Mundane & Magickal Uses Of Rosemary

Plant/herb – Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a fragrant, evergreen shrub which has been widely used for centuries for mundane and magickal applications. In fact, rosemary is one of the oldest incenses, being referred to as incensier in France where it was often used as an incense. 

 

 

Cultivating Rosemary

• Cultivation: Rosemary is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layers, and division of roots.
• Climate: Rosemary prefers a warm, Mediterranean-like climate.
• Soil: Well-draining, light soil is essential. It doesn't like to be waterlogged.
• Sunlight: Requires full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day.
• Watering: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Rosemary is drought-tolerant.
• Pruning: Regular pruning helps maintain a compact shape and encourages bushier growth.

Harvesting and Drying: 

• Timing: Harvest in the morning for the best flavour.
• Method: Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut sprigs.

• Frequency: Harvesting can be done throughout the growing season.

• Rosemary can be air dried in bundles, or in a dehydrator.

 

Mundane Uses of Rosemary:                     

Rosemary is a versatile herb that adds a distinctive flavor to a variety of dishes. Some of the common culinary uses of rosemary include:

1. Roasted Meats: Rosemary pairs exceptionally well with roasted meats, such as lamb, chicken, beef, and pork. You can use sprigs of rosemary as a garnish or finely chop the leaves to rub onto the meat before roasting.

2. Grilled Vegetables: Tossing vegetables like potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers with olive oil and chopped rosemary before grilling

   

   adds a delicious herbal flavor.

3. Breads and Rolls: Add chopped rosemary to bread or roll dough for a fragrant and flavorful twist. Rosemary focaccia is a classic example.

4. Herb-infused Oils: Make rosemary-infused olive oil by combining fresh rosemary with olive oil. Use this infused oil for drizzling over salads or as a dipping sauce for bread.

5. Soups and Stews: Rosemary can enhance the flavor of soups and stews, especially those with a hearty base like bean or potato soup.

6. Potato Dishes: Rosemary complements potatoes beautifully. Add chopped rosemary to mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or potato-based casseroles.

7. Marinades: Create flavorful marinades for meats and vegetables by combining rosemary with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and other herbs and spices.

8. Salad Dressings: Infuse salad dressings with the aromatic flavor of rosemary. It works particularly well with vinaigrette-style dressings.

9. Herb Butter: Blend softened butter with chopped rosemary, and use it as a delicious topping for grilled meats, steamed vegetables,

   

   or warm bread.

10. Sauces: Incorporate rosemary into sauces, such as tomato sauces or cream-based sauces, to add depth and complexity.

11. Infused Vinegar: Create rosemary-infused vinegar to use as a condiment or in salad dressings.

12. Lemonade or Iced Tea: Add a few sprigs of rosemary to homemade lemonade or iced tea for a refreshing herbal twist.

13. Lamb Dishes: Rosemary is a classic herb used in many lamb dishes. It complements the rich flavor of lamb particularly well.

14. Egg Dishes: Add a touch of rosemary to scrambled eggs, omelets, or frittatas for an extra burst of flavor.

15. Desserts: While less common, rosemary can be used in certain desserts, especially those featuring lemon or other complementary flavors. Consider rosemary-infused syrups, shortbread cookies, or lemon-rosemary cakes.

Aromatic Uses:

Rosemary is widely appreciated for its aromatic qualities in aromatherapy and day to day life. It has a scent similar to that of pine. The parts used include the fresh leaves, dried leaves, and essential oil. Here are some aromatic uses for rosemary:

1. Potpourri: Create homemade potpourri by combining dried rosemary with other aromatic herbs, flowers, and spices. Place the mixture in bowls or sachets around your home.

2. Herbal Sachets: Fill small fabric sachets with dried rosemary and place them in drawers, closets, or other enclosed spaces to impart a fresh and herbal scent.

3. Herbal Wreaths: Craft wreaths using fresh or dried rosemary

   

   sprigs. Hang them in your kitchen, on doors, or in other areas to add a delightful fragrance.

4. Aromatherapy: Inhale the scent of rosemary essential oil for its potential mood-boosting and invigorating properties. You can use an essential oil diffuser or add a few drops to a bowl of hot water.

5. Room Sprays: Create a homemade room spray by combining rosemary essential oil with water in a spray bottle. Spritz it around your home for a natural air freshener.

6. Scented Candles: Look for or make candles with a rosemary fragrance to enjoy the herb's aroma while creating a cozy atmosphere.

7. Bath Products: Add rosemary essential oil to your bath salts, bath bombs, or shower gels for a relaxing and aromatic bathing experience.

8. Scented Drawer Liners: Line your drawers with paper infused with the scent of rosemary for a subtle fragrance in your clothing.

9. Incense: Burn rosemary as incense to enjoy its aromatic properties. You can use dried rosemary sprigs or purchase rosemary incense sticks.

10. Aromatic Fire Starters: Bundle dried rosemary with other aromatic herbs and tie them together. Use these bundles as fire starters for a fragrant and cozy fireplace experience.

11. Refreshing Linen Spray: Mix rosemary essential oil with water in a spray bottle and lightly mist your linens for a refreshing and natural scent.

12. DIY Air Fresheners: Make your own air fresheners by combining dried rosemary with other herbs, citrus peels, or spices. Place these mixtures in breathable bags or containers around your home.

13. Car Fresheners: Place a small sachet of dried rosemary in your car or add a drop or two of rosemary essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in the vehicle for a natural car freshener.

14. Herbal Infused Oils: Infuse carrier oils (such as jojoba or almond oil) with dried rosemary to create a scented oil that can be used for massages or as a natural perfume.

    

15. Scented Crafts: Incorporate rosemary into homemade crafts, such as scented candles, soaps, or potpourri sachets, to add a touch of aromatic charm.

*Always be cautious when using essential oils, as they are highly concentrated and should be diluted properly before use.

 

Medicinal Uses:

Rosemary, particularly has been traditionally used in various medicinal systems for its healing properties. 

 

Some of the benefits of Rosemary include:

1. Hair Growth: Rosemary has been touted to help stimulate hair growth.
2. Pain relief:  It has anti-inflammatory properties that assist in muscle pain relief.
3. Memory Enhancement: Some studies suggest that the aroma of rosemary may enhance memory and concentration.
4. Insect repellent: Rubbing a balm made with rosemary on the skin is said to help repel insects.
5. Diuretic: Rosemary is a diuretic herb and is often used for reducing puffiness and fluid retention
6. Relieve colds & respiratory illness: inhaling the steam of
   
   rosemary will help to relieve respiratory illness.
7. Antimicrobial: due to its antimicrobial action, rosemary is often used in funerary rites in the countries where it naturally grows.
8. Circulation booster:  rosemary added to a bath or cool rosemary tea poured over oneself in the shower can help to improve circulation.
9. Heals Bruises: use a cooled rosemary tea on bruises to bring about quick healing.

Caution: 

* Pregnant individuals should use rosemary in moderation, as excessive amounts may stimulate the uterus.
* Always check for allergies to rosemary prior to use.

The Magickal Properties Of Rosemary:

Folk Names: Dew of the Sea, Sea Dew, Rose of Mary, Old Man, Compass Weed, Incensier, Elf Leaf, Guardrobe, Libanotis, Polar Plant,

Romero (Spanish), Rosmarin (German), Rusmarin (Old French), Romero (Italian), Rusmary.

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Powers: Protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth

1. Protection: Rosemary is associated with protection and is often used in rituals for warding off negativity & evil. It is said that placing rosemary underneath one’s bed will protect the sleeper from all harm.
2. Fidelity:Rosemary is an herb of fidelity and can be used in spells to promote faithful relationships.
3. Exorcism: Many cultures around the world employ rosemary as one of the ingredients in exorcism spells.  It is said t be one of the best herbs for fighting evil spirits and as such is useful in defensive magick.
4. Remembering: Rosemary not only is said to be able to improve physical memory, but it can also help with the memory of those who have passed on.
5. Dream recollection: Rosemary can be used to aid in dream
   
   recollection, as well as recalling past lives.
6. Purification: It's used for purifying spaces and objects. When rosemary is burned it emits powerful; cleansing and purifying vibrations that drive away negative energies.
7. Memory and Clarity: In some traditions, rosemary is believed to enhance memory, mental clarity, and focus. In ancient Greece it has been said that students wore wreaths of rosemary around their heads while taking exams to help with memory recall.
8. Love and Healing: Rosemary is associated with the goddess Aphrodite. The energies of rosemary are thus associated with love and healing, making it an ideal choice for marriage spells (either for wanting a proposal or for improving an existing marriage) & in some European cultures, brides wore crowns of rosemary on their wedding day.  
9. Attract magickal creatures: Rosemary is said to attract elves to your garden, so if this is your goal, go buy a rosemary plant!
10. Add to incense mixtures as a clarifier: in addition to other ingredients in incense, rosemary acts as a clarifier, cleansing the path for the other ingredients to work their magick without interference.

How To Use  Rosemary For Magick

1. Burn dried rosemary as a loose incense in a censer/ thurible.
2. Bundle rosemary and use it as a smoke cleansing stick /smudge stick (If you would like to see how to do this, visit my blog post here).
3. Crush dried rosemary in a mortar and pestle and add to spells and sachets.
4. Prior to performing magick, place rosemary on a charcoal disc and let it smoulder to remove any negative energies.
5. Place a sachet containing rosemary under your pillow to drive
   
   away nightmares and promote a good sleep (as well as dream recollection).
6. Hang rosemary on your doorstep to protect against thieves.
7. Create a youth enhancing magickal bath by infusing rosemary in your bath water and soaking in its essence.
8. Take a healing poppet and stuff it with rosemary to promote healing.
9. Add rosemary to love and lust incense mixtures for love spells.
10. Place a rosemary wreath on your door to keep away unwanted visitors. (if you would like to read about how to make your very own DIY rosemary wreath, read my blog post here)
11. Burn rosemary on charcoal & smell its smoke to enhance memory and increase mental cognition.
12. Rosemary burnt as a single ingredient incense is used for banishing evil & purifying oneself of illness and negative energies/curses etc.
13. Grow rosemary to attract elves.
14. When creating witch bottles for protection, rosemary can be added as a replacement for nails/blades & other pointy things.
15. Substitute Rosemary for frankincense if you do not have access to frankincense.
16. Burn Rosemary and juniper berries to promote healing.

The Magickal benefits of this herb are not set in stone. These magickal benefits are from a Eurocentric viewpoint, as is my personal background and what I am familiar with. 

Do your own research before working with each ingredient always and consult sources from your own ancestral background. What is right for me in my situation, may be completely wrong for you.

Let us know what you think about this fantastic plant. Do you grow it? If so, what has been your experience with it? Do you use it for mundane purposes, magickal purposes, or both? We'd love to hear your experiences.

Please note: The author of this blog is not a medical professional & the information presented in this blog is solely for entertainment and informational purposes. No information contained within this bog is intended to serve as professional advice of any description. Please consult a healthcare professional if you are seeking treatment for any medical condition.  If you choose to perform any type of self-treatment or follow advice off the internet you do so at your own risk.

References:

Diaz, J. (2020). Plant Witchery (pp. 278-9). Hay House.

Nock, J.A. (2019). The Modern Witchcraft Guide To Magickal Herbs (pp. 131-2). Adams House.

Cunningham, S. (2022). Cunningham's Encyclopedia Of Magickal Herbs (2nd ed., pp. 218-219). Llewellyn Publications.

Mastros, S. L. (2018). The Big Book Of Magickal Incense (pp. 62-64). Weiser Books.

Grieve, M. (1978). A Modern Herbal (pp. 681-683). Penguin Books.