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Rosemary | | Name : | Rosemary | | Botanical : | Rosmarinus officinalis | | Latin : | Rosmarinus officinalis L. | | Synonyms : | Gardenrosemary
Mi-tieh-hsiang(Chinese name)
Rosemaryplant
| | Family : | Labiatae | | Parts Used : | Leaves and flowers | | Habitat : | Originated in the Mediterranean are and is now widely cultivatedfor its aromatic leaves and as a kitchen seasoning. | | Picture : |  | | Description : | The evergreen leaves of this shrubby herb are about 1 inch long, linear, revolute, dark green above and paler and glandular beneath, with an odour pungently aromatic and somewhat camphoraceous. The flowers are small and pale blue. Much of the active volatile principle resides in their calyces. There are silver and goldstriped varieties, but the green-leaved variety is the kind used medicinally. | | Constituents : | The plant contains some tannic acid, together with a resin and a bitter principle and a volatile oil. The chief constituents of the oil are Borneol, bornyl acetate and other esters, a special camphor similar to that possessed by the myrtle, cineol, pinene and camphene. It is colourless, with the odour of Rosemary and a warm camphoraceous taste. The chief adulterants of oil of Rosemary are oil of turpentine and petroleum. Rosemary yields its virtues partly to water and entirely to rectified spirits of wine.
From 100 lb. of the flowering tops, 8 OZ. of the oil are usually obtained. | | Uses : | Tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, stimulant. Oil of Rosemary has the carminative properties of other volatile oils and is an excellent stomachic and nervine, curing many cases of headache.
It is employed principally, externally, as spiritus Rosmarini, in hair-lotions, for its odour and effect in stimulating the hair-bulbs to renewed activity and preventing premature baldness. An infusion of the dried plant (both leaves and flowers) combined with borax and used when cold, makes one of the best hairwashes known. It forms an effectual remedy for the prevention of scurf and dandruff.
The oil is also used externally as a rubefacient and is added to liniments as a fragrant stimulant. Hungary water, for outward application to renovate the vitality of paralysed limbs, was first invented for a Queen of Hungary, who was said to have been completely cured by its continued use. It was prepared by putting 1 1/2 lb. of fresh Rosemary tops in full flower into 1 gallon of spirits of wine, this was allowed to stand for four days and then distilled. Hungary water was also considered very efficacious against gout in the hands and feet, being rubbed into them vigorously.
A formula dated 1235, said to be in the handwriting of Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary, is said to be preserved in Vienna.
Rosemary Wine when taken in small quantities acts as a quieting cordial to a weak heart subject to palpitation, and relieves accompanying dropsy by stimulating the kidneys. It is made by chopping up sprigs of green Rosemary and pouring on them white wine, which is strained off after a few days and is then ready for use. By stimulating the brain and nervous system, it is a good remedy for headaches caused by feeble circulation.
The young tops, leaves and flowers can be made into an infusion, called Rosemary Tea, which, taken warm, is a good remedy for removing headache, colic, colds and nervous diseases, care being taken to prevent the escape of steam during its preparation. It will relieve nervous depression. A conserve, made by beating up the freshly gathered tops with three times their weight of sugar, is said to have the same effect.
A spirit of Rosemary may be used, in doses of 30 drops in water or on sugar, as an antispasmodic.
Rosemary and Coltsfoot leaves are considered good when rubbed together and smoked for asthma and other affections of the throat and lungs.
Rosemary is also one of the ingredients used in the preparation of Eau-de-Cologne. | | Dosage : | Infusion: steep 1 tsp. dried flowering tops or leaves in 1/2cup water. Take up to 1 cup per day.
Tea: prepare ordinary tea, put a pinch of ground ginger inthe drink for variety. Drink 3 or 4 cups per day.
Tincture: a dose is from 5 to 20 drops. | | Safety : | Excessive amounts of rosemary taken internally can cause fatal poisoning.
Rosemary oil may not be taken internally, because it irritates thestomach, intestinal tract, and kidneys.
Pregnant women should not drink rosemary tea. | | Myths : | In the sixth century Charlemagne decreed that rosemary should begrown in all the imperial gardens, and it was beloved by the Romanslong before that. Romans made crowns and garlands of Rosemary. Centurieslater, Anne of Cleves, bride of King Henry VIII, 'wore on her heada circlet of gold and precious stones set full with dainty twigs ofRosemary.'
In Queen Elizabeth's time, this herb was considered an emblem offidelity to lovers and was worn at weddings, funerals, and to giveto friends.
They were used in sick rooms to 'correct the air' when infectionswere present. The dried leaves were shredded and used in a pipe liketobacco to help a cough. Used in herbal or tobacco mixtures in England,where smoking was first introduced by Sir Walter Raleigh. The ashesof burnt Rosemary was rubbed on loose teeth to fasten and beautify.
Rosemary's name is derived from its Latin name Rosmarinus, meaning'dew of the sea' and referring to its blue flowers or to the factthat this herb thrives by the seashore, especially in Spain whereits thick growth covers the cliffs.
To explain the range in the color of rosemary's flowers from a palebluish-white to a deep blue, Christian legend claims that flowerswere originally white but were turned varying shade of blue when Maryhung her blue cloak over a rosemary bush. Since the rosemary plantseldom grows higher than a man's height, it was believed that rosemarygrew to the height of Christ in 33 years, and after that it grew thickerbut not higher.
13th century manuscript: If the leaves be put beneath your pillow,you will be well protected from troublesome dreams and all mentalanxiety. Used as a lotion, this herb or its oil will cure all painsin the head, and a spoonful of the herb mixed with honey and meltedbutter cannot but help your coughing.
Rosemary was taken by the Roman Empire to China during the reignof Wenti of the Wei dynasty (452 AD). Valued for its fragrance, itwas used in perfume, and when burned it was supposed to drive awaydemons and mosquitoes.
Through the ages, many legends have been woven about many plants,but probably none as fanciful as those of rosemary. Most of the followinglegends were from sources more than 300 years old:
'Old English belief: where Rosemary flourishes, woman rules.'
'See the Rosemary in vinegar or wine, and let a thief wash his feettherein, and he shall neither rob, steale, nor fright any man.'
'Lay Rosemary on thy pillow, to keepe thee from all evill dreams.'
'To be delivered from all evills, boyle the leaves of Rosemary instrong vinegar and apply them to thy stomach.' | | Sold : | Sold commercially as a spice. |
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