Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs - Scott Cunningham 1985

Rue
The Herbs

(Ruta graveolens) P K B S

Folk Names: Bashoush (Coptic), Garden Rue, German Rue, Herb of Grace, Herbygrass, Hreow, Mother of the Herbs, Rewe, Ruta

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Deities: Diana, Aradia

Powers: Healing, Health, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Love

Magical Uses: Rue leaves placed on the forehead relieve headaches. Worn around the neck rue aids in recuperation from illnesses and also wards off future health problems. Rue is added to healing incenses and poppets. Fresh rue, sniffed, clears the head in love matters and also improves mental processes.

Rue added to baths breaks all hexes and curses that may have been cast against you, and it is also added to exorcism incenses and mixtures. It is protective when hung up at the door or placed in sachets, and the fresh leaves rubbed on the floorboards send back any ill spells sent against you. The Romans ate rue as a preservative against the evil eye, and the plant was also carried to guard the bearer from poisons, werewolves, and all manner of ills. A sprig of fresh rue is used as a sprinkler to distribute salt water throughout the house. This clears it of negativity.

Mix fresh rue juice with morning dew and sprinkle in a circle around you while performing magical acts for protection, if desired or needed. Rue is another plant said to grow best when stolen, and indeed, its presence in the garden beautifies and protects it. For some reason toads have an aversion to rue, however.