The boar's rue has been grown for centuries as a spice and medicinal plant, initially in monastery gardens and later also in home gardens. The herb contains some valuable ingredients that provide relief from various ailments. Eberruute is also becoming increasingly popular as a seasoning in the kitchen.
What is the boar's rue used for?
The boar's rue is used in the kitchen as a seasoning for fatty dishes and as a medicinal plant for colds, digestive problems and to strengthen the immune system. In the garden, it protects other plants from pest infestation and can serve as a natural room scent.
Ingredients of boar rue
- Essential oils
- Rutin
- Abrotin
- Cumarin
- tannic acid
- Bitter substances
Using boar's rue in the kitchen
Eberraute is a close relative of the herbs mugwort, wormwood and tarragon. It goes well with all dishes that are also seasoned with these herbs.
Gourmets take advantage of the digestive effect of boar's rue by adding the herb to very fatty dishes.
Only the shoot tips are used. The whole leaves contain too many tannins and bitter substances, which give the food an unpleasant aftertaste.
Use boar's rue as a medicinal herb
The use of boar's rue as a medicinal plant is diverse. When drunk as a tea, it has an antibacterial effect and is used for colds as well as for digestive problems and to strengthen the immune system.
Eberraute should not be used during pregnancy. Likewise, drinking too much is not advisable if those affected suffer from kidney problems.
Harvesting boar's rue
The boar's rue harvest begins in summer. The leaf tips are collected continuously, even during flowering, and processed as quickly as possible.
Autumn is the main collecting time for boar rue. The leaves picked now are dried immediately after cutting to be used as a spice or tea in the winter.
The leaves exude such an aromatic smell that they are ideal as a natural room scent. To do this, the whole leaves are cut, bundled and hung upside down. With every breeze, the scent spreads throughout the room. However, this use option is not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Boar's rue as a remedy against pests
Because of its aromatic smell of lemon or cola, the boar's rue is not attacked by pests. When placed between other plants in the garden, it also protects them from pest infestation.
Tip
The boar's rue is also called the cola plant. Some varieties give off the typical smell of the popular drink. The leaves can be used to make a cold drink that tastes similar to Coca-Cola.
