Rutin is a substance known as a flavonoid glycoside, and it mainly occurs in fruits and fruit rinds, especially berries and citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit. Rutin also is found in buckwheat seed and black tea. Rutin dietary supplements may help relieve symptoms of some health conditions but consult with your health care provider before beginning alternative therapy for any disorder.
Uses for Skin Problems
Flavonoids like those in rutin have anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial for various types of dermatitis, an itchy skin inflammation, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Taking 50 to 250mg of a rutin supplement two or three times a day may help relieve symptoms of allergic contact skin reactions, as well as eczema and seborrheic dermatitis, which causes dandruff. Rutin also may be helpful for treating various types of erythema, a condition involving skin redness or rash caused by health conditions such as Crohn's disease, or reactions to medication. Photosensitivity, increased sensitivity to sunlight usually due to medication or an infection, also can cause erythema. The UMMC recommends 500mg of rutin twice daily for drug reactions that cause skin symptoms, but advises consulting with a doctor before beginning any self-treatment, because an allergic reaction can lead to worse symptoms and can become life-threatening.
Benefits for Veins
Taking 500mg of rutin twice daily may strengthen the walls of veins and help them function better, according to the UMMC. Rutin flavonoids relieve swelling and pain due to varicose veins, the most common vein disorder. This condition involves enlarged, twisted veins that cannot transport blood effectively and often are painful. Varicose veins can lead to vein inflammation, known as phlebitis, as well as skin ulcers and blood clots. Rutin also may be beneficial for treating chronic venous insufficiency, according to the University of Michigan Health System. This condition involves poor return of blood from feet and legs back to the heart, due to clotting and inflammation in the leg veins or an inability of the valves in leg veins to work against gravity. This results in swollen legs.
Relieving Menstrual Cramps
Rutin combined with vitamin B3, known as niacin, and vitamin C helps relieve menstrual cramps, according to the April 2002 issue of the "Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients." Author Tori Hudson notes that niacin decreases menstrual cramps in about 87 percent of women who take 100mg of the supplement twice per day throughout the month, and then every two to three hours when menstrual cramps occur. Adding rutin at 60mg and vitamin C at 300mg once daily to this regimen has increased effectiveness to 90 percent. Vitamin C dosage can be increased to 3000mg per day and rutin to 1000mg per day, according to Hudson.
Member Comments