ROSEMARY
(rosmarinus officnalis)
Thousands of years before refridgeration, ancient people noticed that wrapping meats in crushed rosemary leaves preserved them and imparted a fresh fragrance and pleasing flavour. To this day, the herb remains a favourite in meat dishes. The ancients used rosemary as they used all aromatic preservative herbs - for head, respitory and gastronintenstinal problems. Traditional Chinese physicians mixed it with ginger as a treatment for headache, indigestion, insomnia and malaria. Contempory herbalists say that rosemary stimulates the circulatory, digestive and nervous systems. They recommend it for headache, indigestion and depressions, and as a gargle for bad breath. They also advocate its external use for muscle aches and in baths for relaxation.
	The plant is noted for its fragrance, and is a source of Rosmarol, an extract from the leaves, has shown remarkably high antioxidant activity, used extensively in modern medicine. Rosemary makes a classic bitter tonic, strengthening the digestion and improving liver function, making it ideal for long-term improvement of digestion dysfunction. Take a small glass of rosemary wine as an apertif about 1/2 hour before meals so the digestive system is primed and ready for the work to come.
Rosemary is also a circulatory tonic, invaluable for all cases of poor circulation and aches and pains that come with the cold. Long-term use of rosemary tea will improve poor circulation. The infused oil is used for massage of cold joints and aching muscles. It can also strengthen the heart and calm palpitations. An infusion can also be used internally for the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, gastric disorders, to reduce low fevers, soothe a sore throat, to relieve flatulence, nausea, menstrual pain, and insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be used for sore throats, and bronchial catarrh (inflammation of the mucus membrane, causing an increased flow of mucus). Can be used as a menstrual promoter but should not be used by pregnant women since in excess it can cause an abortion. Rosemary has a particular application to the head. Combine with chamamile for headaches, cardamon for depression and used by itself is good for scalp conditioning. It strengthens hair growth and helps prevent premature baldness. For a dry scalp, rub rosemary infused oil well in and leave for 30 minutes before washing out with a gentle shampoo. For weak hair, make a rosemary vinegar and add 2 dessert spoons to the final rinse. Rosemary is said to repel insects from neighboring plants as well as branches or sachets of the leaves placed in clothes cupboards to keep moths away. Rosemary is often grown in graveyards and mourners often carry a sprig to throw on the grave as a symbol of remembrance. Rosemary is known as the remembrace herb, this being more than just a symbol, for it does indeed strengthen the memory by improving the blood flow to the head and stimulating the nervous system, making it ideal for the student.
A BREATHE FRESHENER: The distilled water of rosemary flowers being drunke at morning and evening first and last, taketh away the stench of the mouth and breath, if there be added thereto, to steep or infuse for certaine dais, a few cloves, mace, cinnamon and a little aniseed. John Gerard - The Herball 1597
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