Of Rosemary
The Description.
ROsemarie is a wooddy shrub, growing oftentimes to the height of three or foure cubits, especially when it is set by a wall: it consisteth of slender brittle branches, whereon do grow very many long leaves, narrow, somewhat hard, of a quicke spicy taste, whitish underneath, and of a full greene colour above, or in the upper side, with a pleasant sweet strong smell; among which come forth little floures of a whitish blew colour: the seed is blackish: the roots are tough and wooddy.
The Place.
Rosemary groweth in France, Spaine, and in other hot countries; in woods, and in untilled places: there is such plenty thereof in Languedocke, that the inhabitants burne scarce any other fuell: they make hedges of it in the gardens of Italy and England, being a great ornament unto the same: it groweth neither in the fields nor gardens of the Easterne cold countries; but is carefully and curiously kept in pots, set into the stoves and cellers, against the injuries of their cold Winters.
Wild Rosemary groweth in Lancashire in divers places, especially in a field called Little Reed, amongst the Hurtle berries, neere unto a small village called Maudsley; there found by a learned Gentleman often remembred in our History (and that worthily) Mr. Thomas Hesketh.
The Time.
Rosemary floureth twice a yeare, in the Spring, and after in August. The wilde Rosemary floureth in June and July.
The Names.
Rosemary is called in Latine, Rosemarinus Coronaria: it is surnamed Coronaria, because women have beene accustomed to make crownes and garlands thereof. The Vertues.
The distilled water of the floures of Rosemary being drunke at morning and evening first and last, taketh away the stench of the mouth and breath, and maketh it very sweet, if there be added thereto, to steep or infuse for certaine daies, a few Cloves, Mace, Cinnamon, and a little Annise seed. The Arabians and other Physitions succeeding, do write, that Rosemary comforteth the braine, the memorie, the inward senses, and restoreth speech unto them that are possessed with the dumbe palsie, especially the conserve made of the floures and sugar, or any other way confected with sugar, being taken every day fasting.
The floures made up into plates with Sugar after the manner of Sugar Roset and eaten, comfort the heart, and make it merry, quicken the spirits, and make them more lively.