March is all about these beautiful smells that come along with Spring, and at the SNFCC, we are all looking forward to them!
Prompted by the Senses, and specifically, those of Smell and Taste, the plant of March is the aromatic Rosemary. At the Mediterranean Garden, the Western Walks, the Green Roofs, the Esplanada, wherever one looks at the SNFCC, one finds a Rosemary plethora. The Rosemary, also known as Arismari, is an aromatic, perennial, and evergreen shrub, which belongs to the Rosmarinus genus and the Heilanthes family. The Rosmarinus genus includes Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly referred as Rosemary Medicinal, and several other varieties, such as Rosmarinus officinalis - 'Barcelona', 'Corsican Blue', 'Tuscan Blue', 'Ulysse' and 'Sappho', which we also meet at the SNFCC.
The name "Rosemary" derives from the Latin words ros and marinus meaning “The dew of the sea”, as it was considered a plant capable of growing without watering, only with the moisture coming from the sea. It is no coincidence that it also grows in rocky mountainous areas. It is also one of the most characteristic plants of the Mediterranean flora, although today it is cultivated as an ornamental, for its beautiful blue - purple flowers, in almost all of Europe and the temperate regions of America.
It is dense, multi-branched, and usually reaches 2 meters. The leaves are broad, green above, and white grey below, with dense, short, woolly hair, similar to hemlock needles. The flowers are in groups and come out in the axils of the leaves.
The main Rosemary flowering happens in early spring, while there is a second smaller one in autumn. It is a beekeeping plant and strongly attracts bees. The stems have a pleasant aroma like that of tea, while their taste is slightly bitter and spicy.
The Rosemary is also very well known for its use in perfumery, soap making, cooking and confectionery, as well as for its healing nature. More specifically, the Rosemary essential oil comes from the flowers, the leaves and soft branches with steam distillation, and used in medicine against rheumatism, various mouth irritations, as well as cough. It is believed to promote and improve memory, while also tackle early Alzheimer symptoms and senile dementia.
The Rosemary, as a symbol of beauty, well-being, and the elixir of youth, is said to have been the gift of goddess Aphrodite to humans. Another myth wants goddess Aphrodite the day of her birth from the womb of Heaven, and while emerging from the sea, wearing a necklace of blooming Rosemary around her neck. In regard to the ancient Greeks, they used it in religious ceremonies and celebrations, to decorate buildings, temples and as an incense burner, while they never failed to wear a rosemary wreath, anytime they studied hard. Rosemary was also very important, as an antibacterial herb, used in French hospitals, till the beginning of the 20th century, to disinfect the air of the rooms.
You can get the handmade soap with essential oils of SNFCC-grown rosemary from the SNFCC online store or during your visit to the physical store.
