Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Rue is a pungent, herbaceous single oil used sparingly in aromatic blends; it carries well-documented sensitivities that call for caution.
How to use it
Diffuse just 1–2 drops occasionally in a well-ventilated room — never an everyday oil.
Traditionally used in very small amounts; avoid topical and internal use.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Very low, if used at all — rue is phototoxic and toxic
- Phototoxic
- Yes — avoid UV after topical use
- Rue is phototoxic (contains furanocoumarins) — treated skin can burn in sunlight/UV; keep dilution very low and avoid sun for 12+ hours.
- Rue is also toxic and a traditional abortifacient — avoid during pregnancy entirely, and use only with expert guidance, if at all.
- Keep well out of reach of children.
Sources: JEOB study (2012)
Composition & chemistry
- 2-Undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone) 50%
- 2-Nonanone 15%
- 2-Decanone 6%
- 2-Dodecanone 5%
- 1,8-Cineole 3%
- Other minor constituents 21%
- 2-Undecanone (methyl nonyl ketone) — the dominant methyl ketone giving rue its sharp, pungent odour; studied for insecticidal activity JEOB study (2012)
Steam-distilled rue (Ruta graveolens); dominated by long-chain methyl ketones (2-undecanone). Rue is one of the more hazardous essential oils — both phototoxic and toxic.
Source: JEOB study on Tunisian Ruta graveolens essential oil (2012)Most reputable sources treat rue as a specialty oil for occasional, careful use.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Rue oil has been studied for insecticidal and antimicrobial activity in the laboratory. Its notable feature for consumers is its toxicity and phototoxicity, not a health benefit — it should be treated as a specialist, high-caution oil.
JEOB study (2012)
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Rue's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Rue oil is dominated by 2-undecanone and related methyl ketones, and also carries phototoxic furanocoumarins — the basis of its strong safety cautions.
JEOB study (2012)
Frequently asked questions
Is rue oil safe to use?
Rue is one of the higher-risk essential oils — it's both phototoxic and toxic, with a history as an abortifacient. It should be avoided during pregnancy entirely and used only heavily diluted with expert guidance, if at all. JEOB study (2012)
Why is rue phototoxic?
Like citrus peel and angelica root, rue contains furanocoumarins that react with UV light on skin, so treated skin can burn. Keep dilution very low and avoid sun exposure after any topical use. JEOB study (2012)
What is rue traditionally used for?
Historically rue has been used as an insect repellent and in folk medicine, but its toxicity means modern use is very cautious and specialist. It's not a beginner's oil. JEOB study (2012)
Gallery
The Plant
Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a bitter, blue-green Mediterranean shrub with a long and complicated history — used in ancient Greek and Roman households as a culinary and medicinal herb, and later associated across European folklore with warding off misfortune, though its modern reputation among aromatherapists is defined mostly by caution rather than by everyday use.
Extraction & Aroma
The oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and stems, producing one of the more potent aromas in the essential oil world — sharp, bitter-green, and distinctly herbaceous. It’s not a scent most people find pleasant on its own, and it’s used sparingly rather than as an everyday diffuser oil.
Why It’s Different From Most Single Oils
Unlike lavender or citrus oils, which have wide margins for safe everyday use, rue’s chemistry — dominated by a single ketone compound — carries a documented history of toxicity concerns with topical or internal use. That’s why rue rarely appears in mainstream blends and is treated by most reputable sources as a specialty oil for occasional, careful use rather than a staple.
Safety Notes
Rue contains compounds that can irritate skin and has a documented history of toxicity concerns with topical or internal use, so we recommend treating it as an occasional aromatic accent only — diffuse just 1–2 drops in a well-ventilated room, and avoid topical or internal use without qualified guidance. Rue should be avoided entirely during pregnancy, and it’s not an oil to introduce to children.
Our Take
Because the margin for safe use is narrower here than with most single oils, this is one where less is genuinely more — short diffusing sessions rather than daily use, and no substitute for professional guidance if you’re drawn to rue for a specific reason.
Found in these blends
Rue is one of the oils inside 2 Young Living blends.