Rosemary: Dew of the Sea
The Folkore Cultivation and Uses of this Evergreen Herb
Learn about the history of the herb Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), its magical properties, how to grow it, and how to use it as a culinary and medicinal herb.
Overview
For many gardeners and garden lovers alike, there is no greater pleasure than strolling through the garden and brushing against the fragrant, evergreen leaves of the rosemary plant. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has long been a perennial darling of the garden not only for its rich, pine-scented foliage but also for its great usefulness as a culinary and medicinal herb. Also adding to its attractiveness are is the fact that rosemary can be grown just about anywhere, from the windswept, salty seaside to the humid southern states. Rosemary can survive temperatures that dip below freezing, provided it is offered a little mulch around its roots. In the springtime, rosemary dazzles with a proliferation of small purple, blue, or pink flowers that will send bees flocking to your flower beds.
History, Folklore, and Popular Uses
Historically, rosemary has been valued for its supposed memory-enhancing properties and its use as a funereal herb (hence the phrase “Rosemary for remembrance”). In folklore, rosemary is also known as compass weed, elf leaf, guardrobe, polar plant, and, of course, dew of the sea which is the literal meaning of the word “rosemary.” In the past, rosemary has been credited with driving away nightmares when placed near or in the bed, attracting love when worn as a sachet or oil, and protecting the home from thieves when planted or hung outside the front door or windows. It makes an excellent incense when dried, and can be tossed in the ceremonial fire to purify the area and attract benevolent spirits. Rosemary essential oil makes a refreshing perfume when dabbed on the pulse points, and fresh rosemary sprigs added to a hot bath will invigorate the body and clear the mind. Its present popularity lies in the fact that it's a fabulous addition to dishes containing lamb, chicken, fish, and pork. It also makes an interesting addition to breads, herb butters, and even lemonade! You can clip entire sprigs and add those directly to your cooking project, or you can remove the leaves from the stalk. If you're more adventurous, a rosemary infusion makes a great rinse for greasy hair, and tea made from dried rosemary contains impressive amounts of vitamin c and iron and is said to relieve migraines and stimulate menstruation.
Cultivation
If you're convinced that rosemary is a plant you'd love to grow, you're in luck! As one of the more popular herbs, rosemary is fairly easy to come by from almost any garden center. Another option is to find a friend with a rosemary plant and take a four inch long cutting. Remove the upper and lower leaves and put the cutting in a mixture of sandy soil and peat moss. The cutting should root itself, thus producing a new rosemary plant. One of the only drawbacks to rosemary is that it is nearly impossible to start from seed, as it is slow to germinate and often produces plants that are inferior to the parent plant. When positioning your rosemary, keep in mind that it adores full sun and well-drained soil. Over watering your rosemary will result in fungus infections. While rosemary plants can reach heights of up to six feet, rosemary is an extremely versatile herb, and, given proper care and pruning, will be just as happy in a container on your balcony as it will be crowning the center of a large garden. Simply plant, care for, and enjoy your rosemary bush—a major “do” for any gardener.
