Salvia rosmarinus
Download info sheetFrom Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “there’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance – pray, love, remember.”
A member of the Lamiaceae family, it used to be named Rosmarinus officinalis; Rosemarinus is from the Latin ros – dew and marinus – of the sea, and is a native to the rocky shores of the Mediterranean. This is a very well known garden plant, which has many uses.
Most people can identify rosemary, as it is both a very common garden plant and a flavoursome culinary ingredient.
There are two main forms; upright; a very dense bushy evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3 metres tall, though more usually 1-1.5m, or the prostrate form; that can trail over the wall. The foliage on both is dark green, with a white underside, and are very aromatic (there are variegated forms, which do not have as vigorous growth). The flowers are usually a bright violet blue, though there are varieties from white, pink, and pale blue. It grows best in sunny well-drained soils preferring an alkaline pH. This is a plant that is easy to grow from cuttings also from seeds, and is very hardy to drought and frost.
The character of Rosemary is described as warm, dry, pungent,
and bitter. Its main constituents (plant chemicals) are volatile oils, bitters, tannins, flavonoids, resins, and phenolic acids. Contains also; vitamins A and C and minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc.
Therapeutic actions (what all those chemicals can do!): Anti microbial, spasmolytic (relieves spasms), stimulant to the nervous and circulatory systems, rubefacient (stimulates blood flow), carminative (relieves wind), a mild analgesic (pain relief) and a general tonic.
So Rosemary is good for treating the heart and circulation, for respiratory conditions, for digestive problems – especially indigestion. A wonderful tonic for the brain, to help memory and concentration, relieve headaches, depression and is a tonic for the nervous system.
If you are studying, drink rosemary tea or crush a sprig of rosemary and inhale the fragrance.
If travelling long distances by car, put a sprig over the air conditioning vent and the volatile oils which are released, can help keep you alert.
Rosemary is also a muscle relaxant—that is a bit of a paradox; that a plant can be both a relaxant and a stimulant! However, it does work this way; beware if you have aching muscles and use Rosemary at bedtime, you will probably be relaxed - but wide-awake.
Rosemary can be used topically for nerve and muscle pain and spasms and
is used as a hair rinse for scalp conditions such as dandruff, and is said to
help with baldness.
Folklore & Mysticism:
Folk names for rosemary include; compass weed, polar plant, sea dew, elf leaf, and incenseir; Gender; masculine; Ruling planet; the sun; Ruling element; fire; Powers; protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth.
Rosemary is one of the oldest known incenses and has an ancient tradition to be burnt to purify and clear negative energy and can be used as a substitute for Frankincense.
Used in the bath it purifies, and placed under the bed is said to protect the sleeper from harm, ensuring a good night sleep and keeps nightmares away. If hung over the door and doorposts it is supposed to keeps thieves away—a herb with much folklore—there must be some essence of truth! Rosemary is traditionally used in the floral arrangements for both weddings and funerals and with the medieval symbolism of the Christian church; Rosemary was the symbol of the Nativity of Christ and was used accordingly in celebration of this. To use a comb made of Rosemary wood was also thought to cure baldness; though a more usual use for the wood has been for making lutes.
Culinary: Rosemary is one of the most well known culinary herbs. Traditionally used when roasting lamb and an essential ingredient to have for Mediterranean and Italian style cooking.
When making bread, pizza bases, or scones try adding a tablespoon of chopped Rosemary, not forgetting focaccia. Use also in stews, dips, preserves and marinades.
Add the fresh flowers to salads, or they can be crystallized and used as a decoration cakes and desserts.
Recipes from ‘A Herb Cookbook’ by Gilian Painter, ‘Aunt Daisy’ & elsewhere…can be accessed by downloading the pdf file.
Prepared for the Herb Federation of New Zealand’s Herb Awareness Month 2023 www.herbs.org.nz
References: https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Rosmarinus+officinalis , G. Painter & C. Fisher, ‘Materia Medica For The Southern Hemisphere’.
Advisory Note: This text is given as a general guidance. If any adverse reactions occur or symptoms persist, please contact a qualified medical herbalist or medical doctor immediately.