The Rutaceae Family - Order Sapindales

Summary

A thorough description is given of the Rutaceae plant family. A wide variety of sources were used including old and new masters in homeopathy and works on pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, mythology, symbolism, phylogeny and plant systematics.

Key words

Rutaceae - Sapindales

References

• 1 Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. 2nd ed. Andover; Intercept 2001
• 2 Christison R. A Treatise on Poisons. Edinburgh; Adam and Charles Black 1845
• 3 Greenish H G. A Textbook of Pharmacognosy. London; J. & A. Churchill 1933
• 4 March J. Dictionary of Classical Mythology. London; Cassell 1998
• 5 Mailhebiau P. Portraits in Oils. Saffron Walden; C. W. Daniel Company Ltd. 1995
• 6 Reed M. Fruits & Nuts in Symbolism & Celebration. San Jose; Resource Publications 1992
• 7 Ruck C AP, Staples D. The World of Classical Myth: Gods and Goddesses; Heroines and Heroes. Durham; Carolina Academic Press 1994
• 8 Simpson M G. Plant Systematics. Burlington, MA; Elsevier Academic Press 2006
• 9 Skinner C M. Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits, and Plants. Amsterdam; Fredonia 2002 (original 1911)
• 10 Soltis D E, Soltis P S, Endress P K, Chase M W. Phylogeny and Evolution of Angiosperms. Sunderland, MA; Sinnauer Associates, Inc. Publishers 2005
• 11 Stevens A. Ariadne's Clue: A Guide to the Symbols of Humankind. Princeton; Princeton University Press 1999
• 12 van Wyk B-E, van Oudshoorn B, Gericke N. Medicinal Plants of South Africa. Arcadia; Briza Publications 2002

1 Symbolic use of citrus appropriate for artistic/professional/social debut; beginning kindergarten/college/school; commencement; first word, first step; graduation; groundbreaking; housewarming; leaving home; new citizen; new home; new job; new venture; New Year's Day; New Year's Eve; première (Reed 1992). Derived from the consumption of lime and other citrus fruit juice as an anti-scurvy measure aboard British ships, the term “limey” came to be applied in Australia in the 19th century to newly arrived immigrants. Orange or grapefruit juice to start the day has become traditional in many parts of the world. Ruta is one of the Rutaceae that has “loss of appetite for breakfast”. In Vietnam, couples starting married life used to be given presents of oranges. In Lithuania, where it is the unofficial national flower, rue is an attribute of young girls, associated with virginity and maidenhood. Lithuanian brides traditionally wear a little crown made of rue as a symbol of maidenhood. During the wedding the crown is burned, symbolizing the loss of careless childhood and entrance into the world of adulthood. For protection against evil brought to a village by new arrivals (strangers), the vile-scented Ruta graveolens was originally considered the most potent anti-magical herb.

2 For instance in work or relationships. Because of the famous breakfast scene in Public Enemy (1931), in which Jimmy Cagney pushes a grapefruit into Mae Clarke's face, the fruit represents romantic alienation, a symbolism reinforced by its bitter taste (Reed 1992). In India the citron was carried by widows going to immolation in the suttee, probably as a token of life turned bitter because of the death of the mate. The gradual development of bitterness, or delayed bitterness, in certain citrus juices is caused by the formation of a limonoid called limonin from a tasteless precursor due to disruption of fruit tissues (mechanical damage, freezing, etc.). To combat the bitter endings of alcoholic inebriation, it is still common practice to inquire of the bar if a tot of Angostura Bitters is available to settle a hangover. Ruta graveolens, although essentially toxic, has also been employed to relieve symptoms of hangover, as have Agathosma spp. (buchu). Rubric “Hatred, has bitter feelings for slight offences” - Ang. “Its sweet-scented leaves conjure up the memory of a lost love for whom Citrus aurantium leaves will, deep down, ever be nostalgic; its bitter little fruits are like the image of its aborted dreams and the bitter taste left on the lips by its tarnished existence.” (Mailhebiau)

3 Most Rutaceae are extremely bitter to the taste, with Angustura and Ruta perhaps as the most bitter of all. The latter is sometimes used in church to sprinkle holy water, and in Hebrew tradition is associated with repentance. Mentioned by Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet as the “herb of grace”, rue is part of the expression “to rue it”, meaning to repent and hence to have grace. A folktale relates that the Buddha had cursed the citron for its bitterness but immediately regretted his hasty words and so transformed the fruit, which has stubby protuberances somewhat resembling fingers, into the shape of his hand, symbolising protection. (Rubric “Anger alternating with quick repentance” - Ruta.) Many traditional English folk songs use rue to symbolise regret. Often it is paired with thyme - thyme used to symbolise virginity, and rue the regret supposed to follow its loss.

4 The answer is a lemon, meaning one is given an unsatisfactory answer or no answer at all, or conversely referring to an appropriate reply to questions considered impertinent or intrusive. However, should life hand us a metaphorical lemon, it has been advised that we should make lemonade, the lemon standing in this instance for optimism and triumph over adversity. Symptom Citrus vulgaris: Motions quick and brusque, performed with uncontrollable zeal.

5 “Squeezing until the pips squeak”, meaning to extract everything possible from a person or situation, is usually connected with citrus fruits, their juice being extracted for culinary use.

6 Chronic venous insufficiency is characterised by pain, leg heaviness, a sensation of swelling, and cramps, and is correlated with varicose veins.

7 Rutaceae furanocoumarins are stated to reduce the biochemical responsiveness of inflammatory leukocytes, markedly diminishing oedema formation and leukocyte infiltration.

8 Skinner states that Ruta “makes eyes keener and wits more eager”.