Rosemary

Common name: Rosemary

Botanical name: Salvia rosmarinus (used to be called Rosmarinus officinalis)

Botanical family: Lamiaceae

Cultivation

Rosemary originates from Mediterranean Europe; it grows well in dry, rocky soil. It is drought and frost resistant. It is an evergreen shrub.

It is often used as a garden hedge, but grows well in pots too. It can become quite big so make sure you give it some space.

It is easy to propagate from cuttings, less easy to grow from seeds. It can also be layered.

How does it do here in Central Otago? Very well, as rosemary likes dry and hot conditions. 

Traditional medicinal uses

Its affinities are with the nervous system, the digestive system and the cardio-vascular system.

It is antioxidant, antimicrobial and has a tonic effect. As an aromatic, it is also carminative.

How to use it?

Part used: the leaves and flowers.

It can be used fresh all year around if you have access to a healthy plant.

It can be used fresh or dried in all your cooking, wilted in oil (to eat or for the skin), infused in apple cider vinegar, fresh or dried as a tea, tinctured.

Mythology/Folklore

Rosemary is traditionally used in cooking, and as an aromatic herb it helps the digestive system.

Rosemary is the symbol of remembrance and memory. 

It was also used at weddings as a symbol of love and loyalty. Brides would wear a wreath made of rosemary and ribbons.