| Rosemary is an herb that can grow up to 5 feet | | | | with her cloak while in Egypt, thus turning the flowers |
| with inch-long silver-green needle-like leaves. Its | | | | from white to blue. The Moors planted it in their |
| flowers are lilac or light blue. It has a strong, clean | | | | orchards to drive off pests. |
| and minty aroma. It got its name from the latin word | | | | It was traditionally used in wedding ceremonies so |
| 'rosmarinus officinalis' which means "dew of the sea." | | | | the wedding couple would not forget their vows. |
| It is an evergreen tree and a member of the mint | | | | Mourners threw sprigs of rosemary on graves as a |
| family. My olfactory nerves told me that it is similar | | | | symbol that the dead would not be forgotten. The |
| to thyme. When it comes to cooking, I often used it | | | | Chinese believed rosemary essential oil could cure |
| in my Chinese dishes. Try it in fried rice and I | | | | baldness. |
| guarantee you'll taste this simple meal in a whole new | | | | Today, in aromatherapy, rosemary essential oil is |
| way. | | | | used for mental clarity, stimulate nervous system, |
| In aromatherapy, Rosemary essential oils are mainly | | | | to prevent hair loss, to relieve muscle cramps, to |
| produced in Morocco, Spain and France. It is | | | | clear chest and head congestion and to get rid of |
| extracted by steam distillation from the leaves and | | | | infections. |
| flowers. It is considered a middle note in | | | | You can grow your own rosemary in pots. But it |
| aromatherapy and is often blended with cedarwood, | | | | doesn't like the cold very much so bring it indoors |
| geranium, basil, myrtle. I would also blend it with other | | | | when the weather starts to turn but this is not a |
| essential oils just to be different. | | | | problem in sunny Singapore. It doesn't like getting too |
| Historically, rosemary essential oil has been used by | | | | wet either so use water sparingly . The soil would be |
| different cultures for so many different reasons. | | | | ideal if it is around P.H. 6.0 to 7.5 . Personally I don't |
| The French burned rosemary because it was thought | | | | have a green thumb so I don't grow it. My aunt does |
| that the smoke would drive away epidemics in | | | | though and her name is Rosemary. She said this herb |
| hospitals. The Egyptians used it in their cleansing | | | | is very useful to her. Re-pot the herb when it looks |
| rituals. The Queen of Hungary washed her face with | | | | dull. |
| a blend of rosemary, orange and rose essential oils. | | | | Remember to try sprinkling the dried herb of |
| The British kept it close to their bodies to fight off | | | | rosemary in your fried rice the next time! |
| influenza. The Greeks believed that it can improve | | | | CAUTION: Because of its stimulating properties, do |
| memory especially just before an exam. It was also | | | | not use during pregnancy. Do not use the essential oil |
| said that the Virgin Mary covered a rosemary bush | | | | undiluted on the skin. Do not ingest. |