INCENSIER HEALTH & BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Incensier health care and beauty products are manufactured by Ad Lunam Labs Inc. Our Incensier
product line includes skin rejuvenation creams, bath oils, and nutritional supplements. These products
contain an array of powerful antioxidants that are extracted from rosemary. The word "incensier" means
rosemary in an old French dialect.
The history of rosemary is a story spanning thousands of years and is a story steeped in myth and
tradition. Starting with its strong association to the ancient Greeks and Romans, rosemary captivated
these people for its mystical and healing powers. Hellenistic and Roman gardens almost always
contained rosemary bushes. Moreover, rosemary was believed to grow only in the gardens of the
righteous and protected one from evil spirits. Today, as in the past, rosemary continues to capture the
attention of those who seek its usefulness in the preservation of health and beauty.
Brought to Britain with the Roman armies, rosemary over the centuries spread its influence through
Europe and eventually to the New World.
In addition to the widespread belief in its cosmetic benefit, rosemary is again and again mentioned
throughout the annals of European history for its properties of purification and its healing powers.
Rosemary's long thought ability to increase circulation and strengthen blood vessels has also
associated it with memory, remembrance and the heart (love). Let us look at a few examples from the
saga of the majestic rosemary plant.
Beginning with the written word as early as the fifth millennium B.C., references to rosemary were found
written in cuneiform on stone tablets. Pedanius Dioscorides (ca.40 to ca.90), a Greek physician,
pharmacologist and botanist practiced in Rome during the time of Nero. His most famous writing, the
five volume "De Materia Medica" is one of the most influential herbal books in history. Dioscorides
recommended rosemary for its "warming faculty". In addition to its importance in the history of herbal
science, the "Materia Medica" also enlightens us about the herbs and remedies employed by the
Greeks, Romans and other cultures of antiquity.
The first book printed in English which could actually be called an herbal is Blanckes' Herbal published
in England circa 1525. Of all the various and diverse herbs listed in Blanckes' the characteristics and
attributes of this "dew of the sea" are perhaps the most fascinating and charming. An excerpt from
Blanckes' recommends cosmetic uses for rosemary; "boyle the leves in whyte wyne and wasshe thy face
therwith . . . thou shalt have a fayre face." Further advice includes . . ." make thee a box of the wood
(rosemary) and smell to it and it shall preserve thy youthe." A rosemary tea is also touted in Blanckes'
"for much worth against all evils of the body". Among medicinal benefits claimed include a topical
application for gout; "if thy legs be blown with the gout, boil the leaves (rosemary) in water and then take
the leaves and bind them in a linen cloth about thy legs, and it shall do much good."
Gervase Markham (1568-1637), an English writer and poet, included high praise for rosemary in his
most famous work "English Housewife" first published in 1615. He writes; "Rosemary water (the face
washed therein both morning and night) causeth a fair and clear contenance." Furthermore; "when one
maketh a bath of this decoction, it is called the bath of life, the same drunk comforteth the heart, the
brain, and the whole body, and cleanseth away the spots of the face; it maketh a man look young . . ."
Nicholas Culpepper (1616-1654) was an English botanist, herbalist and physician, who spent the
greater part of his life cataloging hundreds of medicinal herbs. His two great works "The English
Physician" (1652) and the "Complete Herbal" (1653) vastly contributed to our knowledge of the
pharmacological properties of herbs. Dr. Culpepper devoted himself to using herbals to treat the
illnesses of his patients, greatly criticizing what he considered the unnatural methods of his
contemporaries. Ultimately, he transformed traditional medical knowledge and methods via his quest for
improved solutions for ill health.
The use of herbals by Culpepper was key to the development of modern day pharmaceuticals most of
which originally had herbal origins. Culpepper was one of the pioneers to translate documents
discussing medicinal plants found in the Americas from the Latin. The impact on medicine in the North
American colonies by Culpepper's translations and approach to using herbals was incalculable. His"
Complete Herbal" was so highly regarded in the colonies that many of the species that he touted were
imported to the New World from England.
One of the most flattering descriptions of the benefits of rosemary(rosemary water) was set forth by Dr.
Culpepper. Among the attributes he ascribed to rosemary; "the (rosemary) water is an admirable cure-
all remedy of all kinds of cold, loss of memory, headache and coma. It receives and preserves natural
heat, restores body function and capabilities, even at late age. There are not that many remedies
producing that many good effects." ("Pharmacopeia Londoniensis", Nicholas Culpepper, 1653).
As to rosemary's power to enhance memory, we have a multitude of testimonials. Sir Thomas More
(1478-1535) (aka Saint Thomas More) English lawyer, author and statesman wrote, "As for rosmarine, I
lette 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 . . .” Shakespheare's Ophelia appeals to Hamlet,
"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance, pray you love, remember."
Students in ancient Greece wore garlands of rosemary around their necks, or braided it into their hair to
improve their memory during exams. Others would place it in their pillow at night to enhance memory
during sleep.
Shakespheare's Juliet was honored at her burial with rosemary for remembrance. Early Europeans
commonly threw sprigs of rosemary into graves as a symbol that the dead would not be forgotten. In
ancient Egypt, rosemary was placed in the tomb to remember the dead, used in the bouquets of funeral
flowers and even utilized in the embalming practices of that time. The tradition of tossing rosemary
sprigs into the grave did not end in England until the 19th century. This tradition was memorialized in
the lines of George Sewell (1687-1726), English poet and physician;
"All must be left when Death appears,
In spite of wishes, groans, and tears;
Not one of all thy plants that grow
But rosemary will with you go."
Unfortunately Dr. Sewell died indigent and alone, afforded neither a memorial at his grave nor a sprig of
rosemary for remembrance.
Rosemary is still today regarded as the funeral flower signifying respect and remembrance for the
departed. The honored war dead are annually commemorated on ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand
Army Corps) Day by the wearing of small rosemary sprigs in the coat lapel, pinned to the breast or held
in place by medals. This, yet again, is done for remembrance.
On a lighter note, rosemary has been a long standing fixture in the lore of romance and matrimony. As
the symbol of remembrance and fidelity rosemary has been used for centuries in courtship and
weddings. According to English folklore if a girl placed a plate of flour under a rosemary bush on
midsummer's eve, her future husband's initials would be written in it. Others believed that to see your
true love in a dream one should put rosemary under your pillow.
Sleeping Beauty was said to have been awoken from her sleep by Prince Charming brushing a
rosemary sprig over her cheek.
Rosemary has long held a prominent role in the wedding ceremony. Used in weddings to help one
remember the wedding vows, the bride and groom might dip rosemary in their wine cups to toast each
other. Dried rosemary has been laid in the bed linen to ensure faithfulness and a bride who gave her
groom a sprig of rosemary to hold on their wedding night would ensure that he remain faithful. In the
middle ages the more elegant couples gave rosemary as a wedding favor to their guests. Sprigs were
often dipped in gold and tied with a beautiful ribbon, this to symbolize that though the couple were
starting a new life they would always remember their friends and family.
Rosemary has been celebrated in song for its power over memory. Simon and Garfunkel in 1966
revitalized an old Elizabethan ballad, "Scarborough Fair".
"Are you going to Scarbourough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there,
For she once was a true love of mine."
And, the Elizabethans knew “Rosemary for love and faithfulness; rosemary to remember.”
French legend has it that if a man didn't like the scent of rosemary, he would be an inferior lover.
Empress Josephine is said to have asked Napoleon to wash in rosemary water before entering her
bedchamber. Perhaps this explains Napoleon's obsession with rosemary. It is said to have been his
favorite perfume.
Chardin, "Perfumer of Their Imperial and Royal Majesties", recorded Napoleon's use of 162 bottles of
rosemary water in the first three months of 1806. Napoleon also favored rosemary for its qualities of
restoring bodily vitality, brain stimulation and its antiseptic properties. In his book, "Memories of Saint
Helena", Victor Masson wrote that Napoleon was such a fan that as he lay dying, two of Chardin's
perfumed pastilles(compressed herbs burnt to release medicinal properties) were burning in his
bedchamber. And, once again rosemary exhibited its magical power over love and remembrance.
Despite many affairs, eventual divorce and even remarriage, the Emperor Napoleon's last words as he
died on the Island of Helena in 1821 were "France, the Army, the Head of the Army, Josephine," thus,
passing into immortality their great love affair.
Rosemary Water subsequently became so popular that it was the first herbal product to be commercially
produced and marketed.
As for English royalty, Anne of Cleves wore a "rich crown of stone and pearls set with rosemary in her
hair" when she became King Henry the Eighth's fourth wife in 1540. However, even the power of
rosemary could not prevent renowned womanizer King Henry from forgetting his wedding vows. Four
months later the marriage was doomed as he succumbed to the charms of Catherine Howard, lady-in-
waiting to Queen Anne. Yet many, many couples have had far more good fortune with the rosemary
used in their wedding ceremonies. Today brides in Europe still wear the traditional sprig of rosemary in
their hair.
Medicinally and for purification rosemary was a mainstay in the practices of early medical and
sterilization techniques. During the plague of 1665 it was carried and sniffed to protect against
contamination from the dreaded epidemic. It was carried in either a pouch (ladies handbag),
handkerchief or perhaps in the head of a gentleman's walking stick.
Tradition asserts burned rosemary emits powerful cleansing and purifying vapors and vibrations.
Rosemary is one of Earth's oldest incenses. Rosemary has been burned for centuries in sick chambers
to purify the air, specifically in French hospitals during war (through WWII) to kill germs. It also was
burned in churches and courtrooms and other public arenas for its antiseptic properties, hence the
French name “incensier.”
Centuries before the advent of the refrigerator, rosemary was used as a preservative for meats and
other foods. Because of rosemary's high anti-oxidant activity, ancients would wrap their meats in
crushed rosemary leaves. The freshness would be preserved and thus the smell and taste would
remain pleasant. Rosemary was also used to control pests such as mosquitoes, fleas (the carrier of the
plague) and moths.
During the Middle Ages, rosemary was spread on the floor at midnight on Christmas Eve so as people
walked on it the fragrance would fill the air. There was a belief that those who smelled rosemary on
Christmas Eve would have a year of health and happiness. Thus, the long tradition of rosemary in
Christmas wreaths and other holiday decorations was started.
Perhaps one of the more amusing tales of rosemary's magic involves Queen Elizabeth of Hungary
(1305-1381). Suffering from severe rheumatism and gout the Queen (aged 72) turned to the healing
powers of the rosemary plant. She began using a variant of rosemary water, also referred to as
Hungary (Budapest) Water, allegedly given to her by a hermit who claimed that "it would preserve her
beauty and health until her death." In fact, legend claims, the treatment so enhanced her health, vitality
and appearance that she, using her own words, "was not only cured, but recovered my strength, and
appeared to all so remarkably beautiful that the King of Poland asked me in marriage." (From a text by
John Prevost, published 1656). By the way, the King was 26 years old. Take from this what you may.
We do know that as we discover more about the chemical structure of rosemary and its anti-oxidantal
properties, the myth of the past is quickly becoming the reality of the future. As we continue to unlock
the mysteries of the rosemary plant; we are validating the many applications of rosemary that have
been utilized for centuries. Yet, what can the marvelous rosemary do for you?
Using the knowledge acquired over centuries and improving upon the techniques of the past, we have
formulated our incensier health care products that are highly saturated with the rich chemical
ingredients that empower the magical rosemary plant. Our predecessors were on to something. They
knew of the power of rosemary, now we have released it. Let Incensier awaken the Sleeping Beauty in
you.
Copyright 2008, Ad Lunam Labs, Inc.