[Sca-cooks] Herbs

[JIMCHEVAL at aol.com]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruta_graveolens
"Rue contains pilocarpine which is used in  horses to induce abortion."


Otherwise,  here's what the government (whom of course I trust implicitly) 
says, in listing  rue among "DIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY 
RECOGNIZED AS SAFE"  

§ 184.1698   Rue.
(a) Rue is the  perennial herb of several species of Ruta ( Ruta  montana 
L., Ruta  graveolens L., Ruta  bracteosa L., and Ruta  calepensis L.). The 
leaves,  buds, and stems from the top of the plant are gathered, dried, and 
then crushed  in preparation for use, or left whole. 
(b)  The ingredient is used in all categories of food in accordance with  § 
184.1(b)(2) of this chapter at concentrations not to exceed 2 parts per  
million. 
(c)  Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses 
established in this  section do not exist or have been waived. 
[43 FR 3705, Jan. 27, 1978] 
 
_Back to Top_ 
(http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=2b674d0f51e4bae7cbc92547499bdc3a&ty=HTML&h=L&n=21y3.0.1.1.14&r=PART#_top) 
§ 184.1699   Oil  of rue.
(a)  Oil of rue is the  natural substance obtained by steam distillation of 
the fresh blossoming plants  of rue, the perennial herb of several species 
of Ruta—Ruta montana L., Ruta  graveolens L., Ruta  bracteosa L., and Ruta  
calepensisL. 
(b)  Oil of rue meets the  specifications of the “Food Chemicals Codex,” 
4th ed. (1996), pp. 342-343, which  is incorporated by reference in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part  51. Copies are available from the 
National Academy Press, Box 285, 2101  Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC 
20055 (Internet address http://www.nap.edu ), or may be examined at the Center 
for  Food Safety and Applied Nutrition's Library, Food and Drug 
Administration, 5100  Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740, or at the National 
Archives and  Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this  material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go 
to:http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. 
(c)  The ingredient is used in food under the following conditions: 
 
 
Maximum Usage Levels Permitted
   Food (as served) Parts per million Function  Baked goods and baking 
mixes,  § 170.3(n)(1), of this chapter 10 Flavoring agent and adjuvant,  § 
170.3(o)(12) of this chapter.  Frozen dairy desserts and mixes,  § 170.3 (n)(20) 
of this chapter 10 Do.  Soft candy, § 170.3(n)(38) of  this chapter 10 Do.  
All other food categories 4 Do.

(d)  Prior sanctions for this ingredient different from the uses 
established in this  section do not exist or have been waived. 
[42 FR 14653, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 49 FR 5613, Feb. 14, 1984;  64 
FR 1760, Jan. 12, 1999]"
 
Jim  Chevallier
www.chezjim.com

Newly translated from Pierre Jean-Baptiste  Le Grand d'Aussy:
Eggs, Cheese and Butter in Old Regime France  

 


The  abortifacient properties may be based more on humoural 
> theory than  reality.