Ah, the rue! A magical little plant, surrounded by mysteries. It is said that she scares the evil eye, haunts envy and chases away evil spirits.
At Holy Mass, the priest uses sprigs of rue to sprinkle holy water. The healers have a faithful companion for their prayers.
And did you know that a rue vase at the entrance to the house provides protection?
Well, there are several beliefs about this little plant. But it is not only because of them that the rue built its fame. This strong-smelling and unmistakable plant is also very popular for its therapeutic properties, including treatment of varicose veins.
Are you curious to know more about the rue? Want to have one at home? Then come see this post with us. We brought tips on how to take care of rue and curiosities that will make you even more in love with this little plant.
Arruda: curiosities and characteristics
The rue, scientific name Ruta Graveolens, has elongated leaves in shades of bluish green or greyish green. In adulthood, the rue has abundant flowering, with small yellow flowers, much appreciated by bees.
Of European origin, the rue is a plant used by mankind for centuries. There have been reports of therapeutic use of rue since ancient Greek times.
The Roman Empire was also very enthusiastic about the use of rue. The plant, already at that time, was used in baths, scalding feet and in the treatment of seizures and feverish states.
In antiquity it was also very common to use stewed rue in wines and vinegars and as a seasoning for meat, fish, cheese and salads. However, the bitter taste of the rue has prevented it from being appreciated in modern times.
In religions of African origin the rue also stands out, being used in the form of infusions, baths and teas.
Uses, properties and care with rue
The rue has therapeutic properties already scientifically proven, among them we can highlight analgesic, anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory, soothing, repellent, febrifugal and fortifying vermifuge action.
The rue is also an excellent ally in combating varicose veins, since it contributes to the increased resistance of blood vessels.
The rue can still be used as a natural repellent for fleas, lice, scabies and ticks. A potted plant in the backyard also helps to ward off insects, flies and pests on other plants.
Another interesting effect of rue is in combating anxiety. According to aromatherapy, just inhale the rue essential oil to feel more calm and relaxed.
However, despite all the benefits, the rue should be handled and used with caution. This is because the plant has a high degree of toxicity, especially when administered internally, whether in the form of teas, seasoning or in vaporizations.
Among the most common side effects of rue we can highlight vomiting, seizures, bleeding, tremors and severe abdominal pain. In high doses, rue can even lead to death.
Pregnant women should not in any way ingest or use skin rue or scalding feet. The plant is abortive. Lactating women should also avoid using rue.
The rue can still cause phytophotodermatosis, that is, a kind of sunburn on skins that had contact with the plant. Therefore, when handling the rue always wear gloves and wash your hands well afterwards.
Also, as a precaution, avoid planting rue in places easily accessible to children and pets.
How to plant rue
You can choose to plant the rue in three different ways. Check out each one of them below:
Seeds
Planting rue by seeds is simple and can easily be done at home. To do this, just have one of those bags of seeds sold in garden stores and a sowing machine. However, if you prefer, you can do the planting directly on the final bed.
Prefer fertile soils for planting the rue, opting for a mixture of common soil and substrate. Make small dimples about 0.5 cm and deposit the seeds. Cover with little soil and water. The seeds must be irrigated daily.
About ten days later, it is already possible to monitor the germination phase. When the seedlings reach about 10 cm in height, transplant to the final location. Bearing in mind that meanwhile, the seed should be in a well-lit place, but protected from the strong sun.
If all goes well, the rue will grow and develop, reaching up to one meter in height.
Cuttings
Another common method for planting rue is cuttings. Here, just choose a healthy adult rue tree and cut one of its branches. Choose those that are at least about ten centimeters. Then, stick the branch in the soil and water it a lot.
In a few days, the new seedling will have roots.
Division
Planting by division is also very simple and can be done from large, well-developed rue feet. In that case, you just need to choose a branch with its own roots and thin out. Then just replant this small specimen in a vase or flower bed.
How to care for rue
One of the easiest plants to grow at home is the rue. She hardly ever complains: it can be sunny, rainy or cold.
But don't be fooled into thinking that this is why the rue is immortal. Even though the rue is easy to grow, it needs some specific care and you need to learn what they are. Otherwise, you will always think that your rue died because of the neighbor's fat eye.
Soil and pot
The rue tolerates very well sandy soils, with gravels and boulders. It also does well in slightly acidic soils, although it grows best in alkaline soils, with a pH between 7 and 7.5.
For the case of planting in pots, it is very important to offer a good drainage system for the plant. Very soaked soils can easily compromise the health and development of your rue.
Light and temperature
The rue is a very versatile plant in terms of luminosity. It does well in the sun and also in the shade, but you will notice that it develops much better in full sun, that is, receiving more than 6 hours of sunlight per day.
In well-lit places, close to windows and doors, the street also goes well. But never leave it in completely shaded places.
The rue also enjoys the heat. For this reason, it tends to develop better in environments with temperatures above 18º.
Watering
The younger the rue, the more water you will need to offer it. Then, in adulthood, watering can be more widely spaced. However, never let the soil dry out too much.
And if you plant the rue in a clay pot, remember that this type of material competes for water, and may leave the plant “thirsty”. If this is the case, water the rue more often.
Fertilizing
The rue is not demanding in terms of fertilization. But you can strengthen and improve the quality of life of the plant by regularly offering organic fertilizers, those made at home, earthworm humus and even NPK 10-10-10.
Harvest
The rue is a perennial plant, that is, it remains there even after flowering and harvesting. When properly cared for, the rue can live for more than ten years.
When you need to harvest leaves or branches of the rue choose the ones closest to the base and always use scissors to make the cut.
You can also choose to harvest a larger amount and dry the leaves, dehydrating them.
When used wisely and with good intentions, rue only benefits. So plant yours, take care of it with care and then just reap everything it has to offer.
