Rosmarinus officinalis
Action: Tonic, aromatic, stomachic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, astringent, antiseptic.
Systems Affected: Nerves, heart, lungs, stomach, liver, gall-bladder, kidneys, bladder, uterus.
Preparation and Dosage (thrice daily): Fresh or dried leaves, dose 1-5 grams by infusion.
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean coast and both the common and generic names are derived from the early Latin ros maris (dew of the sea), from its habit of growing close to the sea. From the earliest times its medicinal benefits were recognized and it has always been popular as an aromatic and culinary herb.
In the late fourteenth century it became famous as the principal ingredient of the Queen of Hungary’s Water. Donna Izabella, Queen of Hungary, aged seventy-two and severely afflicted with gout, received a single brief visit from a hermit who left behind a herbal formula for treating her condition. Based on Rosemary and taken every morning for a year, it led to her full recovery, so much so that, in the words of Donna Izabella herself, ‘I recovered my health and regained my strength, and on beholding my beauty, the King of Poland desired to marry me; which I refused for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, believing that the Receipt had been given to me by an Angel . . .’
Rosemary has been used to treat an almost bewildering variety of ailments, hence its attribution as a general tonic. Particularly high in calcium, it stimulates the brain, kidneys and nervous system and is good for nervous depression.
The infusion, used internally, has been applied to such problems as colds and flu, physical and mental overstrain, anaemia, debility following severe illness, dyspepsia, flatulence and colic, hepatic insufficiency, jaundice, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, gall-stones, rheumatism, gout, renal insufficiency, retention of urine, oedema, obesity, painful menstruation, nervous palpitations, dizziness, fainting, loss of memory, nervous headache and migraines. It is considered by some to be of great benefit in relieving headaches and as a substitute for aspirin.
Externally Rosemary is used to treat rheumatism, gout and neuralgia. It is applied as a compress, or as an ointment which is massaged into the affected area (the essential oil being the most effective). The infusion, used once or twice a day as a lotion, acts as a skin tonic and will remove puffiness beneath the eyes. Renowned as a tonic for the hair and scalp, it is sometimes used to prevent falling hair: a strong infusion, cooled, is used as a rinse after shampoo. Rosemary is smoked with Coltsfoot leaves to relieve asthma and congestion of the throat and lungs.
Cautionary Notes: Allowing for all its possible uses, Rosemary should be used with some discretion. The essential oil should not be used internally. Extremely large doses of the leaf are toxic, possibly causing abortion, convulsions and, very rarely, death.
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Tags: Herbal
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