Rue (Ruta Montana) perfumes

Pervasive and bitter, herbaceous, pungent, aldehyde, orange

Source

Rue grows in meadows. It has yellow leaves and is widely cultivated in arid areas along the Mediterranean coast. Spain and Morocco are the main producers.

Extraction Method

Rue essence is extracted through steam distillation of several rue varieties (especially ruta graveolens and ruta montana). This annual plant grows about 12 inches high and blooms from June to September.

Use

Rarely seen in perfumery, it is only used as a trace to enhance an aldehyde character or to sometimes recreate a sweet pea note. In Italy a "grappa alla ruta" is produced by immersing the whole plant in a bottle and letting it macerate to obtain the liquor. It is used as a tonic in low doses (two leaves) but toxic in high doses.

Medicinal properties

In the past, rue essence was used as an abortive drug, but because many accidents occured, this practice was abandoned.