ROSEMARY

(Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosmarinus officinalis

Appearance

This is a dense, evergreen, aromatic, perennial shrub. Leaves are leathery and folded inwards along the margins, green and rough above and white-felted below. Flowers which appear from January to March (all the year round in cultivated varieties) lilac pink in lax clusters.


Habitat

Very rare as a wild plant in Cyprus but is probably indigenous between Yialousa and Ronnas bay on the Karpas Peninsula, on maritime rocks and fixed sand dunes near sea level, though it is possible that it was introduced there , accidentally, in the remote past. Widely cultivated elsewhere on the island..


Uses and Properties

The flowers of rosemary are very attractive to bees and the famous Narbonne honey is derived largely from this plant. The flowers and leaves of rosemary are rich in the essential oil, olio rosemarini, which is an essential ingredient of Eau de Cologne, hair lotions, cold creams etc. Plant has antiseptic, tonic and insecticidal properties. An infusion from the leaves can be used as a digestive. Leaves boiled in wine are traditionally used for bruising or arthritis. In the middle ages "Hungary water", a preparation for rheumatism using rosemary invented for Queen Elizabeth of Hungary was extremely popular, especially after it proved so revitalising to the Queen that the King of Poland proposed marriage! Rosemary was also used to fumigate hospital wards in the Middle Ages. Rosemary is also supposed to strengthen the memory. Students in ancient Greece would wear garlands of it around their heads during exams. There may be some truth to these theories as rosemary is now known to stimulate local circulation. In modern medicine rosemary is used as a stimulant to the circulation and a tonic to the nervous system being excellent for relieving headaches and migraines. Externally it is useful in rheumatic complaints and for aiding blood flow to the scalp in conditions of hair loss or dandruff. Rosemary has always been seen as a plant of graves and cemeteries in many cultures and civilisations. The Greeks and Romans regarded it as important in religious ceremonies and as a symbol of fidelity. In cookery rosemary is sometimes used as a conserve or for jam making and also with roast meats in stuffings marinades and egg dishes. It is also good with sweeter things such as jelly and fruit drinks and as a tea.



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