Rosemary causes remembrance. It smells of nostalgia and tells us to never forget. Crush her leaves between your fingers to listen to your ancestors. Rosemary reminds us of who we are.
Rosmarinus Officinalis
Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen shrub, native to the Mediterranean and Asia. Most people are familiar with her green, fuzzy, needle-like leaves and woody scent. There are a wide variety of rosemarys. Some grow upright, reaching about 4, and even some up to 6 feet high. Some even grow as ground cover. Rosemary produces little flowers that present as white,pink, purple, or blue, depending on the species. Rosemary will flower in the summer, but often bloom out of season. Some will even be in bloom as early as February and as late as December. The shrub varieties have a dense foliage and are often used as topiaries.
Rosemary is a fan of growing on seaside cliffs. The name rosemary derives from the Latin words “ros” and “marinus”, which translates into “dew of the Sea”. Therefore, she likes a lot of sun. Loamy, very well draining soil is what makes her feet happiest.
Given her harsh native habitat, rosemary grows easily and can prove hardy in a myriad of climate zones. Many people find rosemary extremely easy to grow. Rosemary is so easy going, it is considered invasive in more than one area of the world. I, however, manage to kill every rosemary I have ever owned. Rosemary is hardiest in temperate climates, but can be reasonably hardy in the cold. It is also extremely drought resistant. Rosemary can go long periods of time without water. It is also pest-resistant.
While rosemary is very easy to grow, it is not easy to start from seed. The germination rate is poor and the babies grow very slowly. Once they start, however, the plants can live up to 30 years. That’s another reason they make good topiaries.
The best way to propagate rosemary is from fresh cuttings. Strip a few leaves off the bottom of a freshly cut stem and plant it directly in the dirt. I have also propagated rosemary via layering. When planted in the ground rosemary can grow quite large. She also grows very well in pots. Just make sure it gets lots and lots of sun.
As An Herb
Rosemary leaves are commonly used as a spice. You often find it used on meats such as pork, chicken, and turkey. It is a staple on dishes that include lamb. Many people also add it to their stuffings. It is wonderful to use on roasted potatoes, and other vegetables.
While rosemary is an extremely common herb in the kitchen and in the garden she is more than a mere meat seasoning. Outside of the kitchen, rosemary is widely used both medicinally, and ceremonially. Rosemary extract is highly antioxidant. It is a common preservative used in natural body products and recipes. The herb is also an good antimicrobial agent.
Rosemary and us have been a thing for a very long time. The first time we see rosemary mentioned was in a cuneiform tablet dating from around 5000 BC. We know that the Egyptians used it in their elaborate funerary rights. The Greecians also burned rosemary during funeral rights as a symbol of remembrance.
Rosemary’s ability as a plant of remembrance is so strong it was even used as a study aid. Greecians burned it in schools to aid concentration, and retention. More than that, the Egyptians, Hebrews, and Romans also used it to improve memory.
Rosemary arrived in England, most likely due to the Romans in the first century. It was credited to Charlemagne in the 8th century, but that may have been because his affinity for herbs led to it being grown in monasteries. You know, the monks wrote everything down, so Rosemary's presence in England was officially recorded.
Rosemary Essential Oil Info
Rosemary essential oil is commonly used for its aroma in both body and home care. Beyond a wonderful fragrance, however, rosemary essential oil is both stimulating and soothing. It also has powerful antimicrobial and pain relieving properties.
Properties of Rosemary Essential Oil:
Stimulant, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Anti-fungal, Anti-bacterial, Astringent, Disinfectant, Antioxidant, Anti-stress, Cognition-enhancement, Psycho-stimulant, Stimulant, Decongestant, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Detoxifying, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Laxative, Decongestant, Antiseptic, Disinfectant, Antiseptic, Anti-nociceptive.
Immune System:
Rosemary is useful in strengthening the immune system. During seasonal changes she is a necessary ally, especially during cold and flu season.
Integumentary System:
It is very common to find rosemary in shampoos and other hair care products. There’s a good reason for that. Rosemary can stimulate hair growth, slow the graying of hair and condition it. All of this leads to thicker, healthier, shinier hair. It can also soothe inflammation and combat dandruff and other oily build up in the hair. Rosemary also makes an effective skin toner. It conditions and eliminates excess oils, making it a good choice for those with acne. Rosemary is also a wonderful addition to natural insect repellent formulas.
Digestive System
Our ancestors really knew what they were doing when they brought rosemary into the kitchen. Rosemary is a wonder for the digestive system. Its ability to facilitate healthy digestion leads to us absorbing more nutrients from our food. Rosemary will also relieve flatulence, bloating and cramps. Given in the right quantities it will even relieve constipation.
Musculoskeletal System
Rosemary essential oil boosts circulation and has powerful pain relieving properties. It is a wonderful addition to muscle rubs and ointments, decreasing both inflammation and pain while flushing out all of the lactic acid. The pain and swelling for conditions such as arthritis and gout can also be eased with rosemary.
Respiratory System
Rosemary will open you up. It is a wonderful oil to use when your respiratory system is in distress. It can help ease the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, colds, and flu. Its antibacterial, and microbial properties also help to get rid of the infections that cause some of these conditions.
Mind:
Rosemary is the number one oil for remembering and memory work. It is a must while recovering from trauma and grief. Rosemary enhances concentration and alertness, thus improving the retention of information. This plant is a must have during times of study and testing. Not only that, rosemary reduces stress levels and nervous tension. Rosemary is not only a mental booster, it is also a mood booster. It is an uplifting oil that reduces your level of stress hormones. It helps ease fatigue, depression, and grief.
Energetic properties
Rosemary is a cleansing oil. It will banish negativity and protect you from untrustworthy people or things. This is a good herb to work with if you are trying to get in touch with your dreams and your ancestors. This is a good friend to have during times of change. She will give you the confidence and clarity you need to make the changes you know need to happen.
Precautions
May cause skin irritation. Do not use while pregnant or nursing. Avoid use if you have high blood pressure
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Rosemary has long been the herb of memory and remembrance. She is a must have when pursuing dream or past life work. Uplifting, and stimulating, yet also soothing, rosemary will balance extremes in our emotions and moods. She is wonderful to the skin, hair, respiratory, and digestive systems. It’s no wonder we have been using her forever. Remember how long we have worked together. Remember who you are.
