Syrian Rue / Harmel (Peganum harmala)

SEEDS (20 pcs/bag)

Common name: Harmel bush, Syrian rue
Scientific name: Peganum harmala
Family: Zygophyllaceae

Plant history & use:

The harmel bush is a historically well-known plant and is still used today in calming medicines—mainly in the Middle East, North Africa, and southwestern Asia, but also in Finland it is a prescription medicinal plant.

It is the roots and seeds that are used, which are either made into a decoction, ground down, or from which oil is extracted.

The seeds are also used to dye fabrics, giving a red color.

The mature seeds contain 3.8 - 5.8% of the alkaloids harmine, harmaline, harmalol, and peganin. They are harmless as contact poison for humans and animals but in vapor form they are active and effective against algae and deadly to mold, bacteria, and intestinal parasites.

There are speculations that this plant was the sacred "Soma" plant, used in ancient India and Persia as a hallucinogenic aid to "understand the deeper meaning of life".

Seeds are also used as incense.

Cultivation:

The harmel bush is a low-growing (0.5-1 m), perennial shrub.

The key to successful cultivation of the harmel bush is well-drained soil. Not sensitive to sandy and nutrient-poor soils. Mediterranean soil works excellently. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Prefers an open location with full sun.

Can be grown outdoors in Sweden. The harmel bush withstands temperatures down to -20°C and survives the winter despite shedding its foliage, thanks to its strong root system. The likelihood of successful outdoor overwintering is higher if the bush grows in dry soil rather than moist soil.

Sowing:

Sow either indoors in pots or outdoors in open ground from May to September.

Characteristics:

Longevity: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 50-100 cm
Germination time: 1-8 weeks
Hardiness zone: 1-5