Rosemary is a perennial culinary herb with a strongly aromatic quality. It is a member of the mint family, being related to Thyme, Oregano, Basil and Sage. The name Rosemary is derived from the Latin Ros Marinus or ‘dew from the sea’, which references its capacity to thrive in shaly, nutrient-poor seaside soils.

In ancient Egypt and during the Hellenistic period it was used to improve mental clarity and memory recall. Students were said to have coiled sprigs of Rosemary in their hair to assist in recalling information during important exams. More recently, Rosemary has also been used as a symbol of remembrance in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand to commemorate our armed forces heroes who have fallen in the line of duty.

With a strong history of use in the Mediterranean, the herb was used in cooking, for its medicinal properties and spiritual significance. Traditional home remedies expanded its use as a mouthwash or gargle for sore throats. It has also been used in hair rinses for shine and to stimulate hair growth.

Traditional uses include:

As a digestive stimulant for poor appetite

As a digestive carminative to soothe stomach spasm and bloating

To support memory recall

To relieve tension headaches

As an antioxidant

As a circulatory stimulant to promote blood flow

To support the liver in its detoxification role within the body