Rutin is a Citrus Bioflavonoid - a natural substance found in plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, bark, and buckwheat. Citrus Bioflavonoids help protect capillaries, prevent bruising, and intensify the effect of vitamin C in the body. In fact, Bioflavonoids are essential for total vitamin C effectiveness. Citrus Bioflavonoids provide natural antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties. In addition, certain bioflavonoids are beneficial for fighting infections, free radical damage, viruses, and common colds. Bioflavonoids have also been used to help alleviate symptoms related to allergies and respiratory conditions. Citrus Bioflavonoids are sometimes considered vitamins because they possess the properties of a vitamin, and are sometimes referred to as vitamin P. They are found in several forms, including hesperidin, eriodictyl, quercetin, rutin, and hesperitin. They cannot be produced by the body, and therefore have to be taken as dietary supplements. Typical sources for Bioflavonoids also include the natural substances found in the peels of citrus fruits, peppers, and black currants. Other sources include apricots, cherries, grape fruit, grapes, lemons, oranges, prunes, rose hips. Herbs that contain naturally-occurring bioflavonoids include Chervil, Elderberry, Hawthorne Berry, Horsetail, Rose Hips, and Shepherd's Purse. The bioflavonoid Quercetin is typically available in capsule form as a supplement by itself. Rutin, commonly used in vitamin C supplements to boost its effectiveness, is derived from the buckwheat plant, and provides a non-acidic source of vitamin C. Daily use of Citrus Bioflavonoids can be helpful to those suffering from bruising, varicose veins, spider veins, arthritis, hemorrhage, phlebitis, high cholesterol levels, herpes, cataracts, general inflammation, bleeding gums, blood clots, scurvy, hemorrhoids, edema, and hypertension. Anyone taking Citrus Bioflavonoids is encouraged to also supplement their diet with up to 2,500 mg. of vitamin C to significantly increase their effectiveness in healing actions.