Other names: Old man, dew of the sea, polar plant, compass weed
Flower colour: white, lightly pink - lavender blue, lila
Flowering: July - August
Height: 0.50 - 2 m
Active ingredients: Essential oils, flavonoids, fenolic acids, tricyclic diterpene lactones, triterpene acids, triterpene alcohols, rosmaricine, tannins
Used parts: The leaves, sometimes the flowering tops.
In ancient times, rosemary was used in asia for religious ceremonies and for funeral rites. They also planted it on graves, to allow the dead to pass on their knowlegde and wisdom to the living. The ancient Greeks and Romans also highly valued this plant. According to them, rosemary is sacred and it would protect against evil spirits. The Greeks used it to improve the memory and mind. Students put sprigs of rosemary in their hair when they had to study, because of the positive effect on the mind. Hence, the plant became a symbol of the memory. Rosemary was also said to protect against the Black Death and there is a story that tells about thieves who stole stuff from houses of people who had died of the Black Death. The thieves seemed to be immune and when they got in court, they were granted freedom if they would tell what they did to not get the Black Death. It turned out that they used a herbal vinegar with several herbs, including rosemary. The plant would not only protect against the Black Death, it would also expel other infectious diseases. Hence, rosemary was often burned in hospitals and the rooms of ill people. Still, this is just a small part of the effects of rosemary. The flowers were boiled in water and that was then taken against all kinds of maladies. Furthermore, a linen bag containing the pulverised flowers tied to the right arm, would make sure that you would stay happy and healthy. A decoction of Rosemary leaves in white wine was used to clean the face and as a beauty product. If someone had nightmares, it could work to put rosemary leaves underneath their pillow. Still, that is not everything there is to tell. Rosemary was also known to warm you up and wearing the plant around your neck would prevent getting a cold.
Even now, Rosemary is known to be quite a useful plant. It can be used against cold hands and feet, low blood pressure, hepatitis, headache because of bile and liver disorders, indigestion, flatulence, anorexia and much more. By improving the blood flow, it also improves the growth of hair. Rosemary can also help against fatigue, exhaustion and depression.
For external use, there is a possibility that it makes you more sensitive to sunlight.
ONLY use the essential oils internally if a qualified doctor says that you should do so.
Do NOT use rosemary when you are pregnant. (As a spice is no problem though.)
Do NOT use this plant if you have epilepsy.
Do NOT use Rosmarinus Officinalis if you have an inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucous membrane.
Do NOT use this plant if you use medicines that lower the blood pressure (antihypertensives).
Do NOT use this plant if you use medicines against a low blood pressure.
Do NOT use this plant if you use cardiac glycosides or anti arrhythmics.
Do NOT use this plant if you use doxorubicin.
Consult a qualified doctor before using this plant if you use diuretics.
Consult a qualified doctor before using this plant if you use theophylline.