In this issue
Newsletter 4
'Oil of Remembrance'
'There are many essential oils and herbs which are truly beneficial for forgetfulness.'
Rosemary: The 'Oil of Remem-brance'.
Dear Health-Lover
Have you ever walked into a room only to find yourself standing there wondering what you went there for? Have you ever been half way through a conversation and then forgot what you were talking about? How about writing an exam, knowing that you know the answer but just can’t remember? Sometimes I just put it down to the fact that I have too much to remember and most of the time, my dear friend ‘Diary’ who is always at my side, comes to the rescue. However, it can’t help me half way through a conversation or when I walk into a room and can’t remember what I went there for! As for writing exams, well the diary wouldn’t be allowed, would it? There are many essential oils and herbs which are truly beneficial for forgetfulness. This month, I’d like to touch on one of these.
First of all, let’s take a look at how Essential Oils could benefit our memories. The part of the brain which stores memories of experiences and facts is called the hippocampus. By inhaling certain aromas, our brain cells can be stimulated to respond - our brains are given a little ‘nudge’ and the effect can be the same as someone actually giving you a nudge with the elbow – it can actually jolt you into remembering something!
One of these Essential Oils is Rosemary. In fact it has long been known as ‘The Oil of Remembrance’. This was probably made famous by Shakespeare when Ophelia said, “There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance…” In Ancient Greece, scholars wore garlands of Rosemary to improve their memory and concentration.
Plant of the Month
Plant of the Month
Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis)
Research
Properties
Usage
Rosemary in the kitchen
The meaning of the word Rosmarinus is “dew of the sea” and the name could have been given because of its dew-like appearance from a distance, or the fact that one of the areas where it can be found growing is in coastal areas around the Mediterranean. It thrives in well-drained soil in full sun. It is frost hardy given a little shelter from the cold but doesn’t take kindly to cold, wet winters. It grows to about 2m high (6ft) and 1.5 – 2m (5-6ft) wide. Remember to take the size into consideration when planting as it will save the plant from being hacked to fit a smaller area.
Research:
A study showed that Rosemary is definitely useful for those who would like to be able to concentrate and remember more effectively. Compared to Lavender, “Rosemary produced a significant enhancement of performance for overall quality of memory” Moss M, Cook J, Wesnes K, et al. Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. Int J Neurosci 2003; 113(1):15-38.
Diego MA, Jones NA, Field T, et al. Aromatherapy positively affects mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. Int J Neurosci 1998;96:217-224Properties:
Some of the Properties of Rosemary: Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and neurotonic. Due to the antiseptic properties of Rosemary, the leaves were burned to purify French hospitals.
Ways to use Rosemary Essential Oil
Vaporizer: Sprinkle about 4 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil onto crystals in the vaporizer to assist with memory.
Please note that care must always be taken when using essential oils particularly with children and the elderly. The information supplied is purely suggestions and is not intended to diagnose or treat any particular illness. Please consult a qualified Therapeutic Aromatherapist for individual assistance and to find out about other Essential Oils which help memory.
Caution: Use Rosemary in very small quantities. Do not use during pregnancy or on people with epilepsy or high blood pressure.
ROSEMARY IN THE KITCHEN:
Soft tips of the plant can be chopped and used in cooking but remember that Rosemary does have a very strong flavour, so don’t use too much of it. An alternative is to cut a sprig, add it to food and remove before serving.
Flowers can be added to salads.
Fresh sprigs can be added to pretty bottles of olive oil for use in salad dressings – this also makes a wonderful inexpensive gift. For Rosemary Oil, wash and dry the Rosemary, push into clean, dry bottles with the tips facing upwards, cover with olive oil and cork. Once you start using the oil, it’s a good idea to remove the Rosemary to prevent mould from forming on the section no longer covered by the oil.
Strip leaves from the branches, sharpen one end and store them for use as skewers on the ‘braai’ (barbeque). Soak them in water before using so that they don’t catch alight. The variety Rosmarinus ‘Tuscany Blue” is in particular an excellent variety to use as it has long straight branches.
More About
Rosemary
By Janet Visée
(Dip Pharm, B.Compt, RT.Cert.of RASA, Int.Cert. of London, Dip.
Aromatherapy).
More about Rosemary
The herb rosemary is a circulatory stimulant, therefore with increased
blood circulation; increased oxygen reaches all parts of the body
including the brain!
Rosemary is one of the rich herbal sources of anti-oxidants. This is why
it was used successfully over the centuries as a food preservative. The
anti-oxidants helped prevent fats from turning rancid in meat. Fish,
when heavily covered in rosemary will keep it fresh for a number of days
unrefrigerated. In heart disease arteries that should be nourishing the
heart have become clogged due to plaque being deposited on the coronary
artery walls. Anti-oxidants help prevent this from happening.
Rosemary tea
Why not enjoy a cup of rosemary tea as part of your wellness program and enjoy the vitality, energy and “remembrance” this ancient valued herb can give you. It is advisable to drink only one cup of rosemary tea per day for a week at a time as part of your preventative health care. Herbs are more powerful than we realize and must be taken in moderation. Add 1 teaspoon of dried or 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs to 250ml of boiling water. Allow to steep for 10 minutes before drinking. Honey and lemon can be added if preferred.
Janet is the Chairperson of the Herb Association (HAoSA) and founder of Morula Herbal Centre. For more information, visit Morula at www.morulacentre.co.za.
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Regards
Deirdre Holt
Founder and CEO
Essential Harmony
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