OPHELIA'S FAMOUS LINE, "ROSEMARY, THAT'S FOR REMEMBRANCE," EXPRESSED A COMMON BELIEF OF THE DAY; FOR ROSEMARY HAS SYMBOLIZED REMEMBRANCE, FIDELITY, AND FRIENSHIP SINCE EARLY TIMES.  oFTEN IT WAS USED AS A FUNERAL WREATH OR IN WEDDING CEREMONIES, AND IN MEDIEVAL GERMANY, BRIDES WORE IT TO GUARD AGAINST PREGNANCY.  IN ANCIENT GREECE, STUDENTS WORE ROSEMARY TWINED IN THEIR HAIR WHILE STUDYING FOR EXAMS.

Rosemary was a popular stewing herb, both because of its pleasing aroma and because it repels moths and vermin.  A sprig under the bed was said to induce sound sleep and to protect the sleeper from nightmares.

The Romans used rosemary to crown the heads of their guests and household gods.  Christian legend says that rosemary opened up to give Mary and the infant Jesus shelter from Herod's soldieres on their flight into Egypt; hence, its dull white flowers took on the blue color of the Virgin's mantle.

Another Christian legend holds that the shrub does not grow higher than Christ's height on earth and at that at the age of 33 it ceases to grow taller and increases only in breadth. 

Rosemary was probably introduced into England by the Romans, but it is also said to have come to England with Queen Philippa of Hainaut in the 24th century.  In any event, it has flourished there ever since, and is said to be more fragrant in England than in any other land.

Because resemary is the plant of remembrance, it was a favored remedy for all diseases of the brain and the head.  A decoction of rosemary in wine is said to be good for loss of speech, for sore eyes, and for problem skin. The ashes of rosemary were used in England to clean the teeth, and to this day, it is used in preparations for the hair to prevent baldness.

Lord Culpeper, governor of colonial Virginia, recommended cigars made from rosemary leaves for consumption.  He also recommended eating the flowers with bread and salt first thing in the morning to dispel wind, and a rosemary flower to comfort the heart.  Bathing in rosemary water is said to maek one young again, and a tea brewed of the leaves is good for fevers, pains, and colds.  A decoction of rosemary added to the beer barrel was even said to be a cure for drunkenness.

If Lord Culpeper were alive today, he would have made a highly-successful marriage counselor.  Who knows how many marriages might be saved if the bartender would surreptitiously toss in a few sprigs of rosemary when he tapped the keg?

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