Garden Rue
Ruta chalepensis
Family: Rutaceae
Rue is a strong-smelling, somewhat bitter botanical herb, often incomparable to any other plant. Culinary uses of Rue have been documented from Ethiopia, through the Mediterranean region, to England. In Palestine, Rue is best known as an additive to storing and curing black olives. Medicinally Rue has been used to treat arthritis and eye skin diseases. Leaves and stems are immersed in olive oil and placed in the sun for up to 15 days; the oil can then be applied to the skin. An infusion of the leaves is also known to treat poisoning.