By Katrina Rasbold
The Magical and Healing Properties of Rue: The Herb of Protection and Purification
Rue (Ruta graveolens), often referred to as the “Herb of Grace,” is one of the most powerful and ancient plants used in magical and healing practices. Revered for its protective, purifying, and healing qualities, Rue has been used for centuries by witches, healers, and spiritual practitioners. This hardy plant has a long history in folk magic and herbal medicine, with its ability to ward off negativity, break curses, and bring physical and emotional relief.
In this blog post, we will explore the magical and healing properties of Rue, its rich history in folklore, and how you can incorporate this powerful herb into your spiritual and wellness practices.
The Magical Properties of Rue
1. Protection and Banishing Negativity
Rue is one of the most potent herbs for protection, often used in spells and rituals to ward off negative energy, curses, and evil spirits. Its strong protective energy creates a barrier that shields the user or space from harm, making it an essential ingredient in rituals of banishment and cleansing. Rue’s energy helps to dispel negativity, break hexes, and protect against psychic attacks.
In magical traditions, Rue is commonly used in protective amulets, charms, and incense blends. Placing Rue in your home or carrying it on your person can help keep unwanted influences at bay. It is particularly effective when used in rituals designed to remove curses, break jinxes, or banish harmful entities.
How to Use Rue for Protection and Banishing:
•Protection Sachet: Place dried Rue in a small cloth pouch with other protective herbs like rosemary or sage. Carry this sachet with you or hang it near your front door to protect yourself and your home from negative energy.
•Banishing Spell: Burn dried Rue as part of a banishing ritual to remove hexes, curses, or unwanted spiritual influences. As the smoke rises, visualize it clearing away all negativity and harmful energy from your space.
•Rue Water: Brew a strong infusion of Rue leaves and use it to cleanse doorways, windows, and other entry points to protect your home from negative energies. You can also sprinkle Rue water around your home to create a protective boundary.
2. Purification and Spiritual Cleansing
Rue is often used in rituals of purification and spiritual cleansing. Its purifying properties help to clear away stagnant or negative energy, making it ideal for use in cleansing baths, space clearing, and ritual purification. Rue is known for its ability to cleanse the aura, remove energetic blockages, and promote spiritual clarity.
In addition to purifying individuals and spaces, Rue is used to prepare for spiritual work or important rituals. By removing negative energy and creating a clean energetic slate, Rue helps to ensure that your spiritual intentions are clear and unimpeded by external forces.
How to Use Rue for Purification and Cleansing:
•Cleansing Bath: Add dried Rue to a bath to cleanse your aura and remove negative energy. As you soak, visualize the Rue’s energy purifying your body, mind, and spirit, leaving you refreshed and revitalized.
•Smudging Ritual: Burn Rue as an incense to cleanse your home or sacred space. As the smoke fills the room, it will help clear away negative energy and bring a sense of peace and harmony to the environment.
•Ritual Preparation: Before beginning any spiritual work, cleanse your altar or ritual space with Rue by sprinkling a few dried leaves or using Rue-infused water to wipe down surfaces. This will help clear the area of any lingering negative energy and ensure your space is spiritually clean.
3. Breaking Curses and Hexes
Rue’s protective and purifying nature also makes it a powerful herb for breaking curses, hexes, and malevolent spells. Historically, it was used by witches and healers to remove jinxes and free individuals from the influence of dark magic. Rue’s energy works to neutralize harmful intent and dissolve negative spellwork, returning the energy to its source or rendering it powerless.
In folklore, Rue was considered a potent plant for breaking the “evil eye”—a curse believed to cause harm or misfortune to its victim. To break such a curse, Rue was often carried as a protective amulet or used in ritual baths and spellwork.
How to Use Rue for Breaking Curses:
•Curse-Breaking Bath: Create a curse-breaking bath by adding Rue to hot water along with salt and bay leaves. As you soak, visualize the curse or hex dissolving and being washed away, leaving you free from its influence.
•Return to Sender Spell: Place dried Rue in a black sachet with salt and garlic. Carry the sachet with you or place it under your pillow to break a curse and send the negative energy back to its source.
•Protective Amulet: Carry a small piece of Rue in your pocket or wear it in a charm to protect yourself from future curses and hexes. Its energy will help shield you from harmful intent and keep you safe from spiritual harm.
4. Love and Fertility Magic
While Rue is primarily associated with protection and purification, it also has associations with love and fertility. In ancient Roman and Greek traditions, Rue was used in love spells and fertility rites to enhance passion, increase desire, and promote conception. Its energy is believed to open the heart and bring emotional healing, making it useful in rituals designed to attract or strengthen love.
In fertility magic, Rue was used to promote healthy pregnancies and ensure a successful birth. It was often combined with other fertility herbs and used in rituals to bless couples seeking to conceive.
How to Use Rue for Love and Fertility:
•Love Charm: Combine Rue with rose petals and lavender in a sachet to attract love and strengthen emotional bonds. Keep the charm on your person or place it near your bed to enhance passion and emotional connection.
•Fertility Spell: For fertility magic, place Rue under your pillow or carry it in a sachet to promote conception and a healthy pregnancy. Its protective energy will help safeguard both mother and child during this time.
The Healing Properties of Rue
In addition to its magical uses, Rue has a long history in herbal medicine. Known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties, Rue has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including pain, inflammation, digestive issues, and infections. However, due to its potency, Rue should be used with caution and under the guidance of a trained herbalist or healthcare provider.
1. Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammatory
Rue is commonly used as a remedy for pain and inflammation, particularly for conditions such as arthritis, muscle pain, and joint stiffness. The plant contains compounds that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, making it useful for reducing pain and swelling. Rue can be applied externally as an infused oil or poultice to soothe aching muscles, relieve tension, and reduce inflammation in the body.
How to Use Rue for Pain Relief:
•Rue Oil: Create an infused oil by soaking fresh Rue leaves in olive oil for several weeks. Apply the oil to sore muscles or joints to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
•Rue Poultice: Crush fresh Rue leaves and apply them as a poultice to sore areas for immediate relief from pain and inflammation. Be sure to test a small area of skin first, as Rue can cause irritation for some individuals.
2. Digestive Health
Rue has traditionally been used as a digestive aid, particularly for relieving indigestion, gas, and bloating. Its bitter properties stimulate the digestive system, helping to improve digestion and alleviate discomfort after heavy meals. Rue can also be used to relieve cramping or spasms in the digestive tract, making it useful for conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
How to Use Rue for Digestive Health:
•Rue Tea: Brew a mild tea using dried Rue leaves to support digestion and relieve gas or bloating. Drink the tea after meals to promote healthy digestion. However, Rue should be used in small doses, as it can be toxic in large quantities.
•Digestive Tincture: Create a tincture from Rue leaves and take a few drops to support digestion. Always consult a healthcare professional before using Rue medicinally, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.
3. Antimicrobial and Antifungal
Rue’s antimicrobial and antifungal properties make it effective for treating infections, both internally and externally. In traditional herbalism, Rue was used to treat respiratory infections, skin infections, and even parasitic infections. Rue’s antimicrobial compounds help to fight off harmful bacteria and fungi, making it a valuable remedy for wounds, skin irritations, and minor infections.
How to Use Rue for Healing Infections:
•Rue Wash: Create a strong infusion of Rue and use it as a wash for minor cuts, wounds, or skin irritations to prevent infection and promote healing.
•Respiratory Health: Rue tea or tincture can be used to support the respiratory system and fight off infections, but it must be used in very small doses and under professional supervision.
Folklore and Historical Use of Rue
Rue has a long and fascinating history in folklore and magical traditions. In ancient Greece and Rome, Rue was considered a sacred herb with protective and purifying properties. It was used in religious rituals to cleanse sacred spaces and ward off evil spirits. In Christian tradition, Rue was called the “Herb of Grace” and was used to sprinkle holy water during blessings and exorcisms.
Rue was also believed to protect against the “evil eye,” a curse that was thought to bring misfortune or illness. Carrying Rue or placing it in the home was said to prevent the evil eye’s effects and keep harmful energies away. In folk magic, Rue was often used to break hexes and curses, making it a powerful tool for protection and spiritual cleansing.
Precautions
While Rue has many magical and medicinal uses, it is important to handle this herb with caution. Rue can be toxic in large doses and may cause skin irritation when applied topically. Pregnant women should avoid using Rue, as it can cause uterine contractions. Always consult with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider before using Rue medicinally.
Rue is a potent and versatile herb that offers powerful protection, purification, and healing. Whether you’re using it to ward off negativity, break curses, or support physical health, Rue’s strong energy can help create a safe and harmonious environment. With its rich history in magic and healing, Rue remains a valuable tool for spiritual practitioners and herbalists alike.
Incorporate Rue into your rituals, spells, and wellness routines to harness its protective and purifying powers, and experience the transformative energy of this ancient and sacred herb.
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Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. You can reach her through www.katrinarasbold.com.