Garden Rue Herb Seedlings

Rue is an evergreen plant with gland-studded foliage. The feathery pinnately compound leaves usually have two or three leaflets and are often gray-green or blue-green. The dull yellow flowers are borne in clusters, producing lobed capsules with numerous seeds.

Rue has a bitter flavor and is not used widely. It is a component of berbere, a characteristic spice mixture of Ethiopia and Eritrea, and is a traditional flavouring in certain Mediterranean countries. The fragrant leaves can be used as an insect repellent.

The plant has a long history of use in traditional and herbal medicine, particularly to stimulate menstruation and as an abortifacient. Such preparations are unlikely to terminate a pregnancy; they also may induce vomiting, hemorrhages, and liver damage, which can be lethal in severe cases. In addition to rue being hepatotoxic in large doses, skin contact with the plant can cause severe phytophotodermatitis and burnlike blisters following sun exposure.