Rue scientifically known as common rue, rue and herb of grace is inherent to Balkan Peninsula. It is usually cultivated as an ornamental plant. Being native to Balkan Peninsula, it is herb with bitter, aromatic and acrid scent. It has woody and tough branches with bluish to green leaves. The flowers bloom in summer. It is used as an antidote for poison and to treat digestive problems, nervous afflictions and hysterics. Rue essential oil is derived by steam distillation of fresh Rue plants. This oil has main components such as Butanone, Bergaptene, Nonyl Acetate, Nonaone, Undercanone, Psoralen and Xanthoxin. Rue has other various names such as Herb of Grace, Herbygrass, Garden rue, Countryman’s-treacle, Common rue, German Rue, Herbe de la Rue, Herbe de Repentance, Herbygrass, Ruda, Raute, Ruda de Castilla, Rue des Jardins, Rue Officinale, Ruta Grav, Rue Puante and Rutae Herba.

Health Benefits of Rue essential oil

Rue essential oil possess anti-arthritic, antidote, antibacterial, anti-rheumatic, insecticidal, digestive, sedative, anti-hysteric and anti-epileptic properties. Some health benefits provided by Rue essential oil are listed below:

1. Prevent growth of fungus

This essential oil possesses anti-fungal properties that prevent the growth of fungus both outside and inside the body. It prevents the chances of dermatitis, Athlete’s foot, decomplexion of skin and food poisoning.

2. Acts as an antidote

The effective neurotoxins found on Rue essential oil acts as antidote for poisons. It induces vomiting and counters poisoning. It is helpful for bites of venomous snakes, intoxication by narcotics, stings and insect bites.

3. Eliminates bacteria

Rue essential oil is able to eliminate bacteria and its infections. It should be used in moderate amounts. It is helpful for the people with food poisoning caused due to bacterial infections on intestines, colon, urinary tract and salmonella.

4. Keep insects away

This essential oil has toxic properties which is fatal to insects. It could be used in fumigants, vaporizers, incense sticks and burners.

5. Lowers pain

It lowers the pain in joints which is related to rheumatism and arthritis due to its numbing and de-sensitizing effects.

6. Calms nerves

This oil has neurotoxic properties that sedates nerves and calms convulsions, afflictions and nervous hyperactivity which leads to uncontrolled involuntary actions and trembling limbs.

7. Assist digestion

Rue essential oil helps to promote digestion that provides relief from the conditions such as digestive issues and indigestion.

8. Relax nerves

It is sedative that helps to counteract hysteric and epileptic attacks. It has neurotoxins that  promotes numbness of nerves and relax them by making the patient inactive, calm and tranquilized.

Traditional uses

• It provides relief from arthritis pain and treats sprains as well as bruises.
• It is useful for contusions, wounds, varicose veins, physical overexertion, dental problems, painful feet and ankles and painful stiffness in hands and wrists.
• It is an effective treatment for itching skin, healing bleeding, external and internal hemorrhoids.

Precautions                                                                                                 

• Children, breast feeding and pregnant women should not use it.
• Use it with caution because rue might cause irritation to mucous membranes and skin.
• Avoid exposure to the sunlight after its use because it is sun sensitivity.
• Do not use it in aromatherapy because it could irritate or burn the skin.

Other Facts        

• It blends well with Benzoin, Bay, Fennel, Chamomile, Myrrh, Frankincense, Wormwood and Pennyroyal.
• It is used in facial care, massage, relaxing and perfumes.

Rue essential oil facts

Rue is also called herby grass or garden rue which is widely used in the manufacturing of perfumes and cosmetics. It is also used to make alcohols, herbal vinegars and flavorings. It is used as a treatment for gout, glaucoma, rheumatism, itchy skin, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, warts, varicose veins and wounds. It also relieves fainting spells, contusions, headaches, dry socket, compression wounds, convulsions, high blood pressure, anxiety, toothaches, epilepsy, anxiety and stiffness.

Rue essential oil facts and benefits Quick Facts
Name:	Rue essential oil facts and benefits
Origin	Being native to Balkan Peninsula, it is herb with bitter, aromatic and acrid scent.
Colors	Pale yellow, orange, amber
Health benefits	Prevent growth of fungus, Acts as an antidote, Eliminates bacteria, Keep insects away, Lowers pain

Name	Rue essential oil facts and benefits
Scientific Name of Rue plant	Ruta graveolens
Native	Being native to Balkan Peninsula, it is herb with bitter, aromatic and acrid scent. It has woody and tough branches with bluish to green leaves. The flowers bloom in summer. It is used as an antidote for poison and to treat digestive problems, nervous afflictions and hysterics.
Common/English Names of Rue plant	Herb of Grace, Herbygrass, Garden rue, Countryman’s-treacle, Common rue, German Rue, Herbe à la Belle-Fille, Herbe de la Rue, Herbe de Repentance, Herbygrass, Ruda, Raute, Ruda de Castilla, Rue des Jardins, Rue Fétide, Rue Officinale, Ruta Grav, Rue Puante, Ruta graveolens, Rutae Herba, Rutae Folium, Sudapa
Name in Other Languages of Rue plant	Polish: ruta, German rue, bashoush, Garden rue, Hreow, Rewe, Herbygrass, Mother of the herbs, Herb of Grace, Ruta Ostrowonna, Ruta; French: Rue; German: Raute, Gartenraute; Spanish: Ruda; Mayan: sink-in; Greek: Apighanos, Pighanos;
Parts used	Flowers
Extraction method	Steam Distillation
Color	Pale yellow, orange, amber
Aroma	Bitter, strong
Health Benefits	Prevent growth of fungus Acts as an antidote Eliminates bacteria Keep insects away Lowers pain Calms nerves Assist digestion Relax nerves
Traditional uses	It relieves arthritis pain and also treats sprains and bruises. It helps contusions, wounds, varicose veins, physical overexertion, dental problems and other health conditions as well. It is a cure for itching skin, bleeding, external and internal hemorrhoids.
Precautions	Avoid by children, breast feeding and pregnant women. It should be used with a caution because it might irritate mucous membranes and skin. Avoid exposure to the sunlight. Not to be used in aromatherapy because it might irritate or burn the skin.
Other Facts	It is often blended with Benzoin, Bay, Fennel, Chamomile, Myrrh, Frankincense, Wormwood and Pennyroyal. It is also used in facial care, massage, relaxation and perfumes.