A Mediterranean sun loving shrub
which has had plenty of time to adapt well to our damper climate since its introduction
by the Romans over 2000 years ago. Although as climate change is now a reality
and our own climate is becoming drier, if not necessarily sunnier, this is the
type of drought loving plant we may need to grow more of.
Its culinary, medicinal uses and lore
are well documented it has a long association with memory and remembrance, the Egyptians
placed it their tombs, the Romans also believed that it brought peace and
contentment to the deceased, in Medieval Times a sprig was handed out at
funerals to cast upon the coffin after it had been lowered into the ground…
William Shakespeare wrote “There’s
rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember; and there is pansies,
that’s for thoughts.
Medicinally it is an antiseptic and
was burnt along with Juniper Berries in sick room and hospitals, during the Plague
of 1665-66, which killed 100,000 people in London alone, the price rose from 12
pence to 72 pence an armful!
It is an ingredient of Hungary
Water which is believed to date from the 14th Century, of which there
have been many variations including Eau de Cologne which has been in production
since 1709 and is still available today.
Such is Rosemary’s link to memory
and remembrance that I have called my social history project recording peoples
memories of plants Rosemary Lane, I welcome all memoires that you are willing
to share of home remedies, cooking, baking, playing, crafts, games... or
memories your parents and grandparents have shared with you, of collecting
hedgerow berries and fruits to make jams and jellies, collecting rose hips and
nettles to help the war effort, making posies for Mothers Day, making bows and
arrows out of twigs...countryside or town, hedgerow or garden, I would love to
hear them and record them for future generations, before this knowledge which
may be key to our survival is lost.
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