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Common Name: Rue

General Information

Ruta graveolens is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

All parts of this plant are poisonous in large quantities[]. It should not be used at all by pregnant women since it can induce abortions[]. The sap contains furanocoumarins, sensitizing the skin to light and causing blistering or dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S. Europe.

Habitat

Rocks, old walls and dry hills, mainly on limestone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any soil but is hardier in a poor dry soil[, , ]. Prefers an open sunny position[, ]. Prefers a partially shaded sheltered dry position but succeeds in full sun[, , ]. Prefers a well-drained or rocky soil[]. Likes some lime in the soil[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Hardy to about -10°c, possibly to lower temperatures when it is grown in a dry soil[].
Often cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb, there are some named varieties[].
The bruised leaves have a pleasant orange-like fragrance[]. It is one of the most pleasant herbs to inhale[]. Rue releases its scent in a remarkable way. The essential oil is contained in a cavity immediately beneath the surface of the leaf, above which is a thin layer of cells pierced by a cavity in the middle. The cells swell up and bend inwards, pressing on the essential oil beneath, which is driven to the surface of the leaf and there released[].
Rue is a poor companion plant for many other species, growing badly with sage, cabbage and sweet basil[, , , ]. It is a good companion for roses and raspberries[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or used as a seasoning[, , , , , ]. It is occasionally eaten in salads[], but is strongly aromatic and slightly toxic, so should only be used in small quantities[, , , ]. The taste is strong and bitter[]. The leaves contain rutin, which has a beneficial effect upon the circulatory system[]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity above.
The leaves can be brewed into a tea[].

Medicinal

Rue has a long history of use as a domestic remedy, being especially valued for its strengthening action on the eyes[]. The plant contains flavonoids (notably rutin) that reduce capillary fragility, which might explain the plants reputation as an eye strengthener[]. Some caution is advised in its use internally, however, since in large doses it is toxic and it can also cause miscarriages[, , ].
The whole herb is abortifacient, anthelmintic, antidote, antispasmodic, carminative, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, ophthalmic, rubefacient, strongly stimulant, mildly stomachic and uterotonic[, , , , ]. The tops of fresh shoots are the most active medicinally, they should be gathered before the plant flowers and can be used fresh or dried[]. An infusion is used in the treatment of hysterical affections, coughs, flatulence etc[]. The juice of the plant has been used in treating earaches and chewing a leaf or two is said to quickly bring relief from giddiness, nervous headaches, palpitations etc[].
An alkaloid found in the plant is abortifacient, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic[].
A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the fresh herb, harvested in early summer shortly before flowering begins[]. This is used in the treatment of a variety of complaints including eye strain, headache and sprains[].

Other Uses

The growing or the dried plant can be used to repel insects, it is most useful when the plant is grown near roses and raspberries[, , , , ]. The dried herb can also be put in the linen cupboard to repel moths[, ]. The growing plant is also said to repel cats[].
A red dye is obtained from the plant[].
An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots, it is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[].
Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[]. They can be trimmed back in spring to keep them bushy[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[], it can also be sown in early to mid spring in a cold frame[, ]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of young shoots in late spring[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[]. Very easy[].
Layering in early summer. Old plants often self-layer[].