Ruta graveolens , commonly known as rue, is a species of Ruta grown as an ornamental plant and herb.
It is native to the Balkan Peninsula. It is now grown throughout the world in gardens, especially for its bluish leaves, and sometimes for its tolerance of hot and dry soil conditions.
It is also cultivated as a medicinal herb, as a condiment, and to a lesser extent as an insect repellent.

Ajowan (Carum Ajowan) is a member of the Umbelliferae family, which has some 2,700 members including dill, caraway and cumin.
Ajwain is a plant of India and the Near East whose seeds are used as a spice.
When the seeds are ripe, they are dried and threshed. Ajowan is native to India, but is also cultivated in Iran, Egypt Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Culinary use:
Rue has a culinary use, but since it is bitter and gastric discomfort may be experienced by some individuals, it is used sparingly. Although used more extensively in former times, it is not a herb that is typically found in modern cuisine.

Medicinal uses :
In the ancient Roman world; rue combined with the poisonous shrub oleander was recommended to be drunk as an antidote to poisonous snake bites.

Flavour :
Bitter.

Other names :
Common rue or herb-of-grace.