The Herbal Ally Way: Rosemary for Memory and Mindfulness

According to tradition, Rosemary is the herb for remembrance.

 

“There's Rosemary, that's for remembrance. Pray you, love, remember.”

― William Shakespeare, Hamlet

 

The Greek Physician Dioscorides, described all the health benefits of Rosemary in one sentence:

 

“ The eating of its flower in a preserve comforts the brain, the heart and the stomach; sharpens understanding, restores lost memory, awakens the mind and in sum is a healthy remedy for various cold ailments of the head and stomach.”

 

Even modern research affirms this Herbal Ally's potential benefits.

 

Rosemary is an Herbal Ally that is in the mint family and is used to flavor foods, especially European Cuisine.

 

It is a fragrant plant, with evergreen needle-like leaves and flowers that are either, white, pink, purple or blue depending on the cultivar.

 

The name “Rosemary,” has not a thing to do with Rose or the name Mary., but comes from the Latin name ros marinus, which means “dew of the sea.”

 

The use of Rosemary has been documents back to 500 B.C., when it was used as a culinary and medicinal herb by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

 

Most rosemary available to purchase is imported from Spain, France & Morocco. However, it is easy to grow in your own Herbal Ally garden as well.

 

It is a perennial plant when protected from freezing temperatures and grows on average to about 3-4 ft high.

 

Rosemary is used in the Kitchen for seasoning meats, flavoring soups, pasta, salads, bread and may be used to make a memory enhancing tea.

 

How does Rosemary Improve Memory?

 

According to real world research, the ways rosemary supports memory and brain health are:

 

• Inhaling rosemary essential oil alters brain waves and increases alertness as well.

• Rosemary leaf powder when consumed as a capsule improves the speed of memory recall.

• Rosemary contains natural anti-oxidants that protect from agre related memory loss.

• A rosemary tincture has been shown to have antidepressant properties which can protect from stress-induced memory loss.

Rosemary also provides other health benefits including an improvement in metabolism, reduction of cholesterol, pain and inflammation reduction in arthritis as well as anti-tumor activity.

 

So, how can you incorporate Rosemary into your own Life?

 

The best and easiest way is to simply incorporate fresh rosemary into your Kitchen Witchery creations and meals.

 

Rosemary Tea

 

Rosemary tea has been a thing for at least two thousand years. It has fallen out of regular use, but rosemary leaves are still included in every spice rack so we can still make ourselves a cup of rosemary tea whenever we want to.

Here’s a tip: Always use three times more fresh herbs than dried herbs. Dried leaves are much more concentrated, so you need to use more fresh leaves for the same effect. Fresh leaves are also milder in flavor.

 

• 1 tsp dried rosemary leaves

• 1 cup of water

• Honey to taste

In a kettle, boil water and pour it into a cup. Fill a tea infuser with rosemary and steep covered for two minutes. Remove the infuser and sweeten to taste.

Rosemary Tincture Recipe

Ingredients

Dried Rosemary

• high proof Alcohol such as vodka or brandy

• Mason Jar

Recipe

Remove rosemary from branches and place inside mason jar, filling jar halfway full and pour alcohol over herb-filling jar and seal from six weeks to one year. Strain rosemary leaves when infused to your liking (you need a minimum of six weeks for the herbs to properly infuse). You may dilute 1:1 with spring water and bottle after straining or use straight from the “Mother” bottle. 1 tsp added to a cup of hot water makes a strong instant tea.

 

Rosemary Essential Oil

 

A study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, as well as a study at the University of Northumbria found that rosemary as an essential oil as aromatherapy increased memory and long term recall of study material.

 

Key being that while studying (Magickal Grimoires included) one must smell the rosemary while studying. This stimulates the olfactory regions of the brain and stimulates retention of the knowledge one is trying to learn.

 

Interestingly while testing for the retained knowledge the group who was allowed to smell the rosemary again while testing scored better than those who only smelled the rosemary while studying. It appears that the memories are recalled easier as they become associated with the smell of the rosemary itself.

 

Oddly Lavender aromatherapy was utilized in the test as well and while it was relaxing it reduced the ability to retain as well as recall the study material.

 

So in conclusion; Inhalation of rosemary essential oil is found to improve alertness and memory while studyinge. Studies reveal that the aroma can affect brain waves and induce a composed state with increased alertness.

 

Sniffing rosemary essential oil will improve memory and cognition in the short term. It is not a permanent solution or a replacement for better diet and exercise.

 

Rosemarycontains natural antioxidants that serve as neuro-protective agents. Consumption of rosemary tea or leaf powder in capsules is associated with improved memory and cognition.

 

Including the herb in the diet can help protect brain health and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. This, in turn, may cut down the risk of dementia and neurodegenerative conditions.

 

The Magickal Properties of Rosemary

 

Rosemary lends itself well to incense as well as cleansing herb bundle usage.

 

• Healing

• General all-rounder

• Memory

• Loyalty

• Love

• Protection

• Purification

Magickal Associations of Rosemary

Deities: Aphrodite

Magickal Correspondences of Rosemary

Zodiac:Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Cancer, Capricorn

Planet:The Sun

Element:Fire

Rosemary in the diet is safe. At high doses, it can cause serious side effects such as vomiting, spasms, coma and pulmonary oedema.

Individuals with high blood pressure, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease should avoid consuming high doses of the herb.

Pregnant and nursing women should avoid taking rosemary supplements but may utilize in your food.

Rosmarinus officinalis extracts may interact with blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, diabetes medication and lithium.

Consumption of rosemary essential oil can be toxic; it should be used only for aromatherapy. It may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Note: It is advisable to consult an herbalist or other health practitioner before using rosemary supplements.