The Alchemy of Rosemary
Scientific name: Rosemarinus officinalis
Also Known As: Dew of the Sea, Elf Leaf, Sea Dew, Polar Plant
Alchemical Properties:
Element: Fire
Day: Sunday
Planet: Sun
Zodiac: Leo
Gender: Masculine
Associated with: Athena
Parts Used: Leaves
How to Use: in cooking, in teas, tinctures, herbal steam, essential oil
Folk Medicine Energy & Uses: Protection, clarity, courage, purification, healing, luck
Medicinal Uses: Mental clarity & memory, circulatory system stimulant, antimicrobial, digestive aid, pain reduction, hair growth, colds and flus, antioxidant & anti-inflammatory
The Senses: Warming and drying, pungent taste, highly aromatic camphoraceous scent with crisp, herbal notes that are warm and balsamic at times
Cautions: ALWAYS consult with professionals before using. Specifically, avoid large doses (i.e., essential oils) during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if taking insulin, are epileptic and if you have high blood pressure.
Botanical Notes:
From the Lamiacae family, Rosemary is a very common culinary herb that is widely use in North America. Originating from the Mediterranean Region, this herb is now grown throughout the world and there are many different cultivars that offer slightly different scents. A shrubby evergreen bush, Rosemary can grow up to 2 metres high in warmer climates. Its blueish green needles are extremely aromatic when brushed up against, immediately awakening the senses and refreshing to the mind. Rosemary is a perennial that thrives in warmer climates and loves to grown alongside other Mediterranean plants like lavender and thyme. For cooler climates like those in Canada, it is best to grow this herb in pots and bring in when temperatures become cooler. Harvesting should take place during the months where the plant experiences growth (mainly summer). It prefers drier climates, so keeping the roots from getting too moist is important. It can be used fresh for culinary purposes, and is an excellent herb to dry for use in cooking, teas and smoke cleansing.
Historically Rosemary is one of the first herbs used for medicinal and energetic purposes. Ancient civilizations used it as a sacred herb to smoke cleanse their space to eliminate evil energies, burning it at shrines and during sacred ceremonies for protection. It was also used during the Middle Ages to smoke cleanse spaces as protection against infectious illnesses. Energetically this herb is often used to invoke courage, confidence and burning away any negativity or evil spirits. Shamans and folk medicine practitioners find it useful for banishing work and to release traumatic memories, ushering in happy memories and fresh starts. It is used in protection rituals as a tool for fidelity, to prevent negative energy from absorbing into individuals, and provide comfort, confidence, and clarity during stressful moments. Called the herb of remembering as it is often very helpful to support short term memory and bring mental clarity. It is a great herb to use when studying, even the Ancient Greeks held springs of it while taking exams. Perhaps one of my favourite uses is to add a few dried sprigs to a campfire in order to ward off mosquitos… the scent is fantastic!
Modern day medicine sees the herb used for a variety of digestive, pain, respiratory and circulatory purposes. It has the effect of stimulating the circulatory system and increasing blood pressure, is antiseptic and astringent which makes is useful for skin conditions/infections and is helpful for digestive upset. Many hair tonics and products contain rosemary as it promotes hair growth and is useful for scalp conditions such as dandruff and dermatitis. When using for medicinal purposes, always consult with your practitioners in case of any contraindications as it can interfere with certain medications and conditions.
Sources:
Almanac.com. https://www.almanac.com/
Blackthorn, A. (2018). Blackthorn’s botanical Magic: The Green Witch’s Guide to Essential Oils for Spellcraft, Ritual & Healing. Weiser Books.
Cunningham, S. (2012). Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Worldwide.
De La Foret, R. (2017). Alchemy of herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies That Heal. Hay House, Inc.
Lawless, J. (2012). Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The complete guide to the use of aromatic oils in aromatherapy, herbalism, health and well-being. (Text Only). HarperCollins UK.
