Rosemary Herb

Historically used to strengthen the memory, as an anti-aphrodisiac and as an aphrodisiac, for plague protection, as an antiseptic, to restore appetite, for paralysis, gout, heart and stomach remedy, for dropsy, for the brain and nervous system, for headache, insomnia, mental fatigue, head congestion, to stimulate circulation, to mitigate baldness, for healthy shiny hair, as a heart tonic, to restore speech after stroke, for a torpid liver, for chronic colds, for wounds, local pains, as an abortifacient and to promote menstruation. Levy says that this herb comes as close to being a cure-all as any that we have. She would rather be associated with it than with any other herb in her repertoire and she plants it wherever she goes (Lev:Common: 123). An ash-colored evergreen shrub, with numerous branches, and a scaly bark. The needlelike leaves are opposite, leathery, thick, dark green above, downy white underneath with a prominent vein in the middle and margins which are rolled down. The flowers are pale blue or white and grow in short axillary racemes. It originated in the Mediterranean, now widely cultivated. Historically used for its aromatic leaves and kitchen seasoning. The flowers are used fresh, as a garnish, or dried for decoration and for preserving food. The tea is used for a hair rinse or added to the bath. It is a antiseptic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, stimulant, and stomachic. It aids in the digestion of fat, in formulas for losing weight, headaches, chronic fatigue, low blood pressure, stimulates circulation which eases aching joints, promotes liver function and production of bile, and digestion. A tonic is used for the elderly to invigorate the nervous system, and to help preserve good health A salve made from the oil is used for arthritis, eczema, bruises. A tea of the leaves is used for a mouthwash, bad breath, a hair rinse to prevent baldness.