Ruta graveolens

Rue ( Ruta graveolens )

The common rue ( Ruta graveolens ) is a species of the genus of the diamonds ( Ruta ) in the rue family ( Rutaceae ). It is one of the herbs and the herbal remedies, but is now grown mainly as an ornamental ornamental plant.

Origin

The rue is native to southern Europe and grows wild in the Mediterranean area and on the Balkan Peninsula to the Crimea.

Description

The rue is a subshrub with woody lower branches, which reaches heights of growth of up to 1 m. The finely divided leaves fall on by its spatulate leaves and their blue-green color, which is based on " tires " with a layer of wax.

The dull yellow, almost odorless flowers appear from June to August in reichblütigem trugdoldigen inflorescence. Are formed with a diameter of about 1 cm spherical capsule fruits.

Ingredients

Rue leaves contain an essential oil with the main component 2- undecanone ( methyl nonyl ketone ), an aliphatic ketone, which dominates the smell and is therefore also called Rautenketon. Minor ingredients are 2- nonanone, and various esters of (2- nonyl acetate, 2- Undecylacetat also propionates and isobutyrates ).

At the leaf surface, rue outsourced from various furanocoumarins from Psoralentyp, depending on the type and dose have photosensitizing properties. This can lead to a photo dermatitis, which is manifested by redness of the skin and blister formation followed by brownish pigmentation in the context of direct sunlight (UVA radiation) after contact. Typical of Ruta graveolens are furocoumarins bergapten, isoimperatorin have been found, psoralen and xanthotoxin.

Next contains the Rue alkaloids of various types, such as quinoline (quinolin- Type: Graveolinin, Graveolin; Furochinolin type: Skimmianin, Dictamnin, γ - Fagarin; acridone Type: Arborinin; Dihydrofuroacridin type: Rutacridon ) and quinazoline alkaloids ( Arborin ). The alkaloids are stored primarily in the roots, but also in the sheets. Some of these classes of significant toxic effect has been demonstrated; so the acridone alkaloids are mutagenic.

Weinraute as aromatic plant

Because of the essential oils, rue place in the perfume industry use. If you hold the leaves up to the light, you can see translucent, pin-prick holes - filled with essential oil glands. Rue, suspended in kitchen or pantry should keep away ants.

Rue as a spice plant

The leaves of rue, refer to the production of grappa and liqueurs similar use, as well as the Rue is the main component of the so-called four thieves vinegar. The leaves of rue can be seen as spice character of the ancient Roman cuisine. For a handed down recipe see Moretum ( herb cheese ). The leaves have an intense flavor, so you have to use it sparingly. The wort is recommended to various meat dishes ( venison, mutton ) to eggs, fish and cheese spreads, salad, gravy, biscuits and herb butter. In Ethiopia, the rue fruits are dried and used as a spice. Because of the abortifacient effect of the Rue Pregnant women should avoid the spice.

Rue in the healing arts

In today's herbal medicine, rue is no longer any use. The plant is phototoxic, which means they may cause skin irritation with simultaneous touch and sunlight cause (compare giant hogweed ). It should not be used by pregnant women as well, as it can lead to miscarriage.

However, the Rue was a highly valued medicinal plant both in antiquity and in the Middle Ages. It should help with eye problems, as well as for earache and worm infestation. She was also reputed to be an effective antidote against poison. Your reputation as an excellent remedy became the hash in the 17th century at the time of the great plague. She was included in the famous vinegar of the four thieves, with the four French thieves had rubbed before the houses of plague victims robbed in Toulouse, without getting infected. This vinegar also contained sage, thyme, lavender, rosemary and garlic - so the effect was not due probably to the strong hash smell, as it was believed at the time, but on the germicidal action of the other plants.

The rue is also known for its abortifacient effect. In some regions of France, they therefore also bears the name " herbe à la belle fille" - herb of the beautiful girl. Allegedly had the hash plants are surrounded with a grid decades ago in the Botanical Garden of Paris, because young girls plundered the stocks.

History

The diamond is occupied in Central Europe since Roman times. In the Roman fort Praetorium Agrippinae in Valkenburg charred diamond seeds were found.

Weinraute in superstition

As a universal remedy you said after the rue, to protect against all poisons, against ghosts and devils and against the evil eye. Thus, the plant well-developed and was medicated, the seeds should be sown with curses and imprecations; Plantlets, however, they had to steal.

In Italy, the common people struggled with diamond branches from the evil eye. Also you dipped it in holy water and sprinkled bedroom, where evil spirits had disturbed the love relationship of a married couple. The Weinraute you wrote also true that they help to preserve the chastity or to protect them.

In the Swiss Simmental Rue was packed together with Birnbrot or Hutzelbrot, salt and oak coals in a cloth, put everything into a hole in the doorway, blocking the hole with a computational tooth. This Weaning is reconciled all the ghosts and witches who had to live as worms in wood threshold.