Rosemary Cut & Sifted Herb (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Rosemary Cut & Sifted Herb (Rosmarinus Officinalis) HERB COMMON NAME :  Rosemary HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Rosmarinus Officinalis OTHER NAMES :  Dew of the Sea, Elf Leaf, Old Man FAMILY :  Lamiaceae ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES : Element: Fire Planet: Sun Day: Thursday Direction: South Zodiac Sign: Leo Chakra: 1st Root Chakra (Muladhara) Energy: Yang Gender: Masculine Rune: Dagaz, Jera Tarot Card: The Magician, The Devil Spirit Animal: Ram Sabbat or Holiday: Beltane / Walpurgis / May Day (April 30 – May 1) ; Mabon / the Autumn Equinox (btw. September 21-24) ; Yule / the Winter Solstice (December 21 – January 1) ; St. Agnes’ Eve (January 20) Deity or God / Goddess Association: Aphrodite, Venus, Hebe, the Virgin Mary   Parts Used:  Leaf Description:  The name rosemary derives from ros and marinus, Latin for “dew” and “sea” respectively, or collectively “dew of the sea”.  Rosemary is a small shrub-like plant in the mint family that is native to the Mediterranean and now widely cultivated in temperate regions throughout the world. The pine-like leaves of the herb are highly fragrant due to the presence of carnosol, rosmarinic acid and other active compounds. Because these compounds are such potent antioxidants, the oleoresin extract of rosemary is used as a preservative to prevent rancidity. Thousands of years before refrigeration, ancient people noticed that wrapping meats in crushed rosemary leaves preserved them and imparted a fresh fragrance and pleasing flavor. To this day, the herb remains a favorite in meat dishes. The dried leaf is a popular culinary herb used to flavor roasted meats, vegetables, soups, sauces and breads. Rosemary was believed to offer protection from the plague. In 1603, when bubonic plague killed 38,000 Londoners, the demand was so high that the price increased from 1 shilling for an armful of branches to 6 shillings for just a handful. By comparison, at that time, 18 gallons of good ale or double beer with carriage was only 3 shillings and an entire fat pig was only 1 shilling. Rosemary was grown in monastery gardens throughout Europe and became an ingredient in medicinal liqueurs like Chartreuse. An infusion of the leaves in white wine was a treatment for coughs, and it was also an ingredient, along with myrtle and lavender, in the original Queen of Hungary water, which was created as a medicinal rub for paralysis (infused in equal parts of brandy). For allergies, rosemary has mucolytic properties, which means that it helps to alleviate congestion. Rosemary is an excellent tonic for the elderly as it will stimulate the appetite and tonify the circulatory and nervous systems. Rosemary has specific use for depressive states with debility. A rosemary tea is made for headaches. Rosemary applied externally and as a hair rinse adds shine to dark hair and soothes itchy scalp. Rosemary is vitamin rich, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and is by far one of the most popular and effective herbs for scalp health and hair loss. A recent study has found that rosemary can be used to improve retention and recall facts. Rosemary oil is good for increasing circulation and relieving aches and pains. Historical Uses:  nightmares, allergies, congestion, nervous system relaxant, sedative, anti-depressant, mild analgesic (topically), antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, inflammation, astringent, diaphoretic, rubefacient,  capillary tonic, circulatory stimulant, circulation, cardiotonic, carminative, choleretic, hepatoprotector, emmenagogue, diuretic, antispasmodic, hair loss, mental clarity, improve memory, improve vision, muscle spasm, appetite stimulant, circulation, depression, itching, alopecia, hair loss, memory, mild pain Mystical Attributes:  The word Rosmarinus is from the Latin meaning “dew of the sea”. Christian folklore says that rosemary will grow for 33 years, until it reaches the height Christ was when he died, and then it will grow no more. Apparently, Rosemary’s flowers picked up their blue color and acquired their fragrance when Mary spread her blue cloak over a rosemary bush to dry while they were on their way fleeing to Egypt. Rosemary was used to ward off evil spirits and nightmares. Place rosemary under your pillow to help you to remember your dreams and to keep away nightmares and other unwanted nighttime visitations. Pair with lavender to promote peaceful sleeping. Carrying a twig protects from the evil eye. It can also be burned with sage to fumigate a ritual area or to drive negativity away from any space, object or person. As the centuries passed, the herb was incorporated into wedding ceremonies as a symbol of spousal fidelity. Rosemary branches were often woven into wreaths worn by brides at weddings and decorated rosemary branches were presented as gifts to wedding guests. Anne of Cleves (1515 – 1557), Henry the Eighth’s 4th wife, wore a rosemary wreath at their wedding. Rosemary may be used in handfasting ceremonies in a variety of ways. It can be carried or worn by the bride and/or groom to symbolize love and loyalty and it may also be gifted to guests for the same purpose. If a bride and groom plant a rosemary plant together on their wedding day, they can watch it as it grows to divine the family’s fortune. Rosemary can be used in spells for fidelity and remembrance as well as to dispel jealousy. To ensure a faithful husband, married women would keep a sachet of rosemary near the entrance of their homes. During the Middle Ages, rosemary’s association with weddings evolved into its use as a love charm. If a young person tapped another with a rosemary twig containing an open blossom, the couple would supposedly fall in love. If you haven’t chosen a mate yet and have several to think about, name a pot for each one and plant rosemary in each pot. The one that grows the fastest and strongest is your best choice. If you don’t have any options, make a poppet of yourself and stuff it with rosemary to attract a lover to you. Rosemary and thyme were used on St. Agnes’ Eve, an evening and day that honors St. Agnes, the patron saint of virgins and young girls. St. Agnes’ Eve is celebrated on January 20th and 21st. Some rituals practiced on St. Agnes’ Eve were to aid young girls in discovering their future husbands, a superstition that was the main theme of John Keat’s poem, The Eve of Saint Agnes. Rosemary is incorporated into funerals to help survivors to remember the dead. In Hamlet, Ophelia gives Hamlet a sprig, saying, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember.” In Wales, Rosemary was distributed to funeral guests to throw into the hole as the coffin was lowered. Rosemary was also given as a gift for New Year’s Day, along with an orange, stuck with cloves and it was used with holly and mistletoe to decorate for Yule. An old saying says “Where Rosemary flourishes, the Woman rules”, and in England it was believed that rosemary could not grow in the garden of the home unless the mistress was the master. Men were known to rip out rosemary plants as evidence that they, not their wives, ruled the roost. In France, Rosemary was burnt, along with Juniper berries in sick rooms and hospitals to purify the air. Burn rosemary and juniper together to aid with healing, and to fumigate a home where there has been a long illness to drive out the negativity associated with disease. During the Middle Ages, it was hung around the neck to protect from the plague. In some traditions, rosemary is thought to be able to summon elves and faeries.  It is believed that the twigs hung over cradles prevents faeries from stealing infants. A man who is indifferent to the fragrance of rosemary is unable to give true love to a woman. Those who smell rosemary frequently will retain their youth. Bancke, in his work Herball from 1525, recommended that smelling rosemary regularly would “keep thee youngly.” In the 14th century, rosemary root was “seethed in wine vinegar” and the lotion was then used to wash the feet of a thief. The lotion was thought to sap the strength of the robber so that he would no longer commit robbery, steal or do any further harm. Rosemary is useful for ritual baths, and for making sacred herbal water for ritual cleansing, blessing and purification. Rosemary’s ability to preserve meats led to the belief that it helped preserve memory. Greek scholars wore rosemary garlands to assist their recall. They were known to twine rosemary in their hair when studying for exams in the hope of aiding their memories. Bathing in rosemary will enhance your memory and will make you more memorable to those you meet throughout the day. Wear Rosemary oil on those occasions that you want to make a lasting impression. Use rosemary in spells to enhance memory, including those spells for success in school. Use rosemary when dealing with difficult people.  It fosters empathy and goodwill. Burn rosemary as an incense when you are meditating or doing dream work to remember your past lives. Dry some sprigs of rosemary for a few days and then tie them in a bundle to make a European smudge stick. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, rosemary is used for asperging and to dress icons. The French believed that combing their hair once a day with a rosemary wood comb would prevent giddiness. Mystical Intentions:  protection from evil spirits, protection from nightmares, weddings, marriage, newlyweds, love, loyalty, funeral and burial rites, protection from illness, fairy magic, protection of children, youth, eternal life, true love, faithfulness, fidelity, jealousy, cleansing, blessing, purification, fumigation, mental abilities, memory, meditation, dream work, past life, education, finding a lover, attraction, protection from negative energy, dream magic, protection from thieves, smudge, empathy, elf magic, fairy magic, companionship, dating, learning problems, loss of a loved one, relationships Other Uses: The oleoresin extract of rosemary is used as a preservative to prevent rancidity in other oils and in cosmetic preparations. The dried leaf is a popular culinary herb used to flavor roasted meats, vegetables, soups, sauces and breads.   Taste & Smell:  The pine-like leaves of the herb are highly fragrant. Rosemary has a strong, clear, fresh, penetrating, camphor-like, green, woody, herbaceous aroma and flavor. Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a woody, perennial herb of the mint family Lamiaceae. Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with leaves similar in appearance to hemlock needles. The plant can grow in forms that range from upright to trailing. When upright, rosemary grows 36-48 inches, but can reach 5 feet (1.5 m) in height, or more rarely up to 6 or 7 feet (2m). It is hardy down to 0°F/-18°C but can be grown through a zone 6 winter if it is mulched and doesn’t get too wet. Rosemary’s leaves are evergreen, and measure 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) in length and just 2–5 mm broad. The leaves have green topsides and are white below; they have short, dense, woolly hair. In temperate climates, rosemary flowers during spring and summer, however in warm climates rosemary can bloom continuously. Rosemary flowers can be white, pink, purple, or deep blue. Rosemary flowers in April and May, and sometimes again in August. Rosemary is used as an ornamental plant in sunny gardens and for landscaping that requires little or no irrigation, especially Mediterranean climates. It is easily grown, considered pest-resistant and it is even reasonably hardy in cool climates. Rosemary can withstand droughts, and can survive a severe lack of water for lengthy periods. Rosemary grows best on friable loam soil with good drainage. Barely cover seeds to germinate in 2-3 weeks at room temperature. Typical germination rates for rosemary seeds are 30-50%. The seeds don’t live a long time, so plant them within a few months of buying them. Sow in spring and set out as transplants to full sun in spacing of 8-24″ in warm, dry soil, preferably on the limey side or having some rocks. Rosemary can be propagated from an existing plant by clipping a shoot from a soft new growth. The clipping should be approximately 4 to 6 inches and should have a few leaves stripped from the bottom then can be planted directly into soil. Rosemary can also be grown by seed, but germination is slow. Rosemary leaves can be harvested in the spring or summer and used fresh. They can also be dried for later use. Store dried rosemary in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Contraindications & Toxicity: Avoid use if pregnant or nursing. May inhibit iron absorption (avoid taking with meals and supplements).   Constituents: Volatile oil (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool, isobutyl acetate, 3-octanone, terpineol, verbenol, etc.) Flavonoids (apigenin, diosmin, diosmin, etc.) Rosmarininc acid and other phenolic acids Terpenoids (carnasol, oleanolic & ursolic acid)     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. 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