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Cultivated for over 5,000 years , the rosemary plants chronicle is understandably plunge in fable , myth , and folklore . Rosemary herbal uses pass the gamut of medicinal cure , culinary delights or even as a erotic love charm . Its really no wonder why its cause aroma and spirit have continued to catch mass for centuries .

Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) has been used medicinally dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans in 500 B. C. Dried sprigs of rosemary even showed up in Egyptian grave from 3,000 B. C.

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Both Pliny the Elder and Galen lived at the same metre as Discorides . In his work De Materia Medica , which has been the standard for 1,400 yr on how to use and describe medicinal herbs , Discorides also wrote about rosemary .

In the 13th hundred , the Spanish started grow rosemary . From the 15th century to the 18th , it was a popular path to season salt meats . To be more accurate , I think it was used less as a condiment and more to obscure the flavour and sense of taste of waste nitty-gritty .

genus Rosmarinus come from the Romance word for “ dew ” ( ros ) and “ belonging to the sea ” ( marinus ) , which refers to the warm Mediterranean realm where it was first find . The vulgar name of rosemary is , of row , derived from the genus name but with a twist .

accord to a tale , Mary , the female parent of Jesus , hid next to a rosemary bush as she function away from Egypt . She threw her blue mantle onto the bush and the white blossom turned drear . The flower has been called the “ rose wine of Mary ” for a foresighted time because of this , even though it does n’t look like a rose . or else , it look more like mint flower , which is related to rosemary .

With its pine tree - comparable fragrance and delicate blue flowers , rosemary is a darling herb in garden and kitchens around the world But where does this iconic flora actually come from ? Tracing the origins and history of rosemary reveal how this versatile herb journey across continents over chiliad of years to earn its plaza as one of the most widely recognized and used herbs today

Native Origins and Habitat of Rosemary

The rosemary plant life ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) is native to the Mediterranean region originating in an region along the Mediterranean Sea spanning Portugal Spain , France , and Italy . Within this neighborhood , rosemary rise wild in the hillsides along the coastline where conditions are idealistic .

Rosemary flourish in full sun and well - drained , arenaceous grease . It evolved to survive in the hot , dry summertime and modest winters characteristic of a Mediterranean clime . In the wild , rosemary can rise into a woody , perennial shrub reach out over 5 feet grandiloquent . Its needle - like evergreen plant leaves and light blue blossom brandish along cheery coastal Benny Hill .

Ancient History and Lore of Rosemary

With origins dating back thousands of year , rosemary has a long account of both culinary and symbolic use in Mediterranean culture . Some key points in the ancient history of rosemary include :

The name rosemary derives from the Latin “ ros marinus ” think of “ dew of the ocean , ” speculate its close necktie to the Mediterranean coastline . hero-worship by many cultures over thousands of years , rosemary accrued a rich lore and significance across the Mediterranean region .

Migration and Spread of Rosemary Across Europe

While rosemary start in the Mediterranean . over time it spread out beyond this part and became naturalized elsewhere in Europe

As trade , geographic expedition , and empire construction allowed with child exchange between the Mediterranean and northern Europe , Rosmarinus officinalis follow these routes and spread out its stretch . Although susceptible to frost , once established it can expand in cooler mood .

Modern Use and Popularity of Rosemary

Today , rosemary is grow globally both for its culinary U.S. and ornamental merits :

After centuries of fabled history intertwined with Mediterranean refinement , rosemary now holds a darling shoes worldwide as a versatile , easy - to - grow herb bringing scent , flavor , and peach wherever it grows . The rich legacy of rosemary lives on , even far from its ancestral Mediterranean family , thanks to its timeless ingathering and usefulness .

Additional Rosemary Plant History

Rosemary is consort with remembrance . Its earliest use was probably by Greek bookman . They put fragrant garland of the herb into their haircloth , which is where the other name for rosemary , “ herb of crowns , ” comes from . When I tailor my rosemary , I do this : I stick the herb into my sweaty , knotty tomentum . I ca nt recall if it helps my memory , but it sure does ameliorate my aroma .

The HISTORY of ROSEMARY – Where does rosemary come from?

FAQ

Where did Rosmarinus officinalis originally come from ?

Where is rosemary grown in the US ?

Where does rosemary flora grow best ?

Does Rosmarinus officinalis get of course ?

Where does Rosemary come from ?

Rosemary is native to the ironical , rocky areas of the Mediterranean , especially along the sea-coast . The genus name Rosmarinus derives from the Latin actor’s line ros and marinus which together transform to “ dew of the sea . ” Rosemary has been used since the time of the early Greeks and Romans .

Is Rosemary a perennial ?

If you live in Zones 7 and strong , it originate easily as a perennial evergreen bush that live for many class . Rosemary is brave down to 15 to 23 ° F ( -10 to -5 ° C ) , so it may need winter shelter . In colder sphere , rosemary should be grown in a sight and brought indoors for the wintertime .

How long does Rosemary take to mature ?

Clusters of little , light blue to white peak come out in saltation and summertime . Plant rosemary in USDA geographical zone 8 to 10 in the saltation when temperature stay between 55 level and 80 degrees Fahrenheit or acquire indoors as a houseplant . Rosemary has a moderate growth rate , reaching its mature size between 2 and 6 feet tall after several class .

Is Rosemary comestible ?

When grow rosemary as a culinary herb , it ’s best to harvest in the spring and summer when it ’s actively place on new growth . Rosemary grow as a compendious woody shrub . While all the farewell are technically edible , we usually only eat the tender leaves that form at the confidential information of new branches . Indoor Herb Garden : How to Get Started !