Rosemary for Remembrance

Rosemary is one of those fragrant herbs that brings back memories of holidays and family dinners. But in addition to being a delightfully aromatic culinary herb, Rosemary has been used historically for its amazing healing qualities and beautiful symbolism. 

In the Middle Ages, it was thought that rosemary was a gift from Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. It was customary for brides to wear a head crown designed with rosemary to symbolize their fidelity, and the groom would hand out sprigs of rosemary to each guest. 

This beautiful herb also symbolizes remembrance, and is used to this day in war commemorations, funerals, and weddings.

Rosemary may be taken as a fresh or dried herb, an extract, or a tea. Some of the health benefits of this remarkable herb include:

• Liver detoxification – stimulates the liver to work more efficiently, and helps to inactivate toxins and flush them from the body.
• Anti-inflammatory – contains two potent anti-inflammatories, carnosic acid and carnosol. Studies show that these two compounds inhibited COX-2, an enzyme that causes pain and inflammation in the body.
• A rich source of Vitamin E, Iron, Calcium and B6.
• Immunity – boosts the immune system due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Nourishes the overall health of the body.
• Adrenals – thought to stimulate our adrenal glands to provide energy while elevating moods and relieving stress. 
•  Improved memory – an herbal book from the 1500s claimed that rosemary should be taken to help with “weakness of the brain”. Today, studies show that the powerful herb has neuroprotective qualities that may protect against Alzheimer’s disease as well as normal memory loss that comes with aging. Also helps to stimulate the mind and help with mental focus. 
• Anti-cancer – contains carnosol which has been found in studies to be a potent anti-cancer compound.
• Helps to regulate menstrual cycle and ease cramps.
• Improves circulation and enhances the digestive system.

These are just a handful of the incredible healing properties this herb has to offer. One of my favorite ways to enjoy these health benefits, especially for mental focus while studying, is rosemary tea. You can drink it alone or with your favorite loose leaf or bagged tea. Just add a sprig of rosemary to your tea cup and let it steep for a while. The aromatic smell along with the delicious flavor of the herb is stimulating to the mind as well as nourishing to the tummy. For a delicious treat add a slice of turmeric root, slice of ginger root and a squeeze of lemon!