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<i>Ruta</i> L. is a typical genus of the citrus family, <i>Rutaceae Juss</i>. and comprises ca. 40 different species, mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region. <i>Ruta</i> species have long been used in traditional medicines as an abortifacient and emmenagogue and for the treatment of lung diseases and microbial infections. The genus <i>Ruta</i> is rich in essential oils, which predominantly contain aliphatic ketones, e.g., 2-undecanone and 2-nonanone, but lack any significant amounts of terpenes. Three <i>Ruta</i> species, <i>Ruta chalepensis</i> L., <i>Ruta graveolens</i> L., and <i>Ruta montana</i> L., have been extensively studied for the composition of their essential oils and several bioactivities, revealing their potential medicinal and agrochemical applications. This review provides a systematic evaluation and critical appraisal of publications available in the literature on the composition and bioactivities of the essential oils obtained from <i>Ruta</i> species and includes a brief outlook of the potential applications of nanotechnology and chitosan-based products of <i>Ruta</i> essential oils.