Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis

Location
Rosemary can be found in the Wildflower and Desert plots.

Description
Native to Spain, Portugal, and the Western Mediterranean region, this aromatic evergreen shrub can grow three feet high and presents pale blue or violet flowers (Fugh-Berman 2003).

History
Rosemary has been associated with knowledge and memory since antiquity. Said to ward off evil spirits and purify the air of sick chambers, rosemary was used as a symbol of fidelity in wedding bouquets, as a sign of remembrance at funerals, and as incense in religious ceremonies (Grieve 1931). Rosemary also often appeared as decoration for festivals and as an invocation in magic spells. Mrs. Grieve quotes Doctor of Divinity Roger Hacket as saying in his 1607 sermon entitled “A Marriage Present:”

Speaking of the powers of rosemary, it overtoppeth all the flowers in the garden, boasting man's rule. It helpeth the brain, strengtheneth the memorie, and is very medicinable for the head. Another property of the rosemary is, it affects the heart. Let this rosmarinus, this flower of men ensigne of your wisdom, love and loyaltie, be carried not only in your hands, but in your hearts and heads (Grieve 1931).

Rosemary also has a long tradition as a culinary spice and is prized by many cultures for its addition to foods and alcoholic beverages. An excellent preservative for meats, rosemary is also used to flavor spirits such as Benedictine and Goldwasser (Wichtl 1994).

Current medicinal uses
The leaves are used in Chinese, Unani, and Ayurvedic medicine to treat headaches. Modern uses in Germany include use as a digestive aid and topical application to stimulate circulation and treat rheumatic pain (Wichtl 1994). Rosmarinic acid, a chemical compound found in rosemary and many other members of the mint family, has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Foster 2006). Rosemary’s traditional use in memory enhancement was investigated in one study of 144 participants randomized to complete computerized assessments in cubicles containing rosemary or lavender essential oil. Overall memory was enhanced for those exposed to rosemary, but speed of memory was reduced compared with the no odor control group (Moss 2003).

Dr. Jim Duke, ethnobotanist extraordinaire, recommends rosemary for the prevention of Alzheimer’s, cataracts, wrinkles, depression, and as a tasty addition to roasted potatoes and chicken dishes (Duke 1997).

Adverse effects
No adverse effects of consuming rosemary leaves have been reported. Caution should be used when ingesting the essential oil.

References
Duke JA. The Green Pharmacy. St. Martin’s Press, 1997.

Foster S and Johnson R. Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine. National Geographic: Washington, DC, 2006.

Fugh-Berman A. The 5-Minute Herb and Dietary Supplement Consult. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, Baltimore, 2003: 270-271.

Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Tiger Books International, London, 1998 (first published in 1931 by Jonathan Cape Ltd).

Moss M et al. Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. Int J Neurosci. 2003; 113(1): 15-38. (Abstract only)

Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A handbook for practice on a scientific basis. medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers: Stuttgart, 1994.