Ingredient Watch: Rosemary
To the ancient Greeks and Romans Rosemary was sacred, symbolic of loyalty, death, and remembrance, as well as scholarly learning. At weddings and important occasions, wherever solemn vows were made, garlands and headdresses of rosemary were worn, as an emblem of trust and constancy. The tragic Ophelia said, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance”. The plant was also thought to bring good luck, and to impart protection against magic and witchcraft. “Seethe much Rosemary,” advised William Langham (1597), “and bathe therein to make thee lusty, lively, joyful, likeing and youngly”. Rosemary was dedicated by the Ancient Greeks to the solar deity of Apollo, the god of medicine, music, poetry, and prophecy.
Today, rosemary has many, many uses including aiding with acne conditions, dermatitis, baldness, eczema, dandruff, relieving sinus problems, enhancing circulation, sore muscles, and as an aid in wounds. A few of it’s skin-related properties include antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, fugicidal, tonic, and astringent.
This plant and its derivatives (essential oil, extracts, etc.) are widely used in natural skin care, especially for its natural preservative qualities, and are very good ingredients to look for in natural makeup & skin care products.