Thursday Thirteen #9 - Rue's Metaphsyical Powers

Yep, here you have it a TT about the common old Garden rue Rutaceae - Ruta graveolens. Bet you didn't know these thirteen things about it:

1. Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo both claimed rue's metaphysical powers improved their eyesight and creative inner vision. (An infusion of leaves is still used to bathe tired eyes)
   
2. Branches of rue were used to sprinkle holy water before high mass - hence it became known as the Herb of Grace.
   
3. It was an important strewing herb and anti-plague plant
4. Robbers who stripped plague victims protected themselves with 'Vinegar of the four thieves' of which rue was a key ingredient
5. It was the main component of mithridate - a greek all-purpose poison antidote.
6. Rue is shown on the heraldic Order of the Thistle. - when Ophelia, in Shakespeare's Hamlet, IV,v (1600) is distributing flowers says: 'O! you must wear your rue with a difference,' she is referring to rue in the heraldic sense.
   
7. It inspired the suit of clubs in playing cards.
8. It's seeds were first used in Roman cooking in 1 AD
   
9. If you crush and sprinkle it's dried leaves they are a powerful insect repellent.
10. By drinking an infusion of its leaves is said to induce perspiration, bring on menstruation, and stimulate bile secretion.
    
11. Herbalists use it to treat hysteria, epilepsy, and abnormal blood pressure.
12. Next time you have partridge for dinner, use the seeds in a marinade with lovage and mint.

NOTE: RUE SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN DURING PREGNANCY, AND ONLY WITH MEDICAL SUPERVISION.

(Main Source: The Complete Book of Herbs : A practical guide to growing and using herbs by Lesley Bremness (1988)