I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa

 Among the Bosniak people, common rue or herb-of-grace (Ruta graveolens) is a cult plant that accompanies an individual from birth to death. Namely, it is well known that pregnant women carried the stem of the common rue with them to protect them from miscarriages and it was also placed near a young child as a countermeasure to evil eyes and diseases. Probably because of this, old women have always warned that "common rue is better protected than a child!", wanting to emphasize its importance in the traditional life of our people. Furthermore, people would reach out for the common rue whenever peace and harmony was needed in their marriage, bring prosperity, create love luck, cure diseases. Common rue is also traditionally planted in cemeteries and it used to be customary to place the stem of the common rue above the head of a woman or a man who had passed away as a symbol of their innocence and purity, while the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua) was used for the rest.

During the weddings a bouquet of common rue had a strong place in this ceremony, it was used in order to protect the bride and the groom from all evil.

It is notable that the aforementioned plant has connections with Holy authorities, in the Mawlid chapter “Birth of the Prophet” in the first verse we can read the following:

Amina, majka Muhamed-pejgambera,
ona sedef rodi zrno bisera…

But the connections of the plant with Holy elements does not stop here which, after all, is shown by the magic formula which is pronounced aloud upon picking out this plant: “I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa…” It is interesting to note how there are a few version of this short fable dedicated to the common rue but they all have the same beginning, while the second part is changed, but in essence it is all similar such as the following:

I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa

 to give me the medicine that she knows.

or:

I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa, 

to be of use and remedy to me until the Day of Judgment.

Other than that, it is custom among women to pick out 33 hard seeds of common rue each year right before fall and line them on a thread, that way they create the so-called common "rue rosary" (sedef-tasbih), which is then placed on a wall so it attracts prosperity into the house.

According to some folk healers, every man can independently get rid of sorcery and negative energy on their own using the apotropaic power of this natural amulet and the destroyer of evil. In a bowl filled with spring water place nine flowers, nine leaves and nine twigs of common rue and then, while standing above the bowl, chant nine time each of these prayers: El-Fatiha, Ihlas, Falaq, En-Nas and El-Leheb. After that blow on the water three times. Leave the bowl of water outside overnight under the stars, but be careful so that a dog or a cat doesn’t come near it, tomorrow morning before the Sun is out, pour the water on yourself from head to toe. Dirty water, alongside with the remains of the plant, is scooped up from the bottom of the bathtub and is then spilled somewhere where humans do not cross, usually underneath some hedge. Afterwards one slice of bread is crumbled up into that bowl that was used for the ritual and placed outside so that birds can eat out of it.

Angel’s blessing

Other than Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it comes to this plant a lot of beliefs and practices can be found in Latin America. Women there, much like the Bosnian ones, have the established practice of placing a twig of common rue underneath the sheets after giving birth, this is done in order to protect themselves from envy and evil eyes. The local people of Latin America associate this plant a lot with fertility which is demonstrated by the practice of the natives where if a woman cannot conceive a child she should eat two leaves of basil, a three centimeter long branch leaf of common rue and boiled chocolate every morning on an empty stomach.

In addition to this information, the old healers record an important recommendation which reads that at the time of a plague there is nothing better for a man than to take a stem of common rue and sniff it. It is noticeable that a great deal of attention is given to the unusual smell of the plant, which not only has the ability to scare away evil spirits, it also heals diseases. In the old book from the year 1722 under the name of “Book about the secrets of agriculture” written by Miguel Agustin, in one part of his description of the common rue he advises the following: “In order for the common rue to be beautiful, aromatic and have a seductive smell, it needs be planted under a fig tree or put in its bark, as its sweetness diminishes the sour smell of the common rue.”

Common rue is well known even dating back to the antic times when it was widely used as a reliable tool but also as an amulet against evil eyes, spirits, diseases and magic. It is written that Roman judges would carry the stalk of common rue with them when going to trial to criminals and wrongdoers. Namely, at that time it was believed that individuals from those social miles possessed evil eyes so they used this method to defend themselves. The bouquet of this plant was also hung above the entrance door, not only to repel witches and evil, but also due to the old common belief that says “ an angel will stop and bless the house that has common rue inside it”. 

Based on a presented belief which is probably based on the saying that goes that this plant is a plant of positive mood, in other words this plant creates positive energy in its surroundings, which is the best recommendation to have it planted in your house, in some flowerpot which you will place in the corner of your room or at your window.

It is very good and useful to cultivate this plant in your yard especially at the front door. It is an old rule that the common rue must be planted on the right side of your door which allows the plant to soak up all the envy, in other words all the negative vibes which certain visitor radiate. All individuals who suffer from the lack of positive mood and spiritual energy, who look at life and reality in a highly pessimistic way or are filled with issues and frustrations fall into this category of a visitor with negative vibes. There are a lot of people like this today which is in itself a good enough reason to sincerely take in the advice and cultivate common rue at your house.

Another very important detail which discovers the wonderous prophylactic properties of the aforementioned plant is the fact that Chango sorcerers, which rule the African black magic, one of the most dangerous forms next to voodoo, hate and call this plant their worst enemy. A House that has this plant growing in the yard or simply placed on their balcony, their witchcraft which is also known as Nfoki cannot penetrate it. It is also believed that it’s very preferable to have the common rue on your balcony, especially if you live in an apartment, since you can never know who’s living right next to you. This rule is especially applied to families that have young children.

Although it is considered the most powerful plant against negative energy, it can also be teamed up with basil and rosemary, they are considered to have similar powers. Therefore, in the ritual of sweeping the sick with a bouquet made of common rue, basil and rosemary, a prayer known as the "Blessing of the Three Grasses" is said. Its power is to help you heal or cleanse your body of negative energy for nine days. The prayer reads:

Common rue, basil and rosemary, from the ground and the Holy God in all its virtues, you were not planted by human hands. Common rue, basil and rosemary, because of the secret that God bestow upon you, remove all that is enchanted in my home and bring the health that God gave us. Common rue, basil and rosemary, with your first smoke cast out all evil spirits.

This prayer is also used to protect the home from black magic and evil spirits, it is chanted on two holy days, Wednesday and Friday, it is also a well known method of bringing in positive energy.