Rosemary

Therapeutic usesInternal use
It is used with great success for dyspeptic complaints, flatulence and to stimulate appetite and the secretion of gastric juices.
It is also used as supportive therapy for rheumatism and circulatory problems.
In herbal preparations it can be included to ensure proper circulation to the penis.
Furthermore it is used for headaches, as well as for nervous complaints.
Rosemary is used widely in Mediterranean cooking and the fresh or dried leaves are used to flavor meat (especially lamb and kid), sausages, stuffing, soups, stews and to make tea. The flowers can also be added to salads.
External use
Externally, rosemary helps to increase circulation and is very often used in hair care products and lotions as it stimulates the hair follicles to renewed activity and prevent premature baldness.
It has two important properties – it is an outstanding free radical scavenger and therefore has amazing antioxidant properties, and secondly has an remarkable stimulating effect on the skin.
Apart from this, it has good antiseptic properties and is traditionally used for hair and scalp stimulation, as well as anti-aging products.
It has rubefacient properties and therefore is most useful when an increase of blood flow is required or when below-par circulation needs to be rectified.
Rosemary is an effective treatment against scurf and dandruff.
It can also be used in mouth rinses and gargles; and is applied topically to stimulate circulation.
It has analgesic as well as antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties.
Aromatherapy and essential oil use
This essential oil helps to clear the mind, sharpen the memory and boost the central nervous system. In the body it helps to clear respiratory congestion, including sinuses and relieving catarrh and asthma.
Its analgesic properties are useful for treating rheumatism, arthritis and sore stiff muscles.
Furthermore, it stimulates the liver and gall bladder and helps to lower high blood sugar.
On the skin, it has a tightening effect and reduces bloating and puffiness. In hair care, it stimulates hair growth and fights scalp problems.
It has analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic properties.

Magical Uses
Rosemary, a hardy evergreen shrug, has been used in folk magic for centuries. Ancient Romans would burn it during their sacrifices. It was planted on graves to bring immortality to the dead. It was also worn as a bridal wreath to represent fidelity.

Love
Rosemary’s name comes from the Latin rosmarinus. It means “dew of the sea,” making this fragrant herb the domain of the love goddess Venus.

Rosemary is used to attract love in modern Witchcraft. It can be ground up and put in sachets that are placed under the bedroom pillow to attract dreams of a future lover. Rosemary sachets can also be placed in your undergarments drawer to attract a sexual partner. To bring love to your doorstep, tie three sprigs of rosemary together with red thread and place the sprigs under your doormat. To bring or keep love in the bedroom, place the bound sprigs between the mattress and boxspring.

Protection

Rosemary has long been used in folk magic as protection against illness and evil spirits or negative energy. For a ritual cleansing in the spring, open all the windows to your home and burn dried rosemary, smudging, to rid your home of any nasties lurking about.

Rosemary also makes a good strewing herb. To maintain protection and health, you can place sprigs of rosemary under the rugs and under sofa cushions. Rosemary can also be ground finely with a mortar and pestle. Use the rosemary powder to cleanse and protect rooms by putting a pinch of the powder in each corner of every room.

Memory
Even in Shakespeare’s time rosemary was believed to improve ones memory. Many people drink rosemary tea for this very reason. Students may also want to keep a pouch of this herb on them when they are studying and test taking.

Fertility
For those seeking to increase their fertility, make a penny offering beside a rosemary shrub. You can also tie five sprigs of rosemary together with white thread and place them under the mattress.

Versatility
The ways you can use rosemary in magic are virtually endless. A dried stick from the shrub can be used as a mini wand for love, fertility, memory, and protective magic. You can use the fresh herb to make an herbal wreath or use a few leaves to flavor your favorite tea. Dried rosemary can be used alone in sachets and pouches or it can be mixed with other herbs to further empower your intentions. If you are seeking new ways to use rosemary for magical purposes, search through herbal craft books at you local library. Your imagination is the limit