Medieval herb garden blog 86: Rue

Rue has a very intense, sharp, bitter taste accompanied by a strong, musky smell. Historically it was paired with eggs, cheese, fish, and strong meats like boar or lamb. However, like bay, it was removed before serving.  It was also mixed with damson plums and wine to produce a meat sauce.

Rue was used extensively in ancient Near Eastern and Roman cuisine. It was also used as a traditional flavouring in Greece and other Mediterranean countries.

In the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the young branches of the plant are dipped in a batter, deep-fried in oil, and eaten with salt or sugar.

It was also used as an ingredient in herbal vinegars and pickled vegetables.

However, John Gerard in 1597 said that “Rue used very often either in meat or drink, quencheth and drieth up the natural seed of generation, and the milk of those that give suck.”

More seriously, rue extracts are mutagenic and hepatotoxic. Frequent use or large doses can cause fatal liver damage.

Rue gives a soft yellow or green tone on natural fibres. Historically, freshly crushed leaves were mixed with verdigris to produce a bottle-green paint.

One of rue's names was the 'herb of grace'. This may refer to its use, tied in bunches, to sprinkle holy water in services in medieval churches. It was also used during exorcisms.

Rue was one of the ingredients of 'Four Thieves’ Vinegar'. This herbal concoction was supposed to protect against plague. 

It was customary for judges and courtroom attendees, sitting at assizes, to have sprigs of rue placed on the bench and dock. The sprigs were thought to ward against the 'pestilential infections' brought into court by the prisoners.

Rue is on the coats of arms of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Until 1918, the King of Saxony issued the Order of the Rautenkrone (Crown of Rue). This is the highest order of the Kingdom of Saxony. In 1902 this honour was conferred on George V, when he was the Prince of Wales.

Sprigs of rue have been interspersed between thistles on the collar of the Scottish Order of the Thirstly since the later seventeenth century.

In European and Latin American folk magic, rue is viewed as a powerful shield against hexes, evil spirits, and the 'evil eye'. It was also thought to give second sight.

In the language of flowers, rue symbolizes repentance, sorrow, and regret.

Most cats dislike the smell of rue, and it can, supposedly, be used as a deterrent.

Rue is considered a national herb of Lithuania. It is the most frequently referenced herb in Lithuanian folk songs. It is commonly associated with young girls, virginity and maidenhood. In traditional Lithuanian weddings, it was common for virgins to wear rue at their wedding as a symbol of purity. Likewise, rue is prominent in Ukrainian folklore, songs and culture. It is also common in Poland where brides wore a small wreath of rue ('ruciany wianeczek').

Rue was used as a treatment for headaches, eye problems, bites, plague, poisons, infections, gout, joint pains, rickets and the bubonic plague. It was used to relieve pain and alleviate wind and colic. Rue was also thought to expel worms. It was known to be effective in a wide range of women’s health conditions. However, its use often risked the death of the mother.

In Culpeper’s 'Complete Herbal' (1653) rue is recorded as “a remedy for the pains or griefs in the chest or stomach, of the spleen, belly, or sides, by wind or stitches”. In his book, 'The Herball' (1597), John Gerard also said that “mixed with honey it is a remedy against the inflammation and swelling of the stones, proceeding of long abstinence from venery.”

*Needless to say, this isn't to be considered medical advice from us to you today! No herbs mentioned in these blogs should be used as medicine without advice from a doctor.