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Rue

Name: Rue - Kahikatea Farm Certified Organic Nursery and Permaculture Farm
Availability: OutOfStock

Ruta graveolens

Price range: $8.50 through $10.50

An aromatic perennial shrub with attractive feathery blue-green foliage and a deliciously pungent aroma reminiscent (I think) of coconut. Native to the Balkan Peninsula where it was used as a culinary and medicinal herb, it became a favourite of the Romans, who took it to Britain and the Brits of course took it everywhere! Clusters of small yellow flowers are borne in summer, followed by lobed capsules with numerous seeds. Height approx 60cm. Evergreen. Frost hardy.

9cm or 11cm pot

Cultivation

Rue does best in full to part sun in well-drained soil. It will not tolerate water-logged soils in winter, but once established it can handle extremely dry conditions year round. It does not have high nutritional needs and can handle poor soils, making it very easy care. Trim after flowering or in spring if desired, but even this is not really necessary.

Uses

Rue was an important culinary and medicinal herb in ancient times, when it was enjoyed for its bitter flavours which have since fallen out of fashion. In Roman cuisine it was used in a spicy seasoning paste that also contained garlic, hard cheese, coriander, and celery seeds. It was also used to make a bouquet garni, along with celery, parsley and thyme. It is still popular in Ethiopia and Eritrea, where it is a component of the spice mixture known as berbere, and both the leaf and the seed are an important addition to traditional Ethiopian coffee.

The bitter taste is due to the substance Rutin, which is also present in capers and orange peel. Combining rue with an acid such as vinegar or tomatoes helps to dissipate the rutin, and as the flavour of rue goes well with other Mediterranean herbs such as marjoram, basil, lovage, olives, and capers, this all tends towards some delicious Italian cuisine! Rue was also used in Medieval times to enhance the flavour and keeping properties of wines.

The strong scent of this herb is also used to repel insects, and it has been used as an insecticide and fumigant. The Romans used it as a strewing herb, scattering fresh sprigs of the herb on floors to keep away disease, and the dried plant can also be used in wardrobes to repel moths. It is reputedly good at repelling flies, and can be put to good use in the garden as a companion plant to confuse pests, and even to keep dogs and cats aways, as it is said they dislike the smell. However the flowers attract butterflies.
A red dye can be obtained from the plant.

Medicinal Uses

Rue has a long history of use as a domestic herbal remedy in the treatment of various ailments but is less commonly used these days, and should only be used under qualified guidance. Rue can help to improve blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing strain on the cardiovascular system. It can be used to regulate menstruation, and bring on suppressed menses, and as it is also an antispasmodic can be used for menstrual cramps. It is also used to relax muscles in the digestive system and ease spasmodic coughs. Its anti-inflammatory properties help treat arthritis and sore joints.

Chewing fresh leaves is said to relieve tension headaches and anxiety, and promote restful and undisturbed sleep. It is used as a sedative due to the mild neurotoxins it contains, which can induce numbness and calm nerve endings. Rue is also both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and can be used for skin infections such as athletes foot.

Rue should be avoided in pregnancy as it is a powerful abortifacient.

Primary Actions: anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, anti-tussive, abortifacient

Parts Used: leaves

History / Folklore / Further Info

The genus name ‘Ruta’ comes from the Greek ‘reuo’ meaning to set free, as it has a reputation for ‘freeing from disease’.

The Romans believed the plant would ward off witches, and this evolved into the Catholic Church’s practice of dipping branches of rue into Holy water and sprinkling it over the heads of parishioners as a blessing, following which the plant also became known as the ‘herb of grace.’

Jo Says

Caution: Rue is hepatotoxic in large quantities, and is a powerful abortifacient. In rare cases the sap and leaves can cause skin blistering (usually only on hot days and only in a small percentage of people who are sensitive to it). The raw leaves have a very mild numbing effect on the tongue.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.