Rosemary (Mi Die Xiang)

Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary is an herb with an ancient history as a medicine and culinary herb. It is one of those herbs that has a thousand uses. As a tea it is a wonderful remedy for colds, headaches caused by stress, and lifting depression. It is known for supporting healthy brain function, boosting the immune system and helping to prevent cancer and strengthen liver function.

Watch a short video, from Ann Christensen, Founder and Creator of White Rabbit Institute of Healing™ – Rosemary and Your Brain…

Below is an overview of rosemary, combining the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of rosemary.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Sprig, Flowering Top, Oil

Flavors/Temps: Sweet, Acrid, Slightly Bitter, Warm, Astringent

Caution: Considered very safe, though extremely high doses have been known to cause kidney dysfunction and some people have had allergic reactions to rosemary oil. Rosemary oil is not recommended during pregnancy.

Key Constituents: Very high in B-complex vitamins, including high levels of Folates, Vitamin A, C, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Magnesium, Volatile oils (including: Camphene, Cineol, Borneol, and Bornyl acetate), Diterpenes, Phytochemicals (including Rosmarinic acid, Camphor, Caffeic acid, Betulinic acid, Carnosic acid, Ursolic acid, and Carnosol)

History/Folklore:  Rosemary has been used since ancient times as a culinary herb and a medicine. It is famous for treating almost every kind of ailment, but is especially known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and mood and memory enhancing properties. Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia rosmarinus are two names for the same plant.

It is an excellent herb for supporting heart health. It can both lower and increase blood pressure, reduce stress that can lead to heart attacks, and improve circulation.

Rosemary oil is used externally as a rubefacient to soothe painful gout, rheumatism, and neuralgic conditions. Applied to the scalp, it is used to stimulate hair growth, prevent premature baldness, and prevent dandruff.

The rosmarinic acid, found in rosemary is a polyphenolic antioxidant that gives the leaves their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties

Rosemary has been shown to increase the shelf life and heat stability of omega-3 oils which can be prone to becoming rancid.

Rosemary oil is often used in bodily perfumes, shampoos, cleaning products and as an incense. The oil that is distilled from the flowering tops is considered superior to oil made from the leaves and stems. It contains 15-20% camphor. Pregnant women should avoid using large amounts or concentrations as it can be harmful (cooking with fresh rosemary is fine).

Rosemary was considered sacred to the Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks. Christian folklore claims that the plants can live to be thirty-three years old, the same age as Jesus when he was crucified. It was often used to decorate homes and Churches.

The herb was already famous for improving memory in the Middle Ages, and was therefore used to help lovers not forget each other, often being included in wedding ceremonies for this purpose. It was a charm for enduring love. The bride would wear a wreath of rosemary around her head and the groom and guests would all wear a sprig of the fresh herb as well. Rosemary has also been used as a symbol of remembrance during war commemorations and at funerals, with a sprig being tossed into the graves as a sign that the deceased would not be forgotten. This tradition dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt when the herb was buried with the pharaohs.

Some say a sprig of rosemary kept in the back of drawers will help deter mice and rats. Rosemary is also used to ward off mosquitoes.

Rosemary has been burned as incense in sacred ceremonies and to help clear and clean sick rooms. In French hospitals it was common to burn rosemary and juniper berries to purify the air and prevent infection.

Rosemary has been smoked to help calm asthma, coughs, and other throat and lung infections. It has long been believed to banish evil spirits.

Rosemary water is said to have been first used by the Queen of Hungary “to renovate vitality of paralyzed limbs”. Fresh rosemary tops were also added to wine and used as an external poultice. Rosemary wine taken in small quantities was said to help calm anxiety and strengthen a weak heart subject to palpitations.

Rosemary is popularly used in culinary dishes as an ingredient in stuffings and sauces. It is popular for roasting and used as a seasoning for barbecue dishes. A sprig of rosemary can be placed in olive oil to infuse it with the herbs wonderful fragrance and flavor.

Dried rosemary contains 45% of RDA (recommended daily amount) of calcium, 29% RDA of vitamin C, and 18% RDA of vitamin A. It is also very high in the B-complex vitamins, including high levels of folates, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.

The word “rosemary” derives from the Latin word for “dew” and “sea” (“ros” and “marinus”). Also translated as “dew of the sea.” Rosemary is known to thrive best in climates located by the sea, similar to the Mediterranean region where it originated from.