Rosemary

Includes: Rosmarinus, family Lamiaceae

Folk Names: Boþen, Rosmaris, Rosmarine, Rosemarie, Compass Weed, Dew of the Sea, Sea Dew, Elf Leaf, Guardrobe, Polar Plant, Incensier, and Pilgrim’s Flower
Scientific Names: Rosmarinus Officinalis (reclassed Salvia Rosmarinus); Rosmarinus Eriocalyx (reclassed Salvia Jordanii); Rosmarinus Tomentosus (reclassed Salvia Granatensis)

Conservation Status:

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Physical Description:

Scent Description:

Oil Product Description:
Scent Synergies: Citrus

Wildlife and Livestock Uses:

Gardening Uses:

Handling Concerns:
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Medicinal Uses:

Compounds Known: Rosmarinic Acid, Carnosic Acid, Camphor, Linalool
Concerns & Contraindications:

Culinary Uses: Mediterranean Cuisine

Practical Uses:

Magical Uses: Protection from the Evil Eye (Rubin); Protection against Harm & Spirits (Inkwright, Cunningham, Dugan); Deters Thieves (Inkwright, Cunningham); Dispelling Nightmares (Cunningham, Crosson); Cleansing & Purification (Inkwright, Cunningham, Crosson); Remembrance, especially of Ancestors & the Dead (Inkwright, Dugan, Crosson); Memory (Inkwright, Cunningham, Dugan, Crosson); Health (Cunningham); Youthfulness (Cunningham); "Psychic Powers" (Cunningham, Dugan); "Otherworldly Knowledge" and Divination (Cunningham, Crosson); Attraction of Land Spirits (Cunningham, Crosson); Connection to the Sea (Cunningham, Crosson); Safe Travels, especially across Water (Cunningham); Bringing or Keeping Love (Inkwright, Crosson); Lust (Crosson); Fertility (Crosson)

Additional Notes: Sources are Rosmarinus Officinalis / Salvia Rosmarinus dominant, and other Rosemary species are never mentioned. Given the ease of hybridization between the other types of Rosemary, however, and their descriptive similarities, I see no reason these properties should not realistically extend to all Rosmarinus members. divider

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has been beloved for thousands of years by many ancient traditions. In Jewish folk traditions, it was equated with protection from physical, spiritual, emotional and mental harm [...] It was widely used for cleansing, detoxing, memory and cognitive function, gastrointestinal issues, immunity, and more.

In both Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions, rosemary was known in particular as one of the most holy herbs to protect against the ayin ha-rah (evil eye). The evil eye was seen as the key source of illness [...] and so women and children would place a sprig of rosemary inside pockets, on an altar, or in an amulet for protection.

These were not just empty rituals. Rosemary is in fact incredibly antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, and contains important volatile oils and diterpenes including rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, camphor, and linalool (Hoffman, 2003, 577). Its extracts are incorporated in many Alzheimer’s medications to help offset the impacts of memory loss. Just 500 mg of rosemary extract a day has been shown to help memory recall and relieve depression, anxiety and poor sleep (Nematolahi et al. 2018).

Rosemary’s medicinal support of memory is particularly striking to me, because in Jewish tradition, it represents a symbolic connection to ancestors and the remembrance of loved ones. I like to place a few rosemary sprigs on top of an altar, honoring the roots of my personal lineage and that of Jewish plant wisdom.

'Ancestral Herbalism: Jewish Traditions and the Divinity of Rosemary' by Laura Rubin (via At The Well)

Also known as Compass Weed, Incensier, and Pilgrim’s Flower, tame Rosemary is a household herb at heart. It thrive’s best when a woman is in charge of the household, and is said to die when she moves away. When grown or dried and hung on the doorpost it deters thieves; twigs hung above the bed act as protection against spirits [while sleeping]- and in Ireland was especially believed to protect against a child being replaced with a Changeling. It was also a popular strewing herb during Christmastime in the Medieval ages- though for no particular reason other than having a pleasant scent. It is an excellent incense in general, but especially a purification incense, and when burned drives away evil spirits and negativity. When stored next to other herbs cleanses them of negative [spiritual] influences.

Rosemary has long been associated with memory and remembrance as well; Grecian students would braid it into their hair to help with tests. But it was also thrown into graves to ensure a dead person would not be forgotten. Love, too, was also under its supposed purview, and a popular charm to bring love was to tie three sprigs together with red thread and place them beneath your door mat. For keeping a personal love instead, they could be placed beneath the mattress.

'Folk Magic and Healing: An Unusual History of Everyday Plants' by Fez Inkwright

Rosemary Oil is typically direct steam distilled from the flowers, leaves and twigs of Rosmarinus Officinalis which is found in numerous forms and subvarieties across the Mediterranean region- though the twigs are only included in distillations in some regions. One or two distillers also specialize in “Rosemary Flower Oil”, distilled exclusively from flower material at full inflorescence.

Quality Rosemary Oil is a pale yellow or almost colorless liquid of strong, fresh, woody-herbaceous, somewhat minty and forest like odor. The “high'' fresh notes vanish quickly, yielding to a clean, woody balsamic body note which tones out in a dry herbaceous, but very pleasant and tenacious, bitter-sweet note.

For “Rosemary Flower Oil”, upon distillation, this yields a very fine and delicate perfume oil, excellent for use in colognes, lavender waters, etc. Characteristic of poorer oils is the pronounced camphoraceous cinepolis note which is different from the herbaceous: it is coarser, less delicate, less pleasant. These oils usually display a dryout note reminiscent of eucalyptus residues (oily, resinous, rancid), sweeter and less woody than the note from good oils.

Apart from a very high amount of monoterpenes, rosemary oil contains a significant amount of Borneol, a crystalline terpene alcohol, but this is also the main oxygenated component of the oil. Rosemary oil is, accordingly, not very soluble in diluted alcohol (below 80%), but as a low boiling and fresh smelling oil it has good effect as a masking agent, particularly for phenolic or tar-like odors; it blends well with lavandin, lavender, citronella, origanum or thyme, pine, coumarin, labdanum, olibanum, elemi, terpinyl propionate, isobornyl propionate, cedarwood and derivatives, methyl ionones, petitgrain, nitromusks, etc.

Rosemary Oil is occasionally adulterated with White Camphor Oil, or with head fractions from the rectification of Spanish eucalyptus oil; furthermore, with turpentine fractions, fractions from the production of synthetic terpineol, light cedarwood fractions, etc. Contamination can also occur with oil from the plant Salvia Lavandulaefolia, or Spanish Sage, which contains large amounts of cineole / eucalyptol.

'Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin' by Steffen Arctander

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.), also called in the texts by Rosmarinum, and Boþen, grows in sandy soil and in gardens*. The Old English term, wyrtbett* — “plant bed or garden plot” — supports the idea that many of these plants were grown in special beds.

For toothache, take the root of the plant we call Rosmarinum and give it to eat. Without delay, it will relieve the toothache. If the juice is held in the mouth, it will quickly heal the teeth.
For the sickly, take the plant Rosmarinum, pound it with oil, and rub it on the person. You will heal him wonderfully.
For itching, take the same plant, pound it, and mix its juice with aged wine and warm water. Give it to drink for three days.
For liver and abdominal disease, take a handful of this same plant, pound it into water, and mix with it two handfuls of spikenard and some stalks of rue. Simmer together in water and give it to drink. The person will get better.
For fresh wounds, take the same plant we call Rosmarinum, pound it with lard, and lay it onto the wound.

'Medieval Herbal Remedies: The Old English Herbarium and Anglo-Saxon Medicine' by Anne van Arsdall

Folk Names include Compass Weed, Dew of the Sea, Elf Leaf, Guardrobe, Incensier, and Polar Plant; Masculine; Protection, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Purification, Healing, Sleep, and Youth.

One of the oldest known incenses. When burned or smoldered it emits powerful cleansing and purifying vibrations that rid a place of negativity- especially beneficial prior to performing magic; ensures a good sleep and drives away nightmares when placed beneath the pillow. But laid under the bed, it protects the sleeper from all harm. Hung on the porch and doorposts, keeps thieves from the house.

It also has strong curative vibrations; a chaplet of rosemary, when worn regularly, aids memory and health- while the wood, smelled often, preserves youthfulness. Also purifies the body and spirit, and preserves youthfulness, as a bath additive. Healing poppets are stuffed with Rosemary, and a Rosemary infusion is used to wash the hands before healing work. The leaves mixed with Juniper Berries are also burned as an incense to promote healing.

It can be used for clairvoyance and otherworldly knowledge as well. If you wish to receive knowledge or the answer to a question, burn rosemary on charcoal and smell its smoke. Rosemary is also grown to attract elves and other Land Spirits. It can also be used generally as a substitute for Frankincense.

'Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs' by Scott Cunningham

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis): Dew of the sea, incensier, sea dew, rosmaris, rosmarine, rosemarie, guardrobe; Hot / Sun, Fire herb for purification, love, intellectual, protection uses.

A vitalizing oil, rosemary is used in healing rituals. Rosemary and Juniper together as a healing and recuperation incense is also common; It aids mental powers when rubbed onto the temples, and also eases headaches in the same way. Wear a chaplet of rosemary to aid the memory- or drink rosemary tea just before a test or exam to ensure that the mind is fully awake. It also promotes prudence, common sense, and self-assurance; It is protective and purifying. Make a simple of Rosemary to cleanse the hands before working magic, if there's no time for a regular pre-ritual bath; Include a sprig in protection workings. It is often used to form a protection wreath, as well. When hung in any form it wards off thieves; Rosemary also has connections with the sea and so is used in sea rituals, and to ensure a safe water passage.

Many Witches also add a vase of fresh flowers and / or greens to give extra life to their Altars. This is an excellent idea, especially if you also insert a few sprigs of herbs appropriate to the rite- such as a little rosemary for a rite of protection.

'Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise' by Scott Cunningham

Rosemary is a tender perennial- or a plant that, while listed as a perennial, will not likely survive the winter season unless steps are taken to protect it from the cold; magical associations include protection, love, sleep, boosting psychic power, exorcism, and healing; classified as a masculine herb. Astrological correspondences include Uranus and the Sun, and the element is Fire.

Symbolizes remembrance, which is highly appropriate at Samhain in particular. If burned, it has a powerful cleansing effect. Sprigs of rosemary may be worn or braided into hair to boost personal protection. It may also be used as a more affordable substitute for frankincense. A tea made from rosemary boosts psychic powers and opens the third eye. In the art of floriography Rosemary says “Your presence revives me!” and symbolizes fidelity, devotion, and good luck in the new year.

'Garden Witch's Herbal: Green Magick, Herbalism, and Spirituality' by Ellen Dugan

Rosemary […] has a strong and ancient association with mankind, and has serv'd as an Ally in many Endeavors […] A bath made with the fragrant Leaves has been much esteem'd, and if flowers be gathered in sufficient quantity, their powers exceed that of the Leaves by a factor of three.

'Ars Philtron: Concerning the Aqueous Cunning of the Potion and Its Praxis in the Green Arte Magical' by Daniel Schulke

It was once said that “Where rosemary grows, the woman rules”- meaning the plant only flourished where the woman was the head of the household.

Herbs that require a longer germination period, such as rosemary, are great for starting indoors. Straw bales set around tender herbs such as rosemary provide insulation to help get them through the cold months. Remember, you can pot up herbs such as rosemary that might not survive outdoors and bring them inside for continuous use.

Use rosemary in all your favorite Mediterranean recipes, including stews, grilled and roasted meat dishes, sauces, and breads.

Rosemary has antibacterial properties. It also relieves stress. Use the leaves.

In magick, Rosemary is masculine, and is associated with fire and the power of the sun. This powerful herb purifies and rejuvenates stagnant energies so burn it to purify your magickal space. Use it for remembrance, clarity, purification, protection, love, lust, fertility, and dispelling nightmares; rosemary has long been used in love spells and was worn in chaplets by medieval brides. Known also by the folk name “elf leaf”, it can be grown in the garden to attract Elves. And with its strong ties to the sea, use it in sea witchery. Rosemary also has a history with divination, funerary practices, and communication with the spirit world.

'A Year in the Enchanted Garden: Cultivating the Witch's Soul With Spells, Crafts, and Garden Know-How' by Monica Crosson