Constituents and uses of African rue, Peganum Harmala
Constituents
Harmala seeds contain many alkaloids like harmane, harmine, harmaline,
harmalol, tetrahydroharmine, vasicine and vasicinone.
Uses
- Peganum harmala is used for its invasive medicinal properties. It is
considered as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.
- In some countries African rue is known to treat depression and
stimulates central nervous system.
- The smoke from the seeds can vanish insects, algae, bacteria's and
intestinal parasites.
- It is also used as anthelmintic agent to expel parasitic worms,
tapeworms and to treat fever.
- Peganum harmala is an abortefacient herb to induce abortions. It
reduces the spermatogenesis in males as well as in rats.
- Peganum is also used against protozoa and malaria.
- Reports have shown that peganum is found to have anti-oxidant and
anti-mutagenic properties.