Rue - the herb of grace 芸香開花了

In European folklore, this herb had been believed to have a special power. Rue was used as brushes to sprinkle the holy water. People planted rue outside of the doorway to prevent the invasion of evil things and get blessings into their houses.  

In China, dried rue was put into books to prevent bookworm. 

浙江寧波有一棟馳名中外的藏書樓天一閣。就是一位明朝兵部侍郎致仕回鄉後修建的。天一閣用芸香防蠹害下來, 到現在還保存著許多珍貴書畫。