Peganum harmala is a bushy perennial shrub, which can grow up to 1 meter of height, but is usually around 0.3 meter high. In dry soil, the roots of the plant can reach a depth of 6.1 meters. Simply a bushy herb with fleshy, spiky looking, as well as short pointed leaves divided into several narrow segments.

Peganum harmala is a bushy perennial shrub, which can grow up to 1 meter of height, but is usually around 0.3 meter high. In dry soil, the roots of the plant can reach a depth of 6.1 meters. Simply a bushy herb with fleshy, spiky looking, as well as short pointed leaves divided into several narrow segments. The plant bears three capsules which measures about 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter and contain more than 50 seeds. Peganum harmala also bears white flowers especially in the months of May and June and they are about 2.52.5 to 3.8 cm in diameter with five petals each. This plant is native to subtropical regions of India. Now, it is widespread to different other countries like New Mexico, Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Peganum harmala is also known as Syrian rue or wild rue.

There are certain health benefits of Peganum harmala. In other words, it is a thicket like herb which has certain medicinal properties and is highly beneficial to health in several ways. Commonly known as Syrian rue or wild rue, the dried seeds of this plant are used for medicinal purpose. Peganum hermala seeds contain different chemical components which includes harmolol, harmine, hermaline and peganine.

Peganum harmala belongs to Nitrariaceae family and the herb is used for the treatment of several health conditions including asthma, irregular menstruation, tapeworm infestation and mainly helpful in getting relief from asthma. It has different medicinal properties such as aphrodisiac, steriliser and germicidal. Here, are some of the health benefits of Peganum harmala:

Fever – Peganum harmala is one such herb which is used for the treatment of irregular fevers. It is also useful for curing persistent malaria but it is not so effective in acute cases. The seeds of the plant is given in decoction, infusing or in powder form.

Tapeworm Infestation – The seeds of Peganum harmala is also useful in removing tapeworm infestation. Hermaline is an alkaloid which contain in this herb has anthelmintic action.

Moreover, powder seeds are given to eject worms.

Insomnia – The sedative properties of the herb is useful for curing insomnia.

Menstrual Disorders – Peganum harmala is also useful for curing irregular menstruation. Seeds decoction is given in 15 to 50 ml doses.

Lactation – The seeds of the herb have galactagogue properties, and are given to feeding mothers which enhances milk secretion in lactating mothers.

Head Lice – The herb is also effective in killing head lice, massaging the scalp with roots paste along with mustard oil can you relief from head lice.

Laryngitis – The herb is used to treat laryngitis. The seeds decoction is also used as a mouthwash.

What is important is that the drugs which be used only in the prescribed doses. In higher doses, it can be poisonous and can lead to severe depressant action on the nervous system.