No plant has perhaps been as renowned in ancient times and as popular in the Middle Ages as rosemary. The Romans dedicated it to the goddess Venus and adorned their homes with it. Many beliefs surrounded this herb: it was thought that rosemary could bring joy and happiness, ward off bad dreams, and most importantly, preserve youth.
This shrub received special attention at the courts of French and Italian kings, where young sprigs adorned with pale lilac or blue flowers were cut in bundles for queens and ladies-in-waiting to take rosemary baths and treat various ailments with its extracts. Known as “Magical Rosemary” in the Louvre, it was cultivated by court gardeners to reach heights of up to six feet in pots.
Rosemary blooms from February to May, and with careful care, it can bloom again in September. Its pleasant, sweet aroma comes from the leaves, which contain a significant amount of essential oils and resinous substances.
This drought-resistant and heat-loving plant is also cultivated in our country—in Crimea, in many regions of the Caucasus, and in some areas of Central Asia. There, rosemary can survive the winter outdoors. When temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), its above-ground parts often die back, but they regrow in spring. In northern regions, it is dug up for the winter.
Rosemary is grown for medicinal purposes, as well as for use as a spice and as a decorative houseplant. The leaves and tips of the shoots are harvested during flowering for medicinal use.
In modern medicine, rosemary is used as a digestive aid and a nerve tonic, serving as a good stimulant for weakness and exhaustion following serious illness or due to excessive physical or mental strain. The essential oil found in rosemary is used for rubbing in cases of convulsions, paralysis, and dyspepsia.
Here’s how to prepare a rosemary infusion:
Steep 2 teaspoons of dried leaves in 200 ml of boiling water, let it sit, and after cooling, consume it throughout the day.
Bulgarian medicine recommends rosemary infusion for internal use in cases of epilepsy, to regulate menstrual cycles, for jaundice, and to ease menopausal symptoms.
Rosemary contains a small amount of alkaloids that temporarily raise blood pressure and strengthen heart contractions, which should be considered when taking its decoctions during times of fatigue. It stimulates appetite, cleanses the gastrointestinal tract, and regulates its function. Folk medicine suggests using rosemary decoctions for dropsy.
In many European countries, rosemary is also known as a culinary herb. In the past, it was added to salads and sauces. During the Middle Ages, it was placed in cupboards and chests as a moth repellent. This is why people sought to grow rosemary both in gardens and indoors.
Every home cook can grow rosemary on their windowsill. This hardy plant can withstand prolonged drought but requires frequent watering in the summer for optimal growth. Rosemary can be propagated in spring by taking cuttings from the tips of the shoots. Cuttings measuring 1.5 to 2 inches (3.5 to 4.5 cm) should first be planted in a nursery bed, where they will root in about 3 to 3.5 weeks with regular moisture. To encourage quick root formation, they can be covered with plastic wrap or jars. Rosemary can also be grown from seeds, which germinate easily. The soil mixture should consist of turf, leaf mold, and sand (4:2:1).
In the summer, the plant should be moved to a balcony. It should be brought indoors before frost, as sudden temperature changes can lead to excessive leaf drop.
Every early spring or even mid-February, the crown should be pruned.
It’s important to know that the ideal winter temperature for rosemary is between 54°F and 57°F (12°C to 14°C), which will encourage abundant blooming in spring.