Rue 1025491 226047837 2008-07-16T16:24:32Z Gogo Dodo 1257855 Rv, good faith edit, but already covered in Wiktionary link {{wiktionarypar|rue}} {{otheruses}} {{Taxobox | name = Rue | image = Ruta chalepensis11.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Fringed Rue | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Sapindales]] | familia = [[Rutaceae]] | genus = ''Ruta'' | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = Between 8-40 species, including:<br/> ''Ruta angustifolia'' - [[Egyptian Rue]]<br/> ''Ruta chalepensis'' - [[Fringed Rue]]<br/> ''Ruta corsica'' - [[Corsican Rue]]<br/> ''Ruta graveolens'' - [[Common Rue]]<br/> ''Ruta montana'' - [[Mountain Rue]] }} '''Rue''' (''Ruta'') is a genus of strongly scented [[evergreen]] [[subshrub]]s 20-60 cm tall, in the family [[Rutaceae]], native to the [[Mediterranean]] region, [[Macronesia]] and southwest [[Asia]]. Different authors accept between 8-40 species in the genus. The most well-known species is the [[Common Rue]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are bipinnate or tripinnate, with a feathery appearance, and green to strongly glaucous blue-green in colour. The [[flower]]s are yellow, with 4-5 [[petal]]s, about 1 cm diameter, and borne in cymes. The [[fruit]] is a 4-5 lobed capsule, containing numerous [[seed]]s. It was used extensively in Middle Eastern cuisine in olden days, as well as in many ancient Roman recipes (according to [[Apicius]]), but because it is very bitter, it is usually not suitable for most modern tastes. However, it is still used in certain parts of the world, particularly in northern Africa. ==Literary references== Rue is mentioned in the Bible, Luke 11.42: "But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs". It has also sometimes been called "herb-of-grace" in literary works. It is one of the flowers distributed by the mad [[Ophelia (character)|Ophelia]] in [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Hamlet]]'' (IV.5): :"There's [[fennel]] for you, and [[Aquilegia|columbines]]: :there's rue for you; and here's some for me: :we may call it herb-grace o' Sundays: :O you must wear your rue with a difference..." It was also planted by the gardener in Shakespeare's ''[[Richard II (play)|Richard II]]'' to mark the spot where the Queen wept upon hearing news of Richard's capture (III.4.104-105): :"Here did she fall a tear, here in this place :I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace." In a song named Her Ghost in the Fog by the [[black metal]] band, [[Cradle of Filth]] on their [[Midian (album)|Midian]] album. :"An inquisitive glance, like the shadows, they cast :On my Love picking rue by the light of the Moon." [[Sofia Rotaru]], famous Pop-singer, sang the superhit [[Chervona Ruta (song)|Chervona Ruta]] in 1971. After her performance, a number of musical bands, film ([[Chervona Ruta (film)|Chervona Ruta)]], organisations and companies were named on the territory of the former USSR. The name of the song comes from an old Ukrainian legend [[Chervona Ruta]]. the song Chervona Ruta (litterally "red rue") became part of Ukrainian and Russian pop culture with recent rap arrangements. The [[progressive metal]] band [[Symphony X]] named a song "Absinthe and Rue" on their first album, [[Symphony X (album)|Symphony X]], and [[Kathleen Battle]], American soprano, has recorded the song cycle "Honey and Rue" written by composer Andre Previn in collaboration with the Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. Many traditional English folk songs use rue to symbolise regret. Often it is paired with thyme: thyme used to symbolise virginity, and rue the regret supposed to follow its loss. Rue is considered a [[Symbols of Lithuania|national herb of Lithuania]] and it is the most frequently referred herb in Lithuanian folk songs, as an attribute of young girls, associated with virginity and maidenhood. In [[mythology]], the [[basilisk]], whose breath could cause plants to wilt and stones to crack, had no effect on rue. [[Weasels]] who were bitten by the basilisk would retreat and eat rue in order to recover and return to fight. ==Medicinal uses== According to ''The Oxford Book of Health Foods'', extracts from rue have been used to treat eyestrain, sore eyes, and as an insect repellent. Rue has been used internally as an [[antispasmodic]], as a treatment for [[menstrual]] problems, as an [[abortifacient]], and as a sedative.<ref name="oxford">Vaughan, John Griffith & Judd, Patricia Ann, Judd, ''The Oxford Book of Health Food'', page 137, 2003. [http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA137&lpg=PA137&sig=jyXko0OXVkIJI8bw95j3SaAMV0k&id=mMl9vwVDxigC&ots=xEccjmk4qw#PPA137,M1 available online] ISBN 0198504594</ref> ===Precautions=== [[Image:Effet de la rue officinale.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Effect of the common rue on skin in hot weather]] Caution should be taken with using rue topically. When applied to the skin with sun exposure, the oil and leaves can cause blistering. Rue oil can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting and convulsions and may be fatal.<ref name="pmid17303046">{{cite journal |author=Eickhorst K, DeLeo V, Csaposs J |title=Rue the herb: Ruta graveolens--associated phytophototoxicity |journal=Dermatitis |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=52–5 |year=2007 |pmid=17303046 |doi=10.2310/6620.2007.06033 }}</ref> ==Songs associated with rue== [[Chervona Ruta (song)|Chervona Ruta]] (Червона Рута) ''Red Rue'' - A song, written by [[Volodymyr Ivasyuk]] - a popular Ukrainian poet and composer. ==See also== * [[Harmal]] (''Peganum harmala''), an unrelated plant also known as "Syrian rue" ==References== {{Reflist}} [[Category:Herbs]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] [[Category:Sapindales]] <!-- [[he:פיגם]] This appears to be a correct translation (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%92%D7%9D&btnG=Search+Images), but the corresponding article does not yet exist on Hebrew Wikipedia. --> [[es:Ruta (género)]] [[fa:سداب]] [[la:Ruta]] [[lt:Rūta]] [[pt:Ruta]] [[ru:Рута]] [[sv:Vinrutesläktet]]