Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Commonly used names-herb of remembrance.
Description- a woody, perennial herb
with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or
blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint
family Lamiaceae, which includes many other herbs. The name "rosemary"
derives from the Latin for "dew" (ros) and "sea" (marinus), or "dew
of the sea". The plant is also sometimes called anthos, from the ancient Greek word
ἄνθος, meaning "flower".Rosemary has a fibrous root system.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) tea-
- Traditionally used for-
- increases of blood circulation
- used to reduce fevers
- stimulates the liver
- stimulates digestion
- Rosemary supports and
- strengthens blood vessels
- stimulates the memory for
- relief of headaches
- Contains anti oxidants
- anti inflammatory
- Contains Vitamin E
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Essential Oil.
Rosemary oil comes from the flowers of Rosmarinus officinalis plants.
It has an antiseptic,stimulating and
analgesic effect.
Rosemary oil is one of the most popular
essential oils.
It has become important to us due to
its various health benefits
including its ability to stimulate hair
growth, boost mental activity,
relieve respiratory problems and reduce pain.
Traditional uses- cultural uses and
lore
During Victorian Times, the “Language
of Flowers” meaning for rosemary
was remembrance.
This association dates from ancient
times when rosemary
was recommended as a remedy for
forgetfulness. In ancient Greece,
it is said that students wore wreaths
of rosemary to energize their minds.
At some Victorian weddings, a bride
would wear a sprig of rosemary to show
that she carried with her loving
memories of her old home to her new one.
In France, the Victorian meaning was
“Your presence revives me,”
perhaps because the strong, sharp smell
seems to stimulate the senses.
During the Middle Ages, rosemary would
be grown in several pots,
each pot named with a potential lover.
The answer would be the plant that grew
the fastest and strongest.
Poppets (cloth dolls) would be stuffed
with rosemary to attract a new lover.
Another folklore tidbit rosemary will
repel nightmares and ensure a good
night's sleep.
____
Rosemary was historically associated
with both death and weddings for
the same reason - remembrance.
The folklore and medicinal uses of
rosemary include such oddities as
protection from plague to a cure for
the common thief.
Rosemary history includes a number of
references to its reputation for
strengthening the memory and as a
symbol for remembrance.
Greek scholars were known to twine
rosemary in their hair when
studying for exams in the hope of
aiding their memories.
According to one old ballad:
“Rosemary is for remembrance
Between us day and night,
Wishing that I may always have
You present in my sight.”
Parkinson (1567-1650), the King's
Botanist to Charles I, mentions that
in countries where rosemary was
well-suited and grows to a large size
that thin boards of rosemary were used
to make lutes and other
instruments, carpenters rules, and a
myriad of other implements.
The French believed that combing their
hair once a day with a
rosemary wood comb would prevent
giddiness.
Rosemary wood was so prized that
unscrupulous merchants would
often use less expensive woods and
simply scent them
with rosemary oil.
Shakespeare's (1564 1616) has a part
in rosemary history.
His Ophelia says in Hamlet,
“There's rosemary, that's for
remembrance. Pray you, love, remember!”
See the new Rosemary Herbal Conditioner and Shampoo in the June Showcase Sale on Facebook:
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