Rosemary for remembering

The rich history of Rosemary is a story covering thousands of years, steeped in the myth and tradition of many a varied civilization. Beginning with the written word as early as the fifth millennium BC, references to Rosemary were found written in cuneiform on stone tablets. Rosemary is considered to be one of the Earth's oldest incenses, it has long been thought to increase circulation and strengthen blood vessels, associating it with memory, remembrance and the heart.

The name Rosemary is derived from the Latin "rosmarinus officinalis"; "ros", meaning dew, and "marinus", meaning sea - most likely stemming from the fact that Rosemary is native to the seaside regions of North Africa and the Mediterranean, hence the ancient legend that Rosemary grows "where one can hear the sea". Other common names include "dew of the sea" (likely a reference to it's shimmering blue flowers that appear in mid-winter), Incensier, Sea Dew, Ros Maris, Rosmarine, Rosemarie, and Guardrobe.

Rosemary captivated the ancient Greeks and Romans with its mystical and healing powers, Hellenistic and Roman gardens almost always contained Rosemary. Garlands of it would be made to wear around necks, or braided into the hair of students to improve their memory during exams. Others would place it in their pillow the night before to enhance memory during sleep.

Brought to Britain with the Roman armies, Rosemary over the centuries spread its influence throughout Europe and eventually into the New World. Dr. Culpepper's "Complete Herbal" was highly regarded in the North American colonies and many of the species that he touted were imported to the New World from England. One of the most flattering descriptions of the benefits of rosemary (rosemary water) was set forth by Dr. Culpepper . . .

"Rosemary water is an admirable cure-all remedy of all kinds of cold, loss of memory, headache, coma. . . It receives and preserves natural heat, restores body function and capabilities, even at late age. There are not that many remedies producing that many good effects." ("Pharmacopeia Londoniensis", Nicholas Culpepper, 1653).

Napoleon also favored rosemary for its qualities of restoring bodily vitality, brain stimulation

and it's antiseptic properties and it has been celebrated in song for it's power over memory for centuries, Simon and Garfunkel in 1966 revitalized an old Elizabethan ballad, "Scarborough Fair". . .

"Are you going to Scarbourough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there, For she once was a true love of mine."

As we discover more about the chemical structure of rosemary and its anti-oxidental properties, we are validating the many applications of rosemary that have been utilized for centuries.

It's Herbal Actions are carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, rubefacient, antimicrobial, emmenagogue, antioxidant, circulatory stimulant and a bitter.

Modern day herbalists work with Rosemary for mental clarity, cloudy thinking, brain fog, and stagnant depression. It can have an affinity to places where there is stagnancy in the mind, emotions, and areas of the body. Rosemary supports the cardiovascular system even down to the small capillaries in the brain, extremities and eyes. This can be beneficial for those who struggle with vasoconstrictive headaches and tense muscles.

Along with Rosemary’s affinity to the brain and memory, it is also an antioxidant that helps decrease oxidative stress and free radicals in the body. This can be useful in cases of diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. Rosemary’s volatile oils, makes this herb a great carminative and bitter, which can help ease pains from gas or bloating, and it's bitter taste can help stimulate the liver, gallbladder, bile production and digestive juices.

Externally, this plant can be worked with to stimulate blood flow to an area that has experienced trauma like a twisted ankle, or pain caused by tension. And for those people who want an herb for hair, this plant stimulates hair follicles and circulation in the scalp. The fresh leaves can be chewed for a breath refresher, or to combat infection in the gums. Dosage and Preparation: -Tincture: 1-2 ml / 3x a day (1:5 in 40% alcohol). - Infusion: 1 oz of dried herb per quart. Put herbs in a jar, pour post boiling water over, cover and let steep for 30 minutes. A recommended dose is 3 cups of tea per day. Contraindications: Avoid using large doses during pregnancy or when trying to conceive, and in cases of vasodilative headaches.