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Folklore
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
Current medicinal uses
Rosemary is well-known as an all round tonic and energizer.
The herb has many reputed health benefits, and is has been used by herbologists to treat pain, headaches, nerve conditions, dizziness and stomach problems.
It has also been used with St. John's Wort and Ginkgo to improve cognitive impairment, visual and speech difficulties associated with brain inflammation, and with Gotu Kola for ADD and ADHD.
It contains chemicals called quinones which have been shown to inhibit carcenogens. Others claim that it improves memory, relieves muscle pain, and stimulates the circulatory and nervous systems
Rosemary has been used to treat mild spasms, wounds, eczema,muscle pain,sciatica, rheumatism and depression as well as parasites.
Rosemary oil is reputedly of use in the latter stages of a bruise (once the bruise has turned a green or yellowish colour). It aids in dispersing the bruising by stimulating local circulation, draining away the old blood that was released into the surrounding tissues by the original blow.
Throwing sprigs of Rosemary on the barbeque has a beneficial health benefit in reducing carcinogenic substances formed by wood burning. Check out this article by Jennifer Viegas on the ABC website
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Precautions and side effects (refer also to statements below)
People with sensitive skin can suffer contact dermatitis from cosmetics scented with rosemary oils, or from prolonged handling of the plant.
The essential oil distilled from Rosemary (not the cooking oil), is poisonous in strong doses and must not be taken internally.