By Maryann Readal

Rosemary, The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month for November, is going through an identity crisis. Since the mid-18th century, the botanical name for rosemary has been Rosmarinus officinalis. However, after DNA research on the plant, scientists at the Royal Horticultural Society in London have decided that the characteristics of rosemary are more closely aligned with the Salvia genus and have, therefore, reclassified rosemary as Salvia rosmarinus. The common name will continue to be rosemary, however. John David, Head of the RHS Taxonomy Group, stated that “we cannot ignore what science is telling us, and clarity on a plant’s DNA helps us better understand its growth habits and cultural needs” (RHS, N.D.). Along with rosemary, Russian sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia, was also reclassified as a Salvia, as well as a few other garden plants.

But whether rosemary is classified as salvia or as rosemary, it will always be considered a rosemary to today’s gardeners. It will always have the same medicinal and culinary uses. It will always have the same stories and legends associated with it. This new identity challenge will only add another interesting chapter to its history. 

The first mention of rosemary was found on cuneiform tablets in 5000 BCE. Early Egyptians used it for embalming. Since Greek times, rosemary has been considered the “brain herb,” one that could increase memory and alertness. For that reason, Greek students wore crowns of rosemary when taking their exams. The historic Queen of Hungary Water, or Hungary Water, an infusion of rosemary in alcohol, was created by a monk to cure the headaches and joint pain of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary in the 14th century. The Queen claimed that it worked!

Religious lore also includes stories about rosemary. Since early times, rosemary has been associated with the Blessed Mother, who supposedly threw her cloak over a white-flowered rosemary bush while escaping Herod with her family. Legend has it that when she picked up her cloak, the white flowers had turned to blue. And there is an old belief that a rosemary bush could never grow higher than 6 feet in 33 years, because it could not stand taller than Christ (Kowalchik, 1998).

During the Middle Ages, people believed that rosemary could protect them from evil spirits. So, they placed rosemary under their pillows and hung branches outside their doors. The herb did double duty when people placed rosemary branches on their floors in order to keep their houses fragrant and insect-free. During the times of the plague, branches were burned in the home because it was thought that it would keep sickness away. 

Rosemary was, and still is, considered to be the herb of remembrance. Sprigs were placed in wedding bouquets as a symbol of fidelity. Historically, a sprig of rosemary was placed on a coffin or given to those attending a funeral (Brown, 2023). (Editor’s Note: For a reference to this practice in an important archaeological discovery at Historic St. Mary’s City, Maryland, see The Lead Coffins Project Collaboration – Research – Historic St. Mary’s City – A Museum of History & Archaeology at Maryland’s First Capital “Understanding What You Have” section.) Shakespeare’s works contain many references to herbs, rosemary being one of them. In Act IV of Hamlet, the unbalanced Ophelia opens her speech at her father’s funeral with “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray you love, remember.” There have been many interpretations of these nine words: Was Ophelia asking for remembrance of her father or was she foreshadowing remembrance of herself after her untimely death? (Christianson, 2023; Isabel, 2022).

Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean area, where it thrives in well-draining, sandy soil and plenty of sunshine. Its name means “dew of the sea,” recalling its native habitat. It is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8-10, although recent cold winters in Zone 8 make hardiness in that zone questionable with the exception of the ‘Arp’ cultivar, which can withstand lower temperatures. Rosemary is an evergreen plant with very fragrant, needle-like, gray-green leaves. It blooms December through April, although its blue-white flowers may appear throughout the summer as well. It is deer resistant. There are many varieties of rosemary, including a prostrate variety, which looks great cascading over a wall or in a container or hanging basket. Prostrate or upright rosemary can be grown in a container and overwintered inside in colder climates. However, the roots are susceptible to root rot if the soil does not drain well.

Rosemary is also a culinary herb that can be used fresh or dried. It accents the flavor of meats, fish, and vegetables, and is a great addition to stews, stuffing, vinegars, herbal salts, and butters. Its essential oil is used in perfumes, soaps, lotions, and shampoos, while the fragrant flowers and leaves are used in sachets and potpourris.

For more information about rosemary, please see The Herb Society’s Herb of the Month : Herb Information : Learn and follow postings about the herb on The Society’s Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest social media.

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Rosemary plant (Salvia rosmarinus syn. Rosmarinus officinalis) (M. Readal); 2) St. Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary (Public Domain); 3) Salvia rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’ (M. Readal); 4) Prostrate rosemary in container (M. Readal); 5) Galician Garbanzo soup with rosemary (Ruthie Hansen, Creative Commons).

References:

Brown, Barbara. 2023. Rosemary. Texas Gardener: November/December 2023, pg. 20-21.

Christensen, Tricia. 2023. What does “rosemary for remembrance” mean? https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-rosemary-for-remembrance-mean.htm

Kovalchick, Claire and William H. Hylton, Editors. 1998. Rodale’s illustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press. 

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. N.D. Salvia rosmarinus. Accessed 10/12/23. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=444418&isprofile=1&basic=rosemary

Royal Horticultural Society. N.D. Rosemary becomes a sage. Accessed 10/12/23. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/articles/misc/rosemary-becomes-a-sage

Steven, Isabel. 2022. Rosemary for Shakespeare. Accessed 10/12/23. https://rosenbach.org/blog/rosemary-for-shakespeare/.

Maryann is a board member of The Herb Society of America and a Texas Master Gardener. She is a member of The Society’s Texas Thyme Unit in Huntsville, TX. Maryann is also a certified Native Landscape Specialist. She lectures on herbs and plants and does the herb training for several Master Gardener programs. She gardens among the pines in the Piney Woods of East Texas.