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Dietary supplement

Rue Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Pure Herbs

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 Pure Herbs 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 aerial parts 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 Pure Herbs

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

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Rue by Pure Herbs

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 aerial parts extract. Rue is an herb that's been used traditionally for several purposes, though the evidence supporting those uses isn't well established in the data we hold.

There are no inactive ingredients listed.

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

We hold no graded evidence for this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: supports healthy menstruation.
  • We looked for evidence on: menstrual cramps, menstrual regularity, menstrual symptoms.
  • Our graded evidence for these ingredients doesn't cover that particular purpose.

The evidence for rue isn't established in our data for any of its traditional uses—abortion, cancer support, contraception, digestive upset, or insect repellent are all rated as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate. That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the studies aren't there yet to say either way.

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.

When taken by mouth in the amounts found in foods, rue is generally well tolerated. The dried herb also tends to be well tolerated at medicinal doses, though a thorough safety evaluation hasn't been done.

Fresh rue, however, is generally considered unsafe. At medicinal doses, some people report cramps, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, stomach irritation, and sleep problems.

Higher doses can cause uterine stimulation (which may bring on menstruation or miscarriage) and breathing trouble. Applied to skin, it can cause contact dermatitis and phototoxic reactions.

Rue should be avoided in pregnancy because it may harm the developing baby and has traditionally been used to end pregnancies. It should also be avoided while breastfeeding because safety isn't established and potentially toxic compounds could pass to the 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.

Before taking this product, check any photosensitizing medications with your pharmacist or doctor. These are drugs that increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, and rue can make that worse—a moderate-severity interaction.

The 334 medications this product potentially interacts with are primarily in that photosensitizing category.

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 a risky herb to take without careful consideration. If you're on a photosensitizing medication or planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, it's off the table.

Even if neither applies to you, talk with your pharmacist or doctor before trying it—the safety data is thin and the potential for harm is real.

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 Dec 13, 2022.

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 Pure Herbs
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Dec 13, 2022
DSLD ID 279217
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Women (not pregnant or lactating)
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 Pure Herbs, 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:
2 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 mL
Servings per container
60
IngredientAmount% DV
Rue aerial parts extract1913 mg--

Other ingredients: None

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

Directions: For adults, mix 2 mL (abt. 1/2 tsp) of extract in 2 fl. oz (60 mL) water one time daily preferably with a meal.

Shake well before use

Formulation

Supports healthy menstruation.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

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

Precautions

Warning: Not intended for use by pregnant or nursing women. If you have a medical condition or are taking medication, consult your doctor prior to use.

Discontinue use and consult with your doctor if any adverse reactions occur. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight after ingestion.

Keep out of reach of children

Brand IP Statement(s)

Pure Herbs, Ltd. Natural Herbal Extracts

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

General Statements

"No expense has been spared to provide the finest nature has to offer."

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

See for yourself

Rue by Pure Herbs 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 Pure Herbs

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

Serving size2 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Rue aerial parts extract

Interacts with
335 drugs
1913 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 aerial parts extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: None. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Rue by Pure Herbs 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 aerial parts 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. Rue aerial parts 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.

Rue aerial parts 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
Rue aerial parts extract full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Pure Herbs

See all Pure Herbs products
Name
Pure Herbs, Ltd.
City
Sterling Heights
State
MI
Phone Number
(800) 860-4372
Web Address
www.pureherbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Rue by Pure Herbs: Common Questions

Does Rue by Pure Herbs 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 trying to get pregnant?
No. Rue should be avoided in pregnancy because it may harm your baby and has been used traditionally to bring on miscarriage. If you're trying to conceive or might be pregnant, don't use it.
Can I take rue while breastfeeding?
No. Safety isn't established for breastfeeding, and potentially toxic compounds from rue could pass to your baby. Avoid it while nursing.
What are the most common side effects of rue?
When taken by mouth at medicinal doses, cramps, drowsiness, depression, dizziness, stomach irritation, and sleep problems are reported. Fresh rue is considered unsafe. High doses can cause breathing trouble and uterine stimulation.
Is the dried herb safer than fresh rue?
The dried herb is generally better tolerated than fresh rue at medicinal doses, but fresh rue is considered unsafe. Even with dried herb, adverse effects like cramps and dizziness can occur.
What is rue used for?
Rue has been used traditionally for abortion, contraception, cancer, digestive upset, and as an insect repellent. However, we don't have reliable evidence that it works for any of these purposes.
Will rue cause a skin reaction if I apply it topically?
Yes, topically applied rue can cause contact dermatitis and phototoxic skin reactions—especially if you're exposed to sunlight afterward.

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

Not sure if Rue is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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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