Rue 'Herb of Grace' 11/1/2015

The Rue (Ruta graveolens) growing in our garden has flowered for the first time this year. She was one of the first herbs planted in then sandy soils some 5 years ago. She was shifted once, then has stayed where she now blooms. I read (in rather a blinkered fashion, given her also recorded virtues) from herbalist Dorothy Hall, that fresh, she could irritate the skin and eyes, and so I kept a distance. Not now. She has called me to her beautyways with her delicate yellow green flowers that have small stars at their centres. The silver greys of her leaves vary, darkening as they grow, wreathing the blooms in a circle of delicately curvaceous Eucalypt like colours. So, today with her permission I tasted a leaf, a little bitter but to me delicously earthy, of scent especially. Amidst the shadows another beloved. Although I do realise she is a potent plant requiring small doseage, that her unusal taste may provide in and of itself.

I now remember I also knew her from a series of books called 'The Chain of Charms' by Kate Forsyth. The story of two gypsy children, Emilia and Luka, with their friends, a bear, monkey, dog and horse, who journey to save their imprisoned family from the noose, under Oliver Cromwell in England. Their task, encouraged by their Grandmother, is to gather  six magical charms from several separate branchs of their tribe. When reunited they, especially Emilia, believe their mission will be blessed and their family safe. One of the six charms is a silver sprig of Rue, the 'Herb of Grace' and well might it be for both its medicinal and magical reputation.

Rue was one of the ingredients in the 'Vinegar of the Four Thieves' a recipe brought to the fore during the times of the bubonic plague in Europe. Possibly created and used with success by the apothecary, Richard Forthave, however there is another tale....

Four thieves who had managed to ransack empty plague ridden homes and remain unharmed, were captured and brought infront of the French judges in Marseilles. The judges pondered aloud questioning how they achieved this, and the thieves replied that they washed with a particular vinegar preparation every few hours. In return for the recipe, the thieves were set free.

There are several  recipe versions for Four Thieves Vinegar, here is one:

2 quarts apple cider vinegar
2 tablespooons Rue
2 tablespooons Lavendar
2 tablespoons Rosemary
2 tablespoons Sage
2 tablespoons Wormwood
2 tablespoons Mint
2 tablespoons Garlic buds

Combine the dried herbs, except the garlic, and steep in the vinegarin the sun for two weeks. Strain and rebottle. Label. Add several cloves of garlic, and allow to steep furthur for several days, then strain. You can add 4 ounces of glycerine as a preservative.

It is said this aromatic and antibacterial vinegar can be used as a sickrooom wash, or diluted for a body wash, but that because of the strength of some of these herbs it must be diluted for the skin. Internally the dose is a teaspooon at a time in water-no more than one tablespoon an hour (3 teaspooons = 1 tablespoon) to act as a preventative during an epidemic. I haven't tried this recipe myself, hope not to need to either but looking at the ingredients it kinda makes some sense eh?

When I spoke with Rue, wondering at those flowers, she spoke of a capacity to dislodge beings/ entitys from ones aura, which I suppose is the energetic version of helping to clear physical space, perhaps also part of her ancient reputation for curing insanity. I hope to learn more from Rue with time, now we've been properly aquainted.

Gail Faith Edwards gives a recipe for a 'Happy Home Magic Bag' made from a favourate fabric. Place inside: some Rue, a morsel of bread, ash from your hearth and something from each family member. Hanging the bag in your home to bring family (all species in my book) happiness, health, harmony and prosperity.

References:

'The Chain of Charms' (series of six books) by Kate Forsyth. Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd, starting in 2006.

'Opening our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs' by Gail Faith Edwards. Ash Tree Publishing, New York, 2000.

'Dian Dincin Buchman's Herbal Medicine: The Natural Way to Get Well and Stay Well'. Gramercy Publishing Company, New York, 1980.

'Dorothy Halls Herbal Medicine. Lothian Publishing Company Pty Ltd, Melbourne, 1988.