African Rue
Peganum harmala
Peganum harmala is a plant traditionally found in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. While it has not been extensively used in traditional medicine, studies have shown moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities from its essential oils at various maturation stages. Additionally, indigenous bacterial consortia derived from Peganum harmala have demonstrated significant benefits for durum wheat growth and alleviation of lead phytotoxicity in contaminated soils. Scientific evidence also indicates that silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles combined with antibiotics may exhibit synergistic or additive antimicrobial activity against Cutibacterium acnes isolates, though more research is needed to confirm these findings. No major safety concerns or drug interactions have been recorded for Peganum harmala, but further investigation is warranted.
- Best evidence
- D
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- The study found that fenced enclosure and increased rainfall altered the soil seed bank, increasing the density of Eragrostis minor while reducing Peganum harmala, facilitating vegetation recovery in degraded desert steppe.
- The study characterized the chemical composition and found moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in essential oils from Peganum harmala seeds at different maturation stages.
- Three new species of Achromobacter were identified from Peganum harmala and Citrullus colocynthis, expanding the known diversity of these bacteria.
- Indigenous bacterial consortia from Peganum harmala showed significant improvements in durum wheat growth and alleviation of lead phytotoxicity in contaminated soils.
- The study found that silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles, when used with antibiotics, showed synergistic or additive antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of Cutibacterium acnes.
Frequently asked questions
What is African Rue?
African Rue (Peganum harmala) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about African Rue?
5 sourced findings are recorded for African Rue; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study found that fenced enclosure and increased rainfall altered the soil seed bank, increasing the density of Eragrostis minor while reducing Peganum harmala, facilitating vegetation recovery in degraded desert steppe.
How strong is the evidence for African Rue?
The strongest finding for African Rue carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is African Rue safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for African Rue in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does African Rue interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for African Rue in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of African Rue?
African Rue is also known as: Гармала обыкновенная, Harmal.
Is African Rue a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 Genome-Resolved Delineation of Three Novel Endophytic Achromobacter Species from Desert Medicinal Plants. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Fenced enclosure and increased rainfall facilitate recovery of degraded desert steppe by restructuring soil seed bank dynamics. literature abstract metadata
- T2 First investigation on the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and molecular docking studies of the essential oil obtained from Peganum harmala L. seeds at different stages of maturation. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Antimicrobial synergism of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles with antibiotics against clinical isolate of Cutibacterium acnes. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Endophytic and rhizospheric bacterial consortia from Peganum harmala alleviate lead phytotoxicity and enhance durum wheat growth in heavy metal-contaminated soils. literature abstract metadata