Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a woody, perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family native to the Mediterranean region. Sweet and herbal, it's a common ingredient in food and drink, and is believed to improve both memory and recall.

The word rosemary comes from the Latin phrase os marinus, meaning "dew of the sea." It's a romantic enough expression, but is meant quite literally here; the plant thrives in the rocky coastal regions of the Mediterranean. Standard varieties can grow to be three feet tall, although some overachieving varietals grow to stand at a whopping six feet.

Wild rosemary flowers in late spring, when it sprouts buds in seaside shades of white and blue. Its sweet, herbal taste makes it a delicious addition to countless cuisines, though it shows up most often in Mediterranean fare and in herbs de provence. You'll find it outside the kitchen too in perfumes, incense, candles, shampoo, and even cleaning products. That's thanks to the fact the rosemary plant contains salicylic acid, the forerunner of aspirin now commonly found in skincare products.

Back in 1987, researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey patented the food preservative rosmaridiphenol, derived from rosemary and now used in plastic food packaging and cosmetics. Its uses extend past packaged goods though; the herb has long been used to aid in memory. It's fittingly been used as a symbol of remembrance for the dead, with mourners throwing the herb into graves. It's because of this time-honored tradition that rosemary grows in abundance on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where many Australians died during WWI.

Sir Thomas Moore was once quoted saying, "As for Rosmarine, I lett it runne all over my garden walls, not onlie because my bees love it, but because it is the herb sacred to remembrance, and, therefore, to friendship; whence a sprig of it hath a dumb language that maketh it the chosen emblem of our funeral wakes and in our burial grounds."

In ancient Greece, scholars would wear wreaths of rosemary to improve recall while taking exams. The botanical also frequently featured in weddings for the same reason, sometimes even being planted at the wedding venue to help the couple remember their vows. The saying "Where rosemary flourished, the woman ruled," caused many husbands to uproot the plant.

The herb was also thought to dispel negativity, and was therefore placed under pillows to ward off nightmares. Us? We use the plant in our personal care line, where its extract softens hands and its essential oil lends a fresh, herbaceous aroma. In AMASS Dry Gin and Riverine, the herb lends a lovely sweetness and long finish. Add a sprig to your next cocktail to bring out the flavor even more.