Rudi Plant: Everything You Need to Know and Tips

Did you know that rue is called by some as “herb of grace“? Yes, it has such fabulous properties and applications that make it an interesting plant of its kind. Do you also know that rue is a plant that belongs to the wild flora of Spain? This shrub is typical of the Mediterranean environment; it has a predilection for arid and rocky places, and it is not uncommon to see it grow on demolished walls and in ruins. It is truly a gift of nature.

Rue is a plant that reaches or exceeds a meter in height. It is characterized by its content of balsams and essential oils in great quantity. It has ant hemorrhagic, soothing, sudorific properties, etc. in any of its varieties: Rota Montana, Rut chalepensis; even a medicinal power for the heart is attributed to him. However, this plant gives off a strong aroma and its taste is bitter, which generates a certain rejection of its consumption. Do you know that depending on the weather, its leaves take on a different shape?

Rue develops very well under sunlight or under light shade, but the most fascinating thing is that it withstands cold temperatures down to -14°C, but must be sheltered from strong winds; even so, it does not require much care. For this plant, the drainage plays an important role, since it antagonizes a clayey and too compact soil; however, irrigation cannot be abundant either to avoid waterlogging. These aspects are important to know so that you discard any limitation to cultivate it in your own garden.

There are those who give it esoteric properties. They recommend that if the rue is male (its leaves are large), it should be located on the left side of the garden or your house. Rue is female when its leaves are small. Celtic magicians used it to counteract any spell.

It is also often used as an ornamental plant in gardens due to the bluish color of its leaves, and as a condiment for your favorite dishes. In some houses, rue is used to keep insects away from the crop.

If you have already grown rosemary you can grow rue because they reproduce in the same way.

Instructions for Everything You Need to Know and Tips

In general, the planting of rue can be done through two methods: by seeds or by cuttings. And it has no major complications.

1. From now on you can choose whether you want to grow on your own land or in a pot.  The ideal time for sowing is in spring or summer.
2. When planting it, you must leave a distance of approximately one meter apart, but this is optional, since this plant tends to expand in the soil, even so you can control its growth.

By seeds

1. They do not need to be buried, just spread them on the ground, and that it is moist, so simple will be its germination.
2. Sunlight should hit it directly and the temperature should be greater than 20 degrees.
3. The reproduction of rue through seeds can vary according to your needs:
4. If you wish to transplant in mid-spring, prepare the seeds in a warm seedbed during the winter.
5. If you prefer to transplant in mid-summer or early fall, prepare seeds in mid-spring.

By cuttings

1. Dig a small hole that is no more than 2 cm. previously; tear off the leaves until the stem is clean. Plant the cutting (a twig). Try not to bury it more than 2 cm. it is more convenient to keep it at ground level. 
2. You will be surprised that in less than three weeks the roots will already be sprouting.

Irrigation

1. It can be watered a few times a week to keep the soil fresh and active. A soil in these conditions guarantees that it flourishes.

Pruning and care

1. You must clear the land of weeds and remove the earth.
2. Rue does not require fungicides, since it is not usually affected by any pest. However, it is sometimes attacked by whiteflies and mites but this is a result of lack of irrigation.
3. Rue requires a first pruning in mid-spring to give it shape; then it requires complete pruning, even at ground level during the winter because this strengthens it and stimulates the development of new shoots. You will see a beautiful and rejuvenated plant.

Harvest

1. The propitious moment for the harvest is during the month of August, since it is in this season when the blossoming takes place.
2. From the second year, during the summer, the plants begin to bloom.
3. You cannot wait for it to fully bloom for the harvest, you must do it before flowering, when the buds of its flowers have not opened, because that way you can take advantage of its essential oils.
4. Later, you can keep them in a cool place, but previously let their leaves dry in a cool place.
5. If you are just entering the world of gardening, this plant will pleasantly introduce you as a beginner, since its cultivation process will leave you with great satisfaction.
6. When it has already reached its full growth, it is conducive to reproduce it through cuttings or taking advantage of its seeds.
7. To obtain new rue seeds you must let its flowers dry completely.

What do you need for everything you have to Know and Tips?

• Shovel.
• Scissors.
• Organic fertilizer.
• Pots.
• Gravel.
• Gloves.
• Mortar or pestle.
• Olive oil.
• Strainer.

Tips for Everything you need to Know and Tips

Rue is considered the herb of a thousand uses since these extend beyond a simple tea or infusion. However, we want to give you some recommendations for its different uses and applications.

General

1. Even though the rue does not require a soil with more nutrients, the fertilizer stimulates the good growth of this plant. An organic or mineral-rich soil is recommended.
2. After watering it is recommended to let the soil dry, but always check that the plant is not too dry.
3. Rue does well in the sun, but adapts well to partial shade. The balcony of your house is a good place.
4. It is advisable to grow it first in a pot and then transplant it to the garden or land that you have prepared for it.
5. After its harvest, do not mix the rue with other plants, remember its toxicity, you can even label the container where you keep it.
6. Wear gloves to avoid skin irritation.

Therapeutic

Rough can combat various common diseases such as: gingivitis, fainting, hysteria, anxiety, cramps and epilepsy.   In the ocular aspect, it combats cataracts and other conditions. It contributes to our cardiovascular system because it helps reduce varicose veins. Nevertheless:

1. The drugs that rue contains must be administered with common sense and moderation, since its abuse can cause lethal effects.
2. Rue has a degree of toxicity, so you must be careful when handling it.
3. Rue should never be eaten directly. The amounts must be dosed according to its level of toxicity, but if you use it wisely it can help you cure different ailments.
4. It is important to know that rue produces side effects: skin sensitivity, mood swings, spasms, rashes, insomnia, stomach irritation, dizziness. However, each body reacts differently to treatments with this plant.
5. In the case of pregnant women, it is advised not to take it, as it can cause miscarriage.  In the liver and kidneys it can cause conditions, which is why it is contraindicated in drug or natural form for people who have these ailments.
6. If you already suffer from stomach or digestive tract pain, it can make your condition worse.
7. The dose of tea cannot be more than 2 cups daily.
8. The skin irritation that rue can generate is due to the fact that it antagonizes sun exposure, which causes a photo irritant effect. On the other hand, its volatile oils and its alkaloid content cause sensitivity due to ultraviolet rays; this irritation can result in blisters and other injuries.

Homemade

1. To use it as an insect repellent you can take some leaves, dry them and put them in a cloth bag. You can place them in any part of the house where you need to ward off insects.
2. For pets it is used as
3. For fungal infections, place rue leaves directly on the skin. Do it with caution because remember that it is irritating. Rue is an excellent antifungal, even for dermatitis and athlete’s foot.
4. If your skin has lost elasticity over the years, rue is a great antioxidant and prevents premature aging. To prevent DE complexion, use the essential oils of this plant, and many spas apply them in their facial beautification routines. Could you save many euros if you dare to grow it?
5. To restore shine to hair, this oil is also beneficial.
6. Rue tea is beneficial for relieving infections of the urinary tract, colon, and intestines.
7. For arthritis you can drink 1 or 2 cups of the tea regularly, it even helps relieve stiff muscles and joint pain.
8. As an antispasmodic and menstrual cramps you can drink a cup of hot tea.
9. The poultice combats abscesses and boils, spread it on the affected area and cover it with a bandage.
10. Due to its high content of vitamin C, rue is used to prepare various sauces, including alcoholic beverages.
11. Rue also works as a fungicide or insecticide in your garden to prevent the plague if you make a rue extract.

Tea, infusions and essential oils, poultices

Depending on the intended use, as we have already mentioned, rue has different forms of preparation:

1. To prepare rue tea, boil a liter of water and add 10 leaves. Then, keep them in the boiling water for a few minutes, turn it off and let it sit for 5 minutes. Finally you sneak it. It can be sweetened with sugar, honey or taken bitter. You can take it according to your taste: warm, cold or hot.
2. To extract essential oils from rue, you can take advantage of its stems, flowers and leaves for steam distillation in a still. Sulfur is recommended for the production of essential oil.
3. To prepare rue oil there are different methods: You must take fresh rue leaves, freshly cut and with flowers; Crush them in a mortar and pour the liquid you extract from it into a container or bottle. Add olive oil, only a quarter, and close it hermetically exposed directly to the sun and serene. After forty days, strain the oil and rub it on the area of ​​the body where you wish to use it therapeutically. Then cover the affected area with a bandage.
4. To prepare a poultice, crush rue leaves.
5. To prepare an extract of rue you can take a stem or fresh leaves, about 800 gr.  Approximately immersed in 10 liters of water. You let it ferment and then with a spray you spray it on the ground, this way you will prevent aphids, snails, etc. from approaching your crop.

Rue really is an exceptional plant. Since ancient times it has been used by kings, indigenous people and scientists to take advantage of its properties and for the simple cultivation process. Cheer up to have a small crop in your garden. It will be very useful to you.