ROSEMARY.
Rosemarìnus officinàlis.—Romarin, Fr.—Rosmarin, Ger.
A native of the south of Europe, the Levant, and found occasionally in the Grecian isles. It is propagated from the seed, or by planting slips or cuttings in the early Spring months. Rosemary has a fragrant aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste; the leaves and tender, tops are the strongest; the flowers, by themselves, are much weaker but more agreeable. This herb is reckoned one of the most powerful of those plants which stimulate and corroborate the nervous system; it has, therefore, been recommended in various affections supposed to proceed from debilities. It is generally given in the form of an infusion.
RUE.
Rūta gravèolens.—Rue, Fr.—Rante, Ger.
Is a hardy shrub, and a native of the south of Europe. It is propagated in a similar manner to the Rosemary, and requires the same cultivation. The common Rue has a strong, ungrateful odor, and a bitter, hot, penetrating taste. The leaves are so acrid as to irritate and inflame the skin if they are much handled. Rue was much used by the ancients, who ascribed to it many excellent qualities. It is employed by some as a tea, and also externally, in various kinds of fomentations. A conserve, made by beating the fresh leaves with thrice their weight of sugar, is the most commodious form for using the herb in substance. It is a powerful astringent, and adapted to phlegmatic habits, or weak and hysterical constitutions suffering from retarded or obstructive secretions.
