Rosemary

The name ROSEMARY derives from the Latin name Rosmarinus officalis, where “ros” stands for dew and “marinis” for sea. The derivation is probably due to the fact that rosemary’s bush resides in North Africa and the Mediterranean, and according to the old legend, you can find it wherever you can hear the sound of the sea.

Rosemary’s history is one spreading across thousands of years, several myths and different civilisations. Its mythical and healing forces captivated ancient Greeks and Romans; they planted its bushes in their gardens, believing it will only grow in the garden of the righteous and protect you from evil spirits.

In the Middle Ages rosemary was sprinkled across the floor at midnight on Christmas, and people would walk over it to fill the space with its smell. They believed it would bring them health and happiness in the following year.

Rosemary is present throughout the entire European history as a cleansing and healing agent. It stimulates blood flow and strengthens blood vessels, all in relation with memory and the heart, and consequently with love to yourself and others.

Gervase Markham (1568–1637), English writer and poet, included rosemary in his most famous work “The English Huswife” (1615). In it, her wrote: “Rosemary water (the face washed therein both morning and night) causeth a fair and clear countenance /…/ /…/ when one maketh a bath of this decoction, it is called the bath of life; the same drunk comforteth the heart, the brain and the whole body; and cleanseth away the spots of the face; it maketh a man look young, /…/”

Others have sung graces to the healing properties of this herb, for example, Shakespeare’s Ophelia calls on Hamlet to remember by alerting him to it. In addition to its stimulative effects on the brain, people have looked to rosemary for maintaining natural warmth, regenerating bodily functions, cleansing the body, spirit, and physical space, to conserve food.

Even the “wise” European leaders abide by it and its power of love, loyalty, and memory. Nowadays the brides still wear a spring of rosemary in their hair, and according to a French legend, a man who does not like the smell of rosemary is a bad lover. Empress Joséphine supposedly asked Napoleon to wash himself in rosemary water before entering her bedroom, which could explain his compulsive need to be surrounded by this fragrance.

The world of natural healing reserves an important spot for rosemary as well. A healing tea made of rosemary leaves is used to ease digestive problems, stimulate urine secretion, eliminate muscle cramps, gas, bloating, ease muscle and joint pain, poor circulation, improve the liver function and boost the immune system.

Not many concoctions have the same effect on the body and spirit as this plant. In addition to giving off powerful vibrations and cleansing fumes, a massage with rosemary oil improves circulation, eases pain, and warms the limbs. It has an antifungal and antibacterial effect and is used as a natural remedy against many skin diseases and irregularities, such as dry skin, redness, psoriasis, freckles, acne, dermatitis, eczema, and mild burns.

Antioxidants prevent cell damage and increase their immunity, and therefore help with skin ageing. Rosemary is a rich source of iron, calcium, and vitamin B6, which supports a healthy level of collagen and manganese – a mineral that helps reduce wrinkles and protect the skin from damage.

Besides its beneficial use on the skin, it also improves the well-being of the scalp by moisturising it and thus increasing circulation. It regulates its natural state, prevents and cures dandruff, helps reduce split ends, stimulates hair growth and prevents baldness.

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