Not recommend for home use. "It is a poisonous plant, whether ingested or applied topically. Yes, it's loaded with spasm-calming natural compounds, but it still may cause miscarrage, intestinal pain, vomiting, convulsions, and prehaps even death. Use can result in serious dermatitis when you are out in the sun." James Duke, PhD- TGPH
Plant Description
A hardy evergreen, native to the Mediterranean the leaves are bluish-green and emit a powerful, disagreeable odor and have an exceedingly bitter and nauseous taste.
Folklore, Myths and Legends
History and Traditions
One of the oldest and garden plants cultivated for medicinal use introduced in England by the Romans, much used by the Ancients - regarded from the earliest times as successful in warding off contagion and the attacks of fleas and other noxious insects - one of the ingredients of the famous 'Vinegar of the Four Thieves'. Modern herbalist recommend rue to be used externally as a herbal compress to allay the pains of sciatica and headaches and as an effect agent in pest control.
Astrology:
It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. It provokes urine and women's courses, being taken either in meat or drink. The seed thereof taken in wine, is an antidote against all dangerous medicines or deadly poisons. The leaves taken either by themselves, or with figs and walnuts, is called Mithridate's counter-poison against the plague, and causes all venomous things to become harmless Nicholas Culpeper
Hippocrates specially commended it, and it constitured a chief ingredient of the famous antidote to poison used by Mithridates. The Greeks regarded it as an antimagical herb. In the Middle ages and later, it was considered a powerful defense against witches, and was used in many spells. It was also thought to bestow second sight. The common name "Herb of Grace" reflects the time when a brush of Rue was used to sprinkle the holy water in the ceremony "Asperges" before High Mass.
** Information on the traditional uses and properties of herbs are provided on this site is for educational use only, and is not intended as medical advice. Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Many traditional uses and properties of herbs have not been validated by the FDA. If you have any serious health concerns, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs. **
Remedies using Rue
One of the oldest and garden plants cultivated for medicinal use introduced in England by the Romans, much used by the Ancients - regarded from the earliest times as successful in warding off contagion and the attacks of fleas and other noxious insects - one of the ingredients of the famous 'Vinegar of the Four Thieves'. Modern herbalist recommend rue to be used externally as a herbal compress to allay the pains of sciatica and headaches and as an effect agent in pest control.
It is an herb of the Sun, and under Leo. It provokes urine and women's courses, being taken either in meat or drink. The seed thereof taken in wine, is an antidote against all dangerous medicines or deadly poisons. The leaves taken either by themselves, or with figs and walnuts, is called Mithridate's counter-poison against the plague, and causes all venomous things to become harmless 
Hippocrates specially commended it, and it constitured a chief ingredient of the famous antidote to poison used by Mithridates. The Greeks regarded it as an antimagical herb. In the Middle ages and later, it was considered a powerful defense against witches, and was used in many spells. It was also thought to bestow second sight. The common name "Herb of Grace" reflects the time when a brush of Rue was used to sprinkle the holy water in the ceremony "Asperges" before High Mass. 
