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A traditionally grown herb/shrub in an Italian garden is rosemary - of which mine is no exception. Its tangy, pungent, and distinctive taste lends well to recipes for poultry, lamb, beef and wild game. This beautiful, fragrant, tasty herb has a delightful history and a long-lived future.

The Latin name for this herb is Rosmarinus officinalis, which translates as "dew-of-the-sea" in part since it grows well near the coast. However, this plant is found all over the European and American continents and will grow in most sunny conditions.

History tells us this plant has roots back to 500 B.C. where it was believed to support brain function and improve memory. Grecian students were known to braid rosemary into their hair in order to perform well on exams. Shakespeare's character Ophelia spoke the words, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember" Perhaps memory helps with one to awake from a deep sleep as some say Sleeping Beauty awoke from her slumber by its fragrance.

In more realistic lore, the Virgin Mary is said to have laid her blue cloak, which swathed the baby Jesus, on a bed of rosemary with white flowers. The plant was so honored by having the new King laid upon it that the rosemary chose to change to the color of the cloak. Legend continues with the belief that it will never grow taller than the height of the Christ at his death at age 33. If it lives longer than Jesus' corporeal 33 years, it will grow wide instead of high.

Rosemary also has the reputation as the herb of friendship and fidelity. Brides often had this woven into her headpiece, bouquet or decorated the church with it. Bridesmaids and wedding guests also use to receive bouquets tied with ribbons in an expression of the bride and groom's commitment and harmony. A fitting touch to send off a beloved deceased friend or family member was to toss a branch of rosemary into the grave.

Rosemary is also purported to have many medicinal effects. It has been used to stimulate circulation and to alleviate blood pressure problems. One of the constituents in this plant is rosmarinic acid, known to be a powerful antioxidant. In addition, rosemary oil has been shown to have anticancer properties.

Oil of rosemary has effective antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is often used as an astringent as the high levels of tannins provide these properties. The tannins also allow the rosemary to be used to shrink swollen mucous membranes, and when applied topically as a tincture will alleviate joint pain and arthritis. Often it was burned as an incense to cleanse sick rooms and to prevent further spread of the infection.

Rosemary is also purported to have gastrointestinal influences as it aids in fat digestion, relieves gas, and is thought to aide with diarrhea. Other uses include hair tonics as it assists with dandruff, is supposed to be wonderful for dark haired women, and provides shine to dull hair.

On a personal note, my husband teases me that the combination of rosemary, olive oil, and garlic are the Italian aphrodisiac. Whatever works for whomever uses it!

Learn more about this author, CD Gozzi.
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