by Sarah Todd

Created on: December 06, 2008

An ancient Spanish legend claims the Holy Family stopped to rest overnight during a journey, and Mary placed her cloak over a bush covered in white flowers. In the morning the flowers had turned blue, and from that point on the plant was called "Rose of Mary".

Today the "Holy Herb" is universally known as rosemary, a perennial, evergreen shrub capable of growing up to two metres in height. Rosemary plants can also be a creeping or mounding type. Its narrow needle-like leaves are green on top and grey underneath. Depending on the variety the delicate flowers can be blue, pink or white.

The herb's long medicinal history has seen it included in treatments for digestive, respiratory, skin and nervous complaints. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed rosemary improved the memory, and Greek scholars wore garlands of the herb during their studies to improve their memory and boost concentration. This is probably why rosemary has long been considered the herb for remembrance, and it is often planted in cemeteries and around war memorials.

Rosemary became popular in Western and Central Europe during the middle ages, and soon became part of folk customs from all over the region. Branches of rosemary were burned and the smoke inhaled to ward off illness, while broken sprigs were a feature of baptism, wedding and funeral rituals. Rosemary was used to fumigate homes against the plague. People suffering from gout often tied rosemary to their legs in an effort to relieve the pain caused by their condition.

Traditional European medicine included rosemary as an internal treatment for flatulence, as well as for a tonic an appetite stimulant. It was also found to be effective against mild intestinal upsets, headaches, colds and nervous tension. In China and India rosemary leaves were regularly used to treat headaches. Early American historical records indicate the herb was applied to aid digestion and to stimulate the appetite.

Scientists have discovered there is evidence to prove how rosemary does assist our brain's memory and thought processes. Rosemary contains carnosic acid (CA), which helps protect the brain cells from the ravages of free radicals. CA not only protects the brain from the damage caused by stroke and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, it can also reduce the detrimental effects of normal aging on the brain. Research indicates CA remains dormant until it is needed, and is activated when free radical damage appears.

This evidence may be supported by natural

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>