Practical
Plants

Ruta graveolens

Rue

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ruta genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Ruta
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.5 m
Spread
0.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of this plant are poisonous in large quantities[10]. It should not be used at all by pregnant women since it can induce abortions[5]. The sap contains furanocoumarins, sensitizing the skin to light and causing blistering or dermatitis in sensitive people[14].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or used as a seasoning[12][26][10][17][22][27]. It is occasionally eaten in salads[24], but is strongly aromatic and slightly toxic, so should only be used in small quantities[26][10][4][8]. The taste is strong and bitter[20]. The leaves contain rutin, which has a beneficial effect upon the circulatory system[18]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity above. The leaves can be brewed into a tea[8].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Rutin
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Rue has a long history of use as a domestic remedy, being especially valued for its strengthening action on the eyes[24]. The plant contains flavonoids (notably rutin) that reduce capillary fragility, which might explain the plants reputation as an eye strengthener[20]. Some caution is advised in its use internally, however, since in large doses it is toxic and it can also cause miscarriages[24][26][20]. The whole herb is abortifacient, anthelmintic, antidote, antispasmodic, carminative, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, haemostatic, ophthalmic, rubefacient, strongly stimulant, mildly stomachic and uterotonic[24][26][17][5][18]. 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[24]. An infusion is used in the treatment of hysterical affections, coughs, flatulence etc[24]. 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[24]. An alkaloid found in the plant is abortifacient, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic[18]. A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the fresh herb, harvested in early summer shortly before flowering begins[19]. This is used in the treatment of a variety of complaints including eye strain, headache and sprains[19].

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Antiinflammatory
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Haemostatic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[24][3][6][13][4]. The dried herb can also be put in the linen cupboard to repel moths[3][6]. The growing plant is also said to repel cats[13]. A red dye is obtained from the plant[4]. An essential oil is obtained from the leaves and young shoots, it is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[25]. The plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[4]. Plants can be grown for ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[16]. They can be trimmed back in spring to keep them bushy[16].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
S. Europe.
Habitat
Rocks, old walls and dry hills, mainly on limestone[27].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[14], it can also be sown in early to mid spring in a cold frame[3][22]. 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[1]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[14]. Very easy[K]. Layering in early summer. Old plants often self-layer[14].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in any soil but is hardier in a poor dry soil[24][23][14]. Prefers an open sunny position[26][7]. Prefers a partially shaded sheltered dry position but succeeds in full sun[1][24][14]. Prefers a well-drained or rocky soil[14]. Likes some lime in the soil[2]. Established plants are drought tolerant[11]. Hardy to about -10°c, possibly to lower temperatures when it is grown in a dry soil[9]. Often cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb, there are some named varieties[9]. The bruised leaves have a pleasant orange-like fragrance[21]. It is one of the most pleasant herbs to inhale[21]. 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[21]. Rue is a poor companion plant for many other species, growing badly with sage, cabbage and sweet basil[3][6][13][15]. It is a good companion for roses and raspberries[15]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩1↩2

  6. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  12. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  13. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  15. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2

  16. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  17. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  18. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-333-55581-3

    ↩1↩2

  20. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

  21. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  22. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩1↩2

  23. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  24. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  25. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  26. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  27. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2

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