There is no end to the folklore about this wonderful herb.

Its name, rosemary, derives from the Latin, ros, meaning dew, and marinus, sea, hence one of its common names - dew of the sea.

Rosemary was burnt at shrines in Ancient Greece to drive away evil spirits and illnesses. It was believed that a fresh twig beneath your pillow will away nightmares, or lay it under your bed for good nights sleep. A necklace made from rosemary preserves your youth and is said that it is also grown to attract elves.

One old legend compares the growth of the plant with the height of the Saviour and declares that after thirty-three years it increases in breadth, but never in height. Sounds a bit like the history of my waistline.

The Ancients were well acquainted with the shrub, which had a reputation for strengthening the memory. On this account it became the emblem of fidelity for lovers.
In early times, Rosemary was freely cultivated in kitchen gardens and came to represent the dominant influence of the house mistress 'Where Rosemary flourished, the woman ruled.'

Rosemary was one of the cordial herbs used to flavour ale and wine. It was also used in Christmas decoration. Both in Spain and Italy, it has been considered a safeguard from witches and evil influences generally. The Sicilians believe that young fairies, taking the form of snakes, lie amongst the branches.

Rosemary was introduced to the Alps in the middle ages and became part of many folk customs. People burned rosemary and inhaled the smoke to ward off sickness. Broken sprigs of rosemary were used for baptisms, funerals and marriages