The Common Rue is a plant belonging to the Rutaceae family. It is common in Italy, and can also be found spontaneously at altitudes below 1000 meters. It has a pleasant aroma, not excessively strong, and is used to flavor grappa. Its seeds, along with mint leaves, are used to flavor game meat.

The plant is rich in heterosides, which are glycosides that increase the resistance of blood capillaries and also have antispasmodic and diuretic actions. It contains flavonoids, recognized for their antioxidant properties, fucumarins with photosensitizing and vasodilatory actions, and essential oils.

A particular flavonoid, rutin, is extracted from the Common Rue, and is used by the pharmaceutical industry for the prevention and treatment of capillary fragility.