Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Folk Names: Dew of the sea, Incensier, Sea Dew, Ros Maris, Rosmarie, Guardrobe.

Medicinal uses

Hair Growth: Steep Rosemary in boiling water to use as a hair rinse. Pour it over your newly washed hair.

Improves digestion: Use to treat indigestion by steeping Rosemary into a tea and drinking it.

Memory and Concentration: Rosemary aroma can improve concentration, speed, performance and mood. Use Rosemary essential oil or dried Rosemary.

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties: Rosemary contains rich amounts of antioxidants and is also anti-inflammatory. Antioxidants are thought to improve your blood circulation and boost your immune system.

Neurological protection: Rosemary contains carnosic acid, which can help reduce damage caused by free radicals in the brain.

Cancer: “Crude ethanolic rosemary extract (RO)” (Oncology Reports) slows the spread of human leukaemia and breast carcinoma cells.

Blood sugar: The carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid in Rosemary have an insulin like effect on blood sugar. Steep Rosemary in water to make a tea for this purpose.

In Magic

Planet: Sun

Element: Air, Fire

Zodiac: Leo

Gender: Masculine

Crystals: Selenite, Citrine

Deities: Hebe, Aphrodite

Chakra: Third Eye, Heart, Solar Plexus

Properties

Versatile: Rosemary is very versatile and can be used as a substitute for any herb in a spell, just like a white candle. Can also be a substitute for Frankincense.

Dispel Thieves: Keep a Rosemary bush in your garden to deter thieves.

Exorcism: Can be used for smudging prior to and during an exorcism to drive out negative energies and unwanted entities.

Faithfulness: To keep your lover faithful, make a wreath out of Rosemary and hang it on your door.

Home Blessing: Use the sprigs to dip in moon water and sprinkle around your home or magical space to bless it.

Jealousy: Light a dried Rosemary sprig and visualize the jealousy being removed as the sprig burns.

Memory: If a Rosemary sprig is placed underneath your pillow it can promote a dream of a forgotten memory. It also strengthens your memory.

Purification: It can be used as a smudge stick to cleanse your home, magical space or mind in preparation for magick work. It is also great for cleansing your physical body. Fill a sachet of Rosemary and place it in your bath water and enjoy the purifying bath for at least 15-30 min.

Stop Gossip: Keep Rosemary on you or in your home to protect you from gossip.

Culinary uses

Although the taste Rosemary leaves is bitter and not very nice at all on its own, the aroma can make pretty much any vegetable better. Sprinkle Rosemary on your food early on in the cooking process to allow the flavours to mix. Perfect for roasting vegetables, especially potatoes.

Can also be made into a tea and be used as garnish.

Household Uses

Use to make Pot-pourri or place in a little bag in the dryer to fragrance your clothes and sheets.

Make your own Rosemary bath salts:

You Will Need:

2 cups of Epsom Salt

2 tbs Baking Soda

Food Colouring if you want

4 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil (or any other scent)

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until oils and colourings are evenly distributed.

Pest control: Rosemary is said to ward off mosquitoes and mice if kept around the house.

DIY air freshener: Add 1 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and 10 drops of Rosemary essential oil (and any other essential oil you think would fit, Lavender for example). The alcohol makes it dry faster and helps the essential oils to mix with the water.

Disclaimer

Always consult a doctor before using a herb medicinally.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should take extra care and research the effects of any herb on a developing fetus. Consult with your doctor if you are unsure how this will affect you and your situation.