Common Rue
Synonym: Herb-of-grace
Common Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a herb from the familiy Rutaceae originated in Middle and South Europe. The bluish and bloomy leaves have a spicy bitter flavor. Besides its essential oil, common rue contains resins, tannins and bitter constituents.
Common rue can be used in small doses to flavor salads, soups, meat and sauces (also read which spices / herbs to use with a particular dish).
Common rue in natural medicine
In natural medicine, common rue has been attributed the following characteristics:
- appetizing
- digestive
- nervine
Otherwise, the intake of big amounts can have the following side effects:
- indigestions
- phototoxicity
- spontaneous abortion
As Paracelsus said: "Only the dose determines if a substance was poisonous or not".