====== Rue ======
---- dataentry herbs----
latin_names: Ruta graveolens
folk_names: Bashoush (Coptic), Garden Rue, German Rue, Herb of Grace, Herbygrass, Hreow, Mother of the Herbs, Rewe, Ruta
gender_tags: Masculine
planet_tags: Mars
element_tags: Fire
deity_tags: Diana, Aradia
effect_tags: Healing, Health, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Love, Calming Emotions, Conscious Mind
part_tags: fresh leaves
----
===== Magical Uses =====
Rue leaves placed on the forehead relieve headaches. Worn around the neck rue aids in recuperation from illnesses and also wards off future health problems. Rue is added to healing incenses and poppets. Fresh rue, sniffed, clears the head in love matters and also improves mental processes.
Rue added to baths breaks all hexes and curses that may have been cast against you, and it is also added to exorcism incenses and mixtures. It is protective when hung up at the door or placed in sachets, and the fresh leaves rubbed on the floorboards send back any ill spells sent against you. The Romans ate rue as a preservative against the evil eye, and the plant was also carried to guard the bearer from poisons, werewolves, and all manner of ills. A sprig of fresh rue is used as a sprinkler to distribute salt water throughout the house. This clears it of negativity.
Mix fresh rue juice with morning dew and sprinkle in a circle around you while performing magical acts for protection, if desired or needed. Rue is another plant said to grow best when stolen, and indeed, its presence in the garden beautifies and protects it. For some reason toads have an aversion to rue, however.
===== Aromatherapy =====
Gerard stated that the juice of rue, when applied to the human body, prevented snakes, spiders, scorpions, bees, hornets and wasps from biting and stinging. It also guarded against poisoning by monkshook (wolfs bane) and fungi.
Many people dislike the powerful scent of rue. It is often described as “disagreeable” or “stinking.”
The biting fragrance of rue calms raging emotions of all kinds: jealousy, depression, love-obsession, anger, hatred, bigotry. The scent eases the pain of broken personal relationships and lessens the ache of non-mutual love. Sniff and push the matter out of your mind.
It powerfully affects the conscious mind, sharpening and fine-tuning it. Rue can also close down access to psychic information. This may seem to be a strange “magical” effect, but some persons are so swamped with psychic information that they can barely lead normal lives. Rue is one answer to this rare but difficult problem.
Sniff fresh rue once a day or so (if you have access to the herb) to maintain good health.
The essential oil is extremely hazardous and should not be used. Even simple handling of the fresh herb itself may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Be careful.