Ruta graveolens
Common rue | |
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Common rue in flower | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Sapindales |
Family: | Rutaceae |
Genus: | Ruta |
Species: | R. graveolens
|
Binomial name | |
Ruta graveolens | |
Ruta graveolens, commonly known as rue, common rue or herb-of-grace, is a species of the genus
Etymology
The specific epithet graveolens refers to the strong-smelling leaves.[1]
Description
Rue is a woody,
The flowers are small with 4 to 5 dull yellow petals in clusters. They bear brown seed capsules when pollinated.[2]
Uses
Traditional use
This article is missing information about effectiveness and safety of traditional medical uses.(October 2021) |
In the ancient Roman world, the naturalists
The refined oil of rue is an emmenagogue[5] and was cited by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder and Soranus as an abortifacient (inducing abortion).[6][7]
Culinary use
Rue has a culinary use, but since it is bitter and gastric discomfort may be experienced by some individuals, it is used sparingly. Although used more extensively in former times, it is not a herb that is typically found in modern cuisine. Due to small amounts of toxins it contains, it must be used in small amounts, and should be avoided by pregnant women or women who have liver issues.
It has a variety of other culinary uses:
- It was used extensively in ancient Near Eastern and Roman cuisine (according to Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq and Apicius).
- Rue is used as a traditional flavouring in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.[1]
- In Istria (a region spanning Croatia and Slovenia), and in Northern Italy, it is used to give a special flavour to grappa/raki and most of the time a little branch of the plant can be found in the bottle. This is called grappa alla ruta.
- Seeds can be used for porridge.
- The bitter leaf can be added to eggs, cheese, fish, or mixed with damson plums and wine to produce a meat sauce.
- In Italy in Friuli Venezia-Giulia, the young branches of the plant are dipped in a batter, deep-fried in oil, and consumed with salt or sugar. They are also used on their own to aromatise a specific type of omelette.[8]
- Used in flavouring ingredient.[9]
- The rue that is widespread in Ethiopian culture is a different species, R. chalapensis.[10]
Other
Rue is also grown as an ornamental plant, both as a low hedge and so the leaves can be used in nosegays.
Most cats dislike the smell of it, and it can, therefore, be used as a deterrent to them (see also
Caterpillars of some subspecies of the butterfly Papilio machaon feed on rue, as well as other plants. The caterpillars of Papilio xuthus also feed readily on it.[11]
Hasidic Jews also were taught that rue should be placed into amulets to protect them from epidemics and plagues.
It finds many household uses around the world as well. It is traditionally used in Central Asia as an insect repellent and room deodorizer.[clarification needed]
Toxicity
Rue is generally safe if consumed in small amounts as an herb to flavor food. Rue extracts are
Exposure to common rue, or herbal preparations derived from it, can cause severe phytophotodermatitis, which results in burn-like blisters on the skin.[14][15][16][17] The mechanism of action is currently unknown.[18]
Chemistry
A series of furanoacridones and two acridone alkaloids (arborinine and evoxanthine) have been isolated from R. graveolens.[19] It also contains coumarins and limonoids.[20]
Cell cultures produce the coumarins
The ethyl acetate extract of R. graveolens leaves yields two furanocoumarins, one quinoline alkaloid and four quinolone alkaloids including graveoline.[22][23]
The chloroform extracts of the root, stem and leaf shows the isolation of the furanocoumarin chalepensin.[24]
The essential oil of R. graveolens contains two main constituents,
Symbolism
The bitter taste of its leaves led to rue being associated with the (etymologically unrelated) verb
In the Bible
Rue is mentioned in the Bible, Luke 11:42:
"But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs".
In Lithuania
Rue is considered a
In Ukraine
Likewise, rue is prominent in Ukrainian folklore, songs and culture. In the Ukrainian folk song "Oi poli ruta, ruta" (O, rue, rue in the field), the girl regrets losing her virginity, reproaching the lover for "breaking the green hazel tree".[27] "Chervona Ruta" (Червона Рута—"Red Rue") is a song, written by Volodymyr Ivasyuk, a popular Ukrainian poet and composer. Pop singer Sofia Rotaru performed the song in 1971.
In Jewish culture
"Una Matica de Ruda" is a traditional
In English literature
It is one of the flowers distributed by the mad
- "There's fennel for you, and columbines:
- there's rue for you; and here's some for me:
- we may call it herb-grace o' Sundays:
- O you must wear your rue with a difference..."
It was planted by the gardener in Richard II to mark the spot where the Queen wept upon hearing news of Richard's capture (III.4.104–105):
- "Here did she fall a tear, here in this place
- I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace."
It is also given by the rusticated Perdita to her disguised royal father-in-law on the occasion of a sheep-shearing (
- "For you there's rosemary and rue; these keep
- Seeming and savour all the winter long."
It is used by Michael in Milton's Paradise Lost to give Adam clear sight (11.414):
- "Then purg'd with euphrasy and rue
- The visual nerve, for he had much to see."
Rue is used by Gulliver in
"I was at last bold enough to walk the street in his (Don Pedro's) company, but kept my nose well with rue, or sometimes with tobacco".
See also
- Ruta chalepensis or fringed rue, popular in Ethiopian cuisine
- Peganum harmala, an unrelated plant also known as "Syrian rue"
References
- ^ a b J. D. Douglas and Merrill C. Tenney Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 1150, at Google Books
- ^ a b "Ruta graveolens". Plant Finder. Missouri Botanical Garden. 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
- ^ Pliny the Elder. Natural History Book. p. Book 24, 90.
- ^ Pedanius Dioscorides. De Materia Medica. p. Book V, 42.
- ^ a b c "Rue". drugs.com.
- ^ Natural History Book XX Ch LI[full citation needed]
- PMID 20853553.
- PMID 17480214.
- ISBN 978-0-854-04630-0.
- ^ "Ruta graveolens". Kew Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 21 June 2023.; "Ruta chalepensis". Kew Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 21 June 2023., compare distribution maps.
- ISBN 0412569701.
- ^ This was taught by Rabbi Isaac of Komarno in his comments to Sefer Adam Yashar in the name of Rabbi Isaac Luria
- ^ https://www.sefaria.org/Kaf_HaChayim_on_Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.301.135?lang=bi[full citation needed]
- PMID 19671699.
- PMID 17667834.
- PMID 17303046.
- S2CID 45280728.
- ^ Naghibi Harat, Z.; Kamalinejad, M.; Sadeghi, M. R.; Sadeghipour, H. R.; Eshraghian, M. R. (2009-05-10). "A Review on Ruta graveolens L. Its Usage in Traditional Medicine and Modern Research Data". Journal of Medicinal Plants. 8 (30): 1–19.
- ^ Srivastava, S. D.; Srivastava, S. K.; Halwe, K. (1998). "New coumarins and limonoids of Ruta graveolens". Fitoterapia. 69 (1): 7–12. INIST 2179664
- .
- PMID 12568545.
- PMID 21401190.
- S2CID 28529328.
- ^ Walsh, William Shepard; Garrison, William H.; Harris, Samuel R. (5 January 1888). "American Notes and Queries". Westminster Publishing Company – via Google Books.
- ^ Ukrainian folk songs. Oi u poli ruta, ruta (O, rue, rue in the field). (Ukrainian)
External links
- Rue (Ruta graveolens L.) page from Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages