Open Your Mind with Rosemary
Rosemary is a gift from the sea, sprung from the waters of the primordial ocean, it made a home along the sunny coastline of the Mediterranean basin. The plant’s Latin name, Salvia rosmarinus, speaks to its origins – Salvia meaning “to heal” and rosmarinus meaning “dew of the sea.”
Dew of the Sea
Some say the name likely refers to how Rosemary flourishes in coastal, misty environments, drawing nourishment from the salty, humid air that sweeps in from the sea. While others suggest the name alludes to the plant’s ability to survive with minimal water, drawing moisture from the air like dew.
Where Rosemary flourished, the woman ruled.
Grieve, Maud A Modern Herbal, 1982
A symbol of feminine sovereignty, Rosemary has long been identified with power, memory, and protection. The Treasury of Botany alludes to the belief that Rosemary will not grow well except where the mistress is master. This belief was so deep-rooted that the Lords would intentionally injure thriving Rosemary to destroy any notion that the Lord was not the authority.
(Greive, 682)
Rosemary Correspondences
ENERGETICS
Warming
Drying
Stimulating
ELEMENT
Fire
Air
POLARITY
Yang
AFFINITY
Mind / Intellect
CELESTIAL
Sun
Mercury
STAR SIGN
Aries
GIFTS
Memory
Clarity
Purification
Protection
PARTS USED
Leaves
Twigs
Flowers
AROMA
Aromatic
FLAVOR
Spicy
Pungent
TISSUE STATES
Cold
Damp
Wind
INDICATIONS
Poor Circulation • Mental Fatigue • Brain Fog • Headaches • Nervous Tension • Anxiety • Indigestion • Muscle Pain & Spasms • Menstrual Cramps • Respiratory Infections
ACTIONS
Stimulant • Nervine
Antispasmodic • Carminative
Circulatory Tonic • Antioxidant Anti-inflammatory • Antimicrobial Emmenagogue
ACTIONS
• Stimulant
• Nervine
• Antispasmodic
• Carminative
• Circulatory Tonic
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Emmenagogue
Note: This is my interpretation of Rosemary; you are free to find meaning in the plant as it speaks to you!
Body System |
Parts Used |
Action |
 Cognition |
Leaf (tea, tincture, aroma) | Stimulates memory, focus, mental clarity; lifts fog and supports alertness. |
 Circulation |
Leaf (tea, tincture, topical) | Warms the periphery, invigorates blood flow, moves stagnation. |
 Digestion |
Leaf (tea, tincture) | Increases bile flow, reduces bloating, eases gas, supports sluggish digestion. |
 Respiration |
Leaf (inhaled, tea) | Opens the chest, clears dampness, antimicrobial and expectorant. |
 Muscle Function |
Leaf (oil, liniment, bath) | Relieves sore muscles, eases cramping, improves tone. |
 Follicle Health |
Leaf (infused oil, rinse) | Stimulates hair growth, boosts scalp circulation, antimicrobial for scalp care. |
Heart Stimulator
Rosemary’s resilience in dry, hot conditions mirrors its fiery nature. As a fire herb, imbued with yang nourishing energy, its warming properties act as a heart stimulator, encouraging circulation and invigorating the body. This stimulation enhances cognitive function, sharpening memory, increasing clarity, and improving focus – making it a potent mind opener.
MIND OPENER
A mind opener helps dissolve blocks, stagnancy, rigidity, and mental fog, allowing for greater adaptability, heightened perception, creativity, and expanded awareness.
The mercurial herb is believed to enhance cognition through its active compound 1,8-cineole, which increases blood flow to the brain. Some studies suggest that the herb may also help increase acetylcholine activity in the brain by preventing its breakdown. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter vital for learning and memory, improving retention and recall.
When enjoyed as a tea, Rosemary is perfect for boosting productivity and sparking creativity. Try rosemary, rosehips, fennel, and mint as a herbal tea mix.
MERCURIAL HERB
A mercurial herb embodies the quick, sharp, and dynamic qualities associated with “planet” Mercury – governing the mind, communication, adaptability, and the nervous system. These herbs often stimulate cognition, enhance clarity, and facilitate movement, whether in thought, speech, or circulation.
Rosemary’s aromatic oils are known to support recollection.
Smell is linked to memory, offering a direct pathway to the past through the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. The olfactory senses have no filters, bypassing cognitive processing to create an immediate, visceral connection to emotion and experience – smell is powerful!
Beyond its cognitive benefits, Rosemary’s aroma has a calming effect on the nervous system. It lowers stress levels by reducing the stress hormone cortisol, due to rosmarinic acid, a compound known for its neuroprotective properties.
To aid memory, inhale the aroma of Rosemary while looking at, reading, or contemplating the information you wish to remember. The scent can also help clear memory fog later on.
mind
parasites
The mental plane exists beyond the physical brain, a realm of thought and abstract ideas. While the brain functions as a biological processor, controlling bodily functions and interpreting sensory input, the mental plane transcends these boundaries, existing beyond tangible neural networks. Free from material limits, it fosters creativity but also harbors distortions – mind control, programming, and intrusive thoughts. Thought parasites feed on fear and doubt, clouding perception. Rosemary, a protective and purifying force, dispels these intrusions, restoring clarity.
Digestive Tonic
Rosemary contains phytochemicals like carnosol and carnosic acid, which stimulate bile production, essential for breaking down fats and improving nutrient absorption. As a carminative herb, it helps relieve gas and bloating. Rosemary is also thought to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to a balanced microbiome. Its antimicrobial properties help fight harmful germs, supporting overall digestive health.
Wind Expeller
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Rosemary is known for its ability to expel “wind” and support the respiratory system. Its expectorant properties help clear mucus and phlegm, easing breathing, while its aromatic compounds open nasal passages and improve airflow, offering relief during respiratory illnesses.
MUSCLE SOOTHER
Rosemary’s warming effect disperses cold tissue states, and is particularly beneficial at relieving muscle tension and promoting healing in injured tissues. By increasing blood circulation, it delivers vital nutrients and oxygen, crucial for tissue repair.
Rosemary’s flowers range in shades from pale blue to deep violet-blue, depending on the variety and growing conditions. These colors are often linked to the head, mind, and higher consciousness, reinforcing Rosemary’s traditional use in supporting memory and cognition.
HAIR REJUVENATOR
It makes sense that Rosemary is a herb for hair considering its affinity for the head space. Hair symbolizes personal power and vitality, and many cultures believe it holds special powers and memories; hence, when someone cuts their hair, it is a symbol of renewal.
Rosemary supports hair growth by increasing blood flow to follicles, promoting cell regeneration, and potentially blocking DHT, the hormone linked to hair loss. Rich in ursolic and carnosic acids, it soothes the scalp, reducing inflammation. A 2015 study found rosemary oil as effective as 2% minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia, with participants reporting less scalp irritation. A 2023 study showed Rosemary and Myrtle extracts also matched minoxidil’s effectiveness.
Weave Rosemary into your hair while studying for enhanced mental retention.
sacred smoke
Rosemary is a guardian, a protector of the mind, memory, and sacred space. Burned in cleansing rituals, it purifies, fortifies intentions, and safeguards. Rosemary has extensive use in breaking harmful witchcraft/magic. It compliments Sage, Cedar, and Mugwort for purification, Lavender for calming energy, and Thyme for protection.
GROW ROSEMARY
Rosemary is a hardy, aromatic herb that makes a great container herb or a companion plant that deters pests like carrot flies. It thrives in dry conditions *think Mediterranean,* but it flourishes as an annual in colder regions.
SOURCES
• National Library of Medicine: Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): Health-promoting benefits and food preservative properties
• A 2023 study explored the combined effects of Rosemary and Myrtle extracts on hair regrowth in AGA.
• In a 2015 study, rosemary oil was compared to a 2% minoxidil formula, the leading hair loss treatment better known as Rogaine®, to see if the herb could match its effectiveness.
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I am not a medical professional. Rewild + Grow is for informational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated these statements, and they are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
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