Rosemary has been esteemed for centuries for its refreshing and aromatic perfume, due to the essential oil it contains, and which even now has a reputation as an application for the hair. It is mentioned by Pliny, and has been cultivated in Britain since the time of the Norman Conquest. On account of its evergreen leaves it was considered an emblem of constancy, and was frequently carried at wedding and funeral ceremonies. It was customary in France at one time, to place a bunch of rosemary in the hands of the dead. The old apothecaries had great faith in the oil as an embrocation, and it was largely used to place among clothes as a preventive of moths.
“Ophelia. There’s rue for you; and here’s some for me: we may call it herb grace o’ Sundays: O, you must wear your rue with a difference.”[34]
Some curious traditions are attached to rue, or, as it was formerly called, the herb of grace, probably on account of its being often worn as an amulet to ward off disease, and also used by the old Romanists in the exorcisms. It has ever been regarded as a symbol of sorrow or pity, as its name implies. The word is probably derived from the same root as Ruth, meaning sorrow and remorse, while “to rue” was to be sorry for.
In ancient times it was supposed to be useful for almost every disease, its properties being due to an essential oil still used in pharmacy.
It was largely employed in affections of the eye and for its antiseptic properties as a preservative to ward off decay.
The plant is not a native of England, but has been cultivated in this country for more than 800 years, and was extensively grown in the old herb gardens.
Euphrasie and rue were often used together as a curative application for the eyes. In Paradise Lost Milton says:—
“Then purged with euphrasie and rue
The visual nerve, for he has much to see”.
Rue was employed also to take away warts, the freshly cut stem being rubbed over the excrescence, and the following couplet repeated:—
“Ashen true, ashen tree,
Pray bury these warts of me”.