Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen plant of the mint family native to the Mediterranean region.  It has needle-like dark green leaves with flowers that which could be white or pink, but mostly are blue.

It is a very popular spice and highly valued in the culinary world. However, do you know that this pleasing aromatic plant is associated with many legends and traditions?

• It was said to awaken Sleeping Beauty.
• Fairies take the form of snakes and and lie among rosemary bushes.
• Greek mythology says it was draped all over Aphrodite when she rose from the sea.
• Ancient Greek scholars would braid twigs of rosemary into their hair or make wreaths for their heads. They believed it will boost their memory and enable them to succeed in exams.
• Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, had said to put rosemary sprigs to the manger where baby Jesus was laid to protect the baby from bugs.
• Mary, the mother of Jesus, when they fled from Egypt had spread her cloak over a rosemary bush and as a result the flowers of the bush turned blue. (Since then the bush was named Rose of Mary.)
• The bush will grow not taller than the height of Jesus, and will only live up to 33 years.
• During the Middle ages, 
• people brewed rosemary with vinegar and use the concoction to wash the feet of thieves, as they believed it would remove the thieves' inclination to steal or any criminal action.
• it was believed to grow only in the garden of the righteous.
• it was often entwined in a wreath and worn as a crown by the bride to represent fidelity, love, true friendship, and a remembrance of the life that the bride lived as a girl.
• rosemary was believed to protect people from plague (no wonder if its price went up six times during England's Bubonic plague)
• rosemary were planted in graves to remember the deceased

Well, there are many other legends regarding the plant, however, nowadays, the plant was known to have many benefits.

• Rosemary leaves contain Vit. A, Vit.C, folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium - which are essential for the body's normal function. 
• It also contains compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal, and anti-septic properties.
• Rosemary's flower tops contain anti-oxidants and essential oils used in aromatherapy.
• Rosemary essential oil can relieve anxiety, indigestion, headache, joint pain, cold and flu, and poor blood circulation. 
• It can also promote hair growth and cure dandruff.
• Tea or detox water made from rosemary leaves can help people loss weight (though not recommended for pregnant women or people with high blood pressure or people taking diuretics pills).
• The aromatic smell of rosemary plants can ward off mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and bugs. AND EVEN cats, to prevent them from pestering your garden with their "craps" or scratching your favorite spots. Dried sprigs can also deter mice.

So, there, aside from flavoring your food, above are a lot of reason to grow rosemary in your garden or cultivate it indoors through pots.