The Herbal:
Chickweed
Daisies
Horehound
Lavender
Life Everlasting
Mullein
Red Clover
Roses
Rosehips
Rosemary
Sage
St. John's Wort
Tansy
Thyme
Violets
Woodruff
Yarrow
Dew of the Sea, when translated literally from the Latin; a pretty name, and it appeals to me as my rosemary plants live less than two short blocks from the ocean. Rosemary is an evergreen and produces tiny lavender colored blossoms if it is allowed to flower. In many areas it is a perennial plant, though I've yet to find a variety that will winter over here in Nahant. As well, I've refrained from the tempation to bring the plant inside during the winter as I've been told that it is prone to all kinds of bugs, particularly white flies.
Rosemary for remembrance. Throughout history Rosemary has been a part of man's rituals, signifying both remembrance and love. It has had its place in weddings and funerals throughout time as a symbol of these things.
Where Rosemary flourished, the woman ruled. Other folklore tells us that healthy Rosemary in a garden indicates that the house is run by a woman.
And finally, one of my favorites, is the tale that young faeries like to live in Rosemary plants, taking the form of small snakes and reclining on the branches. Now, I don't know about the truth of this story, but I do know that my garden is full of small snakes.
Rosemary is a stimulant and when taken internally may in fact help improve both the memory and the mood. Externally, the essential oil has been used for centuries to condition and cleanse the hair, and when massaged into the scalp it may encourage better hair growth. Add a bit of lavender essential oil to the mix, and a marvelous fragrance is created.
Fact and fable aside, in my opinion Rosemary infused white wine is one of the best things about summer. Simply take a large handful of freshly cut Rosemary branches, place them in a large glass container, and pour in a bottle of your choice of white wine. Cover and allow to steep in the refrigerator for about a week, remembering to shake the mixture daily to help extract the Rosemary's oils. At the end of the week, remove the Rosemary branches and then strain the wine through a coffee filter to remove any remaining plant matter. Sip slowly, very cold, and enjoy.
In that I do not drink, I use de-alcoholized wine for this recipe and find that it works very nicely. The Rosemary adds a nice zing to the beverage and I do find it to be uplifting.
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