In Act IV Scene V of Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Ophelia turns to Laertes and says; “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember”.
As far back in history as you can remember, Rosemary has been often used as a plant to help improve the memory. For decades, scientists have been studying the magical power that rosemary has on the brain and consistently returned positive results.
Last weekend Australia and New Zealand commemorated Anzac Day. If you looked closely at the lapels of the returned servicemen on parade, you may have spotted a sprig of rosemary.
The rosemary plant can be found growing wildly across the plains on the Gallipoli Peninsula and holds special significance for Australia. It is frequently worn by returned serviceman on Anzac Day to commemorate the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and Remembrance Day for Armistice at the end of World War One in 1918.
The tradition is not just reserved for commemorating these two events either. The tradition has continued at funerals where sprigs of rosemary are either carried by the mourners or laid on the coffin; connecting grievers to their deceased loved one’s memory.
Rosemary is a small green shrub that belongs to the mint family and can be seen growing in gardens and herb pots by keen cooks. Rosemary makes a beautiful hedge of tiny light blue flowers in your garden and is a cost effective plant to maintain.
Sitting in your garden, the aromatic scent can allow you to settle into a relaxed state as you prepare for meditation.