Ruta angustifolia Pers.

Inggu (Ruta angustifolia) is an upright herb around 1.5 meters tall of the Rutaceae family, originating from Southern Europe and North Africa, known in Europe as a plant that wards off curses. Its sharp-smelling essential oil is used as a raw material for perfume and cosmetics. Traditionally, inggu is also believed to relieve fever, convulsions in children, and stomach pain.

This plant is often planted in gardens in mountainous areas up to elevations of 1,000 m above sea level. Grows well in open areas with full sunlight exposure and high humidity. The preferred soil type is sandy soil. 

• Stem woody, cylindrical, slender. Heavily branched, weak, the whole plant has an unpleasant smell when crushed.
• Leaves compound double-pinnate, arranged alternately, leaflets lance-shaped or inverted egg-shaped, narrowing base, blunt tip, smooth edges.
• Flowers compound, emerging at branch tips, bright yellow petals.
• Fruit small, oblong, divided into 4 to 5 sections, brown in color.
• Seeds small, kidney-shaped, black in color.

• Propagated vegetatively (cuttings), because it is difficult to propagate generatively (by seed).
• Propagate by stem cuttings by cutting a stem 20-25 cm long and planting time is done at the start of the rainy season.

Steroids, flavonoids, furocoumarins, furoquinolines, acridone, tannins, quinone, essential oils, chalepin, scopoletin, γ-fagarine, arborinine, kokusaginine, pseudane IX, moskachans.

Cures toothache, fever, influenza, convulsions in children, lung inflammation, colic, stomach pain and chest pain, stimulates menstruation, hiccups, headache, boils, colic, hysteria, hernia, hepatitis, eczema in children, bruises from hard object impact, venomous snake and insect bites, worm infections.

Simplisia

• Prepare fresh leaves then wash thoroughly with running water.
• Air-dry away from direct sunlight, for 1-2 days.
• Once dry, pack in a plastic container, preferably vacuum-sealed. Close tightly and store at room temperature. 

Aruda (Sumatra), Godong minggu (Java), Anruda busu (Makassar).