Overview:
Syrian Rue is also known as Peganum Harmala. It is a plant of the family Nitrariaceae, native from the eastern Mediterranean region east to India.
It has been used as an entheogen in the Middle East, and in modern Western culture, it is often used as an analogue of Banisteriopsis caapi to create an entheogenic brew similar to Ayahuasca.
The active alkaloids of syrian rue seeds are the MAOI (MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitor) compounds harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine (collectively known as harmala alkaloids).
In Turkey dried capsules from the Syrian Rue plant are strung and hung in homes or vehicles to protect against "the evil eye". In Iran, dried capsules - mixed with other ingredients - are burnt so as to produce a light, distinctly scented smoke or incense. It is used as an air and mind purifier, perhaps linked to its entheogenic properties. This Iranian practice dates to pre-Islamic Zoroastrian times.
Syrian Rue seeds are also what inspired the magical tales of flying carpets. The seeds were used as a dye in the process of making persian rugs. The rug makers stockpiled the seeds. As they were making the rugs, they were also traveling the cosmos on flying carpets.
Syrian Rue is currently legal to buy, sell, and possess in the United States.
