The magical properties of rosemary explained with 8 facts | Welcome to Wicca now

Hello my magical warriors and welcome to Spell Magic. Today I want to continue our herb-filled journey and talk about the magical properties of rosemary. I’ve talked about herbs for luck, herbs for protection, herbs for love spells, and money herbs, as well as the multiple uses of lavender and cinnamon along with my overall botanical witchcraft, but today I wanted to delve deeper into rosemary. Rosemary is such a multifunctional, powerful herb and I always like to have a good supply of it at home in case I need it.

don’t you love those old botanical drawings of plants? Here you can see the woody and strong nature of rosemary along with its more delicate flowers.

The Story of Rosemary

Rosemary has a long history. It comes from the Mediterranean region and was first discovered around 5000 BC. Proven in writing on stone tablets in Mesopotamia.

The ancient Egyptians used rosemary in their funeral rituals, possibly due to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, which would have aided in the mummification process. Branches of it were already 3000 BC. Found in tombs. There is no more written evidence for rosemary until it appeared in Pedanius Dioscorides’ “De Materia Medica” published between AD 50 and 70.

This is the cover of a 1554 version of the De Materia Medica.

Sometime in the early 2000s, during the Han Dynasty, rosemary made its way to China. We’re all aware of Eastern Medicines’ love of herbs, so Rosemary has likely made a wonderful addition to their portfolio of medicinal herbs.

There is no record of when rosemary first arrived in England. We assume that the Romans introduced it when they invaded England in the 1st century. However, there are no direct records of it, and the first mention comes in the 8th century. It is believed that Charlemagne is responsible for the spread of rosemary in England. He was a herbalist and ordered rosemary to be grown along with many other herbs in the kitchen gardens of nunneries and convents.

In 1338 Jeanne of Valois sent Queen Phillippa a letter describing the use of many different types of herbs, together with a cut of each herb. Included in this letter was rosemary. Joan of Valois intended the herbs to be planted in the palace gardens, and many of these herbs have been staples in English cottage gardens ever since. The original letter Jeanne sent still exists and is in the British Museum.

Rosemary was brought to America by European settlers in the 17th century, from where it spread to the rest of the world.

What is rosemary used for?

Rosemary has many, many uses. During the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries) it was used to ward off negative energies and evil. It was placed under pillows to ward off nightmares and burned in homes to keep the plague away. The idea that rosemary offers protection and purification continues to this day and is often used to purify sacred places.

It used to be very common for a married couple to include rosemary in their wedding. The bride would wear a rosemary headdress, and the groom and guests would also wear a sprig attached to their clothing. It is believed that this tradition was started because rosemary could improve your memory and recall. Wearing a remembrance herb meant the bride and groom were more likely to remember their sacred vows. Guests would wear rosemary so that they can better remember the event.

If you are getting married, consider going back to old traditions and wearing a rosemary crown. Did you know Anne of Cleves wore one when she married Henry 8th?

Rosemary would be planted at the door of the newlyweds’ home, the idea being that if the plant would take root and thrive, so would the marriage. Traditional use in weddings meant that it soon became known as the love herb and was included in many love charms and spells.

Fun fact: Rosemary was no longer planted in front of houses by the late 15th century because of an old saying, “where rosemary bloomed, the woman reigned,” meaning that the men of the household would feel emasculated and would uproot the rosemary bushes. Oh, the joys of a fragile self…

The medieval male ego was out of control! Imagine being so frail that you were intimidated by a herb bush?

The ancient Greeks also believed that rosemary helped with memory, and scholars were known to wear crowns of rosemary to improve their memory during exams. Rosemary is still associated with remembrance today and is often worn at memorial services. During Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand it is customary to wear a twig on the mantle, although this is now being adopted by the poppy.

Medicinally, rosemary has had a variety of uses. It can help with digestive problems, heartburn, gas and loss of appetite. It can help treat gout, coughs, headaches, blood pressure problems, stress and depression. Rubbing rosemary oil onto the skin increases blood flow, which can help relieve muscle pain and is especially good for those with arthritis. Rosemary oil has also been suggested as a treatment for hair loss. Because it stimulates blood flow, especially to the head and brain (hence it’s good for focus), it can help prevent premature hair loss.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. If you have medical problems, we ask that you consult a trained physician. Any advice given here is my own opinion and should in no way replace the advice of a doctor.

can you eat rosemary

Yes absolutely! Rosemary is a very safe herb to eat in normal amounts. It has been classified as safe by the FDA. It’s a delicious addition to many recipes. My favorite pairing is roast potatoes with rosemary. It can also be used to add an interesting touch to cocktails.

Can anyone say no to a delicious cocktail? Vodka and gin both pair really well with rosemary.

What Are the Side Effects of Rosemary?

There are not very many negative side effects of rosemary. Experiments on rats have found a very low toxicity rate even at high levels when consumed for long periods of time. However, it is important to know that there can be some side effects.

Rosemary can affect your fertility. In experiments, scientists gave rats high doses of rosemary leaf extract for long periods of time. They found that the rats that consumed the extract experienced a decrease in the size of their reproductive organs. They also showed a decrease in the density, mobility and count of their sperm. All this means that the rats that consumed the extract showed a noticeable decrease in fertility compared to the rats that did not consume the extract. Female rats impregnated by rats that had consumed rosemary extract also had lower rates of successful pregnancies.

In another study, a slightly higher rate of pregnancy failure was found in rats when rosemary leaf extract was given prior to implantation. However, once implanted, rosemary extract did not appear to affect the pregnancy. I would like to point out that I am only sharing research that has already taken place and do not endorse animal testing.

It is interesting to note that there are ancient remedies containing rosemary that women would use if they wanted to terminate a pregnancy. Rosemary can cause uterine contractions, which can increase bleeding, which in turn can lead to miscarriage.

Rosemary can also raise blood sugar levels, so it’s not recommended if you have diabetes.

Rosemary definitely won’t cause that kind of sugar…

Can rosemary grow in the shade?

Short answer: yes, rosemary can grow in the shade but prefers the sun. It is a member of the mint family and can tolerate relatively harsh conditions. It is dry and can survive for a long time without water. Rosemary prefers full sun and thrives when planted in a sunny but sheltered environment. It does not appreciate the cold and must be brought indoors when the temperature drops below -5 to -10 degrees Celsius. Many people living in colder climates like to grow it in pots so that when it goes below zero they can bring the plants indoors to protect them.

However, if you live in a warm climate you can plant rosemary in partial shade and it should still grow well. Just make sure you have really good drainage as rosemary hates wet feet.

This is how rosemary likes to grow. Give it sun and good drainage and it will thrive.

Does Rosemary Help You Sleep?

I’m on the fence about if I think rosemary will help you sleep. On the one hand, it is a mood enhancer and regulator that can relieve stress and depression, both of which can lead to insomnia. Rosemary plants can filter the air and improved air quality has been shown to lead to better sleep.

On the other hand, it can induce vivid dreams, which I think lead to very restless sleep. Other people disagree with me on this point, believing that vivid dreaming can help process troubling information that causes insomnia. Dreaming can definitely help you clarify situations you are unsure about, but if you have persistent sleep problems I’m not sure if rosemary is the best herb for you. I would suggest lavender instead as it has been shown to be calming.