Rue Cut & Sifted Herb (Ruta Graveolens)

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Rue Cut & Sifted Herb (Ruta Graveolens) 1 Ounce HERB COMMON NAME :  Rue HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Ruta Graveolens OTHER NAMES :  Herb of Grace, Witchbane, Garden Rue, German Rue, Herbygrass, Hreow, Mother of the Herbs, Bashoush, Rude, and Rewe FAMILY :  Rutaceae Element: Fire Planet: Mars Day: Tuesday Direction: South Zodiac Sign: Aries Chakra: 6th Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) Energy: Yang Gender: Masculine Rune: Naudhiz Tarot: the Tower Number: 8 Animal: Owl, Cat, Vulture, Raven, Crow Sabbat or Holiday: Imbolc / Candlemas (February 1-2) Deity or God / Goddess Association: Diana, Mars, Aradia, Hermes, Horus, Mercury, Odysseus, Menthu   Parts Used:  Herb (aerial parts) Description:   Tea brewed from rue leaves is used as a body wash to kill lice. Leaves made into a salve is used externally to help relieve pain caused by sciatica. In the ancient Roman world, the naturalists Pedanius Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder recommended that rue be combined with the poisonous shrub oleander to be drunk as an antidote to venomous snake bites. Rue was thought to protect against plague, and it was used as a strewing herb on to repel fleas. The juice of rue is used as a repellent for scorpions. Like other bitters (wormwood, for instance), rue was used to get rid of worms. Fresh leaves are used in cooking in very small amounts and are said to give a flavor like strong blue cheese (“graveolens” means strong smell in Latin). As a culinary herb, it is commonly encountered in ancient Roman cooking and is sometimes still used in Italy; it is a favorite in Ethiopian dishes. It goes well with acidic flavors and is added to pickles. It also flavors meat, cheese, or eggs and tastes good with olives and capers in sauces. You can get the rue flavor without its bitterness by putting it in a boiling sauce for no more than a minute and then removing it. That way only the essential oils are extracted into the sauce and not the bitter rutin. Extracting into oil should also provide less of the bitter principle. Rue sometimes flavors liquors, as in grappa con ruta. Historical Uses:  protection from disease, repelling insects, repel scorpions, snake bite antidote, intestinal worms, lice, nerve pain, sciatica Mystical Attributes:  Rue has a long history of use as a cleansing and purification herb. Rue was once tied in bunches and used to asperge people and areas with holy water in churches. It can also be made into an infusion that can be used for asperging. It has been called the Herb of Grace because early Christians used it as a tool for asperging during exorcisms and before performing mass, and this herb is the only one that the Prophet Mohammed blessed. Rue is good for purifying objects made of iron before consecrating them. In some cultures, rue symbolizes regret, sorrow, and repentance. The verb “rue” actually means regret (reflected in the phrase, “You’ll rue the day!”). In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Ophelia uses rue to symbolize repentance and grief. Rue is purported to be one of the ingredients in Four Thieves Vinegar, used to ward off the Black Plague and was hung over doorways and windows to keep out evil spirits, and rubbed on the floors to keep out pests. In Italian folk magic, rue is placed over the doorway, and rue-shaped silver talismans called Cimaruta are worn to protect from the evil eye. Rue can be used in a variety of ways for banishing, warding off curses, and protecting from disease and other negative influences. For this, it can be worn or carried as an amulet, added to baths, and burned as incense to exorcise unwanted spirits from a space. Rue made into a wash for floorboards sends spells and curses back to the sender. Rue herb was given to Odysseus to protect from Circe’s spells and to counter the effects of her potions. Rue is grown in witch’s gardens, the fresh juice of the herb mixed with morning dew for protection. Rue has been used as a strewing herb to protect from illness. Hasidic Jews were taught that rue should be placed into amulets to protect them from epidemics and plagues. Other Hasidim rely on the works of a famous Baghdadi Kabbalist Yaakov Chaim Sofer who makes mention of the plant “ruda” (רודה) as an effective device against both black magic and the evil eye. Rue has historically been used to enhance vision and creativity. Both Leonardo di Vinci and Michelangelo used rue extensively to improve their eyesight and artistic vision. Rue can be placed over the third eye to assist with developing second sight and encourage psychic abilities. Rue’s flower essence helps one connect with the Fae. Mystical Intentions:  cleansing, purification, consecration, repentance, guilt, grief, sorrow, asperging, protection from the evil eye, warding off evil, curse breaking, hex breaking, banishing, exorcism, reverse and deflect curses, defensive magic, removing obstacles, protection from bullying, protection from disease, creativity, inspiration, visions, psychic ability, fae magic, fairy magic Taste & Smell:  Fresh rue has a bitter and slightly acrid taste, and a strong, often described as unpleasant, aromatic smell. Some people find it to have a numbing effect on the tongue. The smell is powerful and can be quite strong, especially when the leaves are bruised. Dried rue herb has a strong, somewhat unpleasant odor and a bitter, acrid, and nauseous taste. Some describe the smell as powerful and disagreeable. Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  This perennial native of southern Europe and North Africa is now naturalized in North America and the Balkans. It can be grown in pots. Some believe that growing it near other herbs renders them unfit for use, and other folks do not like its smell, which can be especially strong if the leaves are bruised. Dogs and cats hate it, but caterpillars of the black swallowtail butterflies love it. It is a semi-evergreen and will get larger in warm climates. Rue can grow in poor soil, and once it is established, it can stand hot, dry sites; water regularly until it is mature, though. It is good in knot gardens because it can be pruned into a hedge (prune in spring or after flowering to encourage bushiness). It goes well with light-colored flowers and is a nice rock garden plant. Rue can grow from zones 4-9 (temperate). Mulch it heavily in winter in northern areas to protect it, especially if you do not get much snow. Surface sow seed (needs light to germinate) in peaty soil at 68°F (20°C) to germinate in 7-28 days. Transplant to full sun and fertile soil that is not too wet (keep well-watered until it is established). This plant enjoys rocky soil. It gets 1.5-3 feet/45-60 cm tall. Prune in spring or after flowering for bushiness. Wear gloves when harvesting and don’t touch leaves on hot sunny days; its essential oils can cause photodermatitis. It self-seeds easily when happy, so deadhead it if you don’t want a lot more rue. It is perennial down to -40F (zone 4), but mulch in winter in the north. Once it gets going, you can propagate it by cutting off the tips of branches and rooting them. This plant can be fatal if ingested. It does not get along with mint. CAUTIONS, Contraindications & Toxicity: Rue can cause miscarriage. It is an abortifacient and was used for this purpose throughout history. May also cause or exacerbate heavy periods. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT or nursing. High amounts can cause nausea. Avoid use if taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) medications. Large amounts can cause depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, dizziness, cramps, violent gastric pain, vomiting, systemic complications, and death. The sap from fresh leaves can produce painful gastrointestinal irritation, fainting, sleepiness, a weak pulse, a swollen tongue, and cool skin. Exposure to common rue, or herbal preparations derived from it, can cause severe phytophotodermatitis and phototoxic reactions, which results in burn-like blisters on the skin. Rue essential oil can cause severe hepatic and renal toxicity. If sensitive to rue, the essential oil may cause blisters on the skin. Fresh leaves and essential oil can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people, especially on hot sunny days when the essential oil is strongest.   Constituents: Flavonoids (including rutin) Coumarins (such as gravelliferone, isorutarin, rutacultin, rutaretin, and suberenone) Lignans Acridone alkaloids (such as furacridone and gravacridone) Quinoline alkaloids (such as graveoline and grraveolinine) Furanoquinoline dictamnine Furanocoumarin 5-methoxypsoralen (bergapten) Furanocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen (xanthotoxine)     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional.  Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions. Products may cause discoloration to fabrics, woods, and other materials. Avoid contact and spilling. Products may be flammable. Do not expose to high heat or flame. Many of our products are hand made to order. Once orders are in processing, products are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and not returnable. Shipping times may be up to 3-4 weeks. ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Related