Rosemary
Rosemary is a warming, stimulating circulatory and cognitive herb that enhances blood flow, sharpens concentration, supports digestion, protects cells from oxidative stress, and rejuvenates the skin and scalp. It is especially helpful for cold, stagnant, low-energy patterns and conditions involving poor circulation, sluggish digestion, or mental fatigue.
From Latin ros (“dew”) and marinus (“of the sea”), referencing its ability to thrive along the Mediterranean coast where the “sea dew” sustains it.
Rosemary increases oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body and enhances removal of metabolic waste. It supports individuals with weak circulation, varicose veins, spider veins, Raynaud’s, and chronically cold hands and feet. By improving cerebral circulation, it sharpens memory, focus, and mental clarity, and is useful for cerebral anoxia, headaches, ADHD, early cognitive decline, and fatigue. Its antioxidant actions reduce cellular oxidation and inflammation.Rosemary raises low energy, lifts mild depression, and eases caffeine withdrawal when blended with nervines. It supports digestion by increasing appetite, improving non-ulcer dyspepsia, enhancing bile flow, and easing intestinal or gallbladder spasms. As a broad-spectrum disinfectant, rosemary tea is incorporated into formulas for colds, flu, sinusitis, respiratory infection, sore throat, or digestive infection, and helps reduce mucus.Topically, rosemary invigorates dull, underactive skin; supports dry or mature skin; reduces dandruff; strengthens hair follicles; slows graying; stimulates regrowth; and treats alopecia. Bath, fomentation, or infused oil applications warm tissues, ease arthritis, sprains, bruises, spasms, or muscular tension. As an external antimicrobial it treats athlete’s foot, ringworm, skin tinea, and staph. Rosemary sprays repel ants, insects, and deer.
Rosemary has been tied to memory and clarity since antiquity. Ancient Greek scholars wore wreaths of rosemary to strengthen recall. Shakespeare memorializes this tradition in Hamlet: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” It was burned in sickrooms as a purifier and long used as a kitchen, medicinal, and ceremonial herb.
An erect, evergreen shrub up to 2 m tall with furrowed, gray bark and highly aromatic, linear leaves (10–20 mm × 1–2 mm) that are dark green and smooth above, and grayish and tomentose below. Leaves grow in opposite pairs, often in clusters. Flowers appear in small clusters at branchlet tips, typical of the mint family, and the fruit matures into four nutlets.
Avoid with blocked bile ducts. Moderate to high internal doses may raise blood pressure and should be avoided by those with hypertension. Essential oil is contraindicated in children under 10 and in individuals with epilepsy. Use cautiously during pregnancy and lactation (culinary use is fine).
Tincture: 15–60 drops, up to 3× daily
Acetum extract: Use with food as a dressing
Tea: 8–12 oz, 1–3× dailyTopical: Use as fomentation, poultice, hair rinse, bath, infused oil, diluted essential oil, or in salves/lotions
Christina Sinadinos, David Hoffman, Bryan Bowen, all relevant CHSHS lectures.