Rosemary

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.

How to take FULL advantage of Rosemary's healing powers...

Rosemary (Mi Die Xiang)

JOIN ME in an exploration of the healing herb, Rosemary (Mi Die Xiang). Dive deep into the benefits and applications of Rosemary, from Eastern and Western perspectives, and so much more!

Western

Western Name: Rosemary

Also Known As: Dew of the Sea, Old Man

Organs/Systems: Brain, Lungs, Liver, Digestion, Immune System

Key Actions: Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Rubefacient, Stimulant, Relaxant, Tonic, Astringent, Diaphoretic, Antifungal, Antiseptic, Anti-aging, Anticancer, Carminative

Medicinal Uses: Colds and flu, infections, gout, rheumatism, baldness, nervous headaches, depression, anemia, lung infections, asthma, sore throat, cough, cough with white or clear phlegm, tuberculosis, chronic anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, stomach aches, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), memory loss, poor focus, heartburn, gout, kidney disease, arthritis, improves mental focus, diabetes, headaches, toothache, gum disease, lowers or increases blood pressure, promotes blood flow, reduces muscle spasms, promotes menses, promotes healing, supports immunity.

Eastern

Pin Yin: Mi Die Xiang

Also Known As: N/A

Meridians: Lung, Liver, Spleen, Heart, Kidney

Key Actions: Moves Blood, Clears Wind Cold, Stops Cough, Clears Damp, Resolves Phlegm, Supports Lungs, Strengthens Spleen, Calms Shen, Tonifies Yang, Builds Qi

Medicinal Uses: Helps promote blood flow, lowers or increase blood pressure, reduces muscle spasms, promotes menses, promotes healing, colds, flu, asthma, sore throat, cough, cough with white or clear phlegm, tuberculosis, improves memory, dementia, Alzheimer’s, improves focus and mental clarity, chronic anxiety, depression, warming, supports immune system.

Basic Habitat / Botany:

Rosemary is an evergreen perennial shrub. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae and is one of 2-4 species in the genus Rosmarinus. It has bushy stems and downy young shoots covered with inch-long, narrow, needle-like aromatic leaves that are dark green on the top and grayish underneath. The plant bears short racemes of small sea-blue, white, or pale pink flowers in early summer. It can grow to be 4-6 feet tall. Some varieties have a trailing or cascading habit.

Rosemary is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region, in particular Portugal. It is now grown worldwide as a major culinary and medicinal herb.

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.

Want Rosemary (Mi Die Xiang)?

Here are some options…

Did you know?

Contains 83% of RDA of Iron

Rosemary is an excellent source of iron, providing 83% of your recommended daily allowance (RDA). Iron helps build hemoglobin in red blood cells increasing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
Facts

Add it at the End

Chefs often add rosemary at the end of cooking to preserve the plant’s aromatic properties. Overcooking evaporates the plant’s essential oils reducing the impact of its fragrance and flavor.
Fun fact!

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil is distilled from the flowering tops of the plant. It is especially known for helping to balance the hormones, heal skin, ease anxiety, and prevent hair loss.

How to use Rosemary (Mi Die Xiang) and take FULL advantage of it's healing powers!

Find out how to safely use this powerful herb and get specific recipes you can make use of immediately. Dive deep into Eastern and Western perspectives about HOW and WHY this herb works. Includes uses, benefits, essential oils, gardening tips, and much, much more.

Disclosure: If you purchase from some links on this web page, we may receive some kind of affiliate commission. However, we only ever mention products we would recommend whether we were being compensated or not. Thank you so much for your support of White Rabbit Institute of Healing!

ATTENTION: All material provided on this website is for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your healthcare professional or physician. Redistribution permitted with attribution. Be Healthy. Be Happy. Be Whole. Be Free.

ATENCIÓN: Todo el material proporcionado en este sitio web es sólo con fines informativos o educativos. No es sustituto del consejo de su profesional de la salud o médico. Esté sano. Sea feliz. Siéntase completo. Sea libre.

Health Break: Detox, Strengthen & Cleanse

Join our next 30-Day “Love Your Liver” Detox Challenge!

A Health Boost and Reset to Balance Body, Mind, & Spirit Using Traditional Chinese Medicine. You'll also recieve our Free Healing Herb Fact Sheets and latest news. Your privacy is guaranteed.

Thank you, you have joined our wait list! We'll let you know when our next 30-Day “Love Your Liver” Detox Challenge is open.

Healing Herb Fact Sheets

Download. Print. Share.

Complete the form below for immediate access to ALL our Herb Fact Sheets.

Thank you for joining us! Please check your email for details on how to access our free Healing Herb Fact Sheets. Be sure to check your spam folder and promotions tab if you have one.

You have Successfully Subscribed!