% DV
Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried616 mg--

Other ingredients: Cane 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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use Shake well before using Adults: Add 0.68 ml (30 drops) to 2 oz. of water or juice, 2 or 3 times per day. Best taken between meals.

Precautions

Caution: Seek expert medical advice before taking during pregnancy.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight after ingestion.

Keep out of the reach of children

Storage

Store away from heat & light

Formula

Ruta graveolens

Rue liquid extract

Formulation

Optimal well-being

Gluten-free

Certified organic by Organic Certifiers

Seals/Symbols

USDA Organic

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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

See for yourself

Rue by Herb 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 Herb Pharm

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

Serving size0.68 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container44 Amounts shown are per serving.

Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried

Interacts with
335 drugs
616 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...

Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cane Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Rue by Herb 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

Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried 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. Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried

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.

Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried1 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
Rue Fruiting Top Extract, Fresh, Undried full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Herb Pharm

See all Herb Pharm products
Name
Herb Pharm
City
Williams
State
OR
ZipCode
97544
Phone Number
800-348-4372
Web Address
www.herb-pharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Rue by Herb Pharm: Common Questions

Does Rue by Herb 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 take rue if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. Rue should be avoided in pregnancy because the safety data advises against it — rue has traditionally been used to bring on abortion and may harm a pregnancy. You should also avoid it while breastfeeding, since potentially toxic compounds may pass to your baby. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about what's safe during pregnancy or nursing.
What are the most common side effects?
The dried herb can cause cramps, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, stomach irritation, and sleep problems. Topically, rue can cause contact dermatitis and phototoxic skin reactions — burning or damage from sun exposure. Fresh rue is considered unsafe overall.
Is rue safe to use with sunscreen if I'm on a sun-sensitizing medication?
We can't answer that specifically, and it's not a substitute for checking your exact medications with your pharmacist. Rue itself contains compounds that increase sun sensitivity; combined with a medication that does the same, the risk adds up. Please check before you use this product.
What's this product actually used for?
Rue has been used traditionally for several purposes — including digestive complaints, contraception, and insect repellent — but we don't have reliable evidence to support any of these uses. The data just isn't strong enough to rate it for any condition.
Why is fresh rue considered unsafe when the dried herb is okay?
The facts tell us fresh rue is unsafe and the dried herb is generally well tolerated in medicinal doses, but they don't explain why that difference exists. Your pharmacist can dig into that if you're curious.
Can rue cause respiratory problems?
Yes, at high doses rue can cause respiratory distress — trouble breathing. This is one reason it should be used cautiously if at all, and why dosing matters. If you're considering rue, talk to your pharmacist about how much is safe.

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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