RUTA GRAVEOLENS
[The Rue plant] [Arruda or The Herb of Grace]
Tam: arudam [naagadhaali] Mal: Aruta, Telugu:
Sadapa, Hindi: Sadab Kan: Sadabu/ Nagadhali
The
plant is a short bushy growing one with deep green or bluish green leaves with
yellowish flowers carrying a typical smell partly pungent or oily in character.
It is believed to repel snakes and thus the name ‘NAAGADHAALI’.
‘Rue’
is a native of Mediterranean but is well-adapted to grow in most climatic
situations –including hill stations. In some countries the plant is used as an
insect repellant and in some cultures for aromatic incense [smoke-generating]
purpose . In some cultures, rue is used for cooking but sparingly so due to its
bitter taste and strong aroma.
In
some countries, the dry leaves or slender sticks are used as ‘book mark’ to
drive away book insects/silver fish due to its strong aroma. Rue is believed to
possess the power of driving away ‘Evil eye’. In some Jewish societies rue
clusters are placed near infants to protect them from bad/evil forces.
Rue
is consumed in very small quantity as it can be mutagenic and can be
hepatotoxic [liver-damaging]. Skin rashes [dermal allergy] can arise from rue
for sensitive persons.
Rue
oil is carefully used as a repellent of mosquitos/ insects and in treating certain
bone damages with very mild dosage. In all, rue preparations are more based on
belief /sentiment and not much is known about ‘rue’ in South Indian tradition.
