by Gail Kavanagh

Created on: January 06, 2009   Last Updated: May 06, 2010

Rosemary is named from the Latin, meaning Dew of the Sea. This is particularly appropriate because the fragrant leaves of the rosemary plant seems to contain the changing moods of the ocean. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia reminds us that "rosemary is for remembrance." This is very true in Australia, where it is worn in Remembrance Day for those who gave their lives in WWI.

Rosemary is associated with the Mary the Mother of Christ in legend. It is said she laid her cloak across a rosemary bush to dry, and that this is the origin of the plant's beautiful blue flowers. Rosemary is thus regarded as a plant that only flourishes where a woman rules the house.

But rosemary is more than a lovely plant with literary and historical associations. It is a well proven medicinal and culinary herb, with uses that date back to ancient times.

For most gardeners, rosemary is easy to cultivate. There are two types, the creeping rosemary and the erect bush rosemary, and both are forgiving varieties that do well in poor conditions. Once rosemary is established, it gives a regular supply of the aromatic leaves. You can buy a rosemary plant at the nursery to put in a pot, or the garden, or you can strike a cutting from an established plant. Make sure your cutting has a woody heel, taken from one of the main branches, and propagate it in damp, rich potting soil.

You can use rosemary straight from the bush, or dry the leaves to use anytime. Cut several sprigs of rosemary and tie them together below the leaves with a piece of string. Leave a loop so you can hang the rosemary in a cool dry place.When the leaves are dry, rub or shake them off into a muslin bag for storage.

Rosemary is rich with aromatic oils, an can be bought in essential oil form for a variety of uses. The oil contains borneol, camphor, eucalyptol and pinene, giving it that characteristic fragrance. The essential oil is mixed with carrier oil or alcohol to make a rub for the treatment of muscular aches and pains.This can also be added to the bath to ease fatigue and take care of small wounds. Rosemary oil is extremely concentrated, and should never be taken internally, as it is toxic when ingested. Rosemary leaves are quite safe to eat, however, and can be used as a culinary herb.

The traditional culinary use for rosemary is with sweet tasting meats like lamb. If you have never used rosemary before, try this simple method of flavoring a lamb roast - cut holes in the skin and flesh of a lamb roast, using the tip of

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