I fell in love with the herb rosemary long ago. Maybe it was because of the aroma or its shape or maybe the fact that it produces those tiny clusters of blue flowers along the branches. I just know that it is a favorite herb that I keep year-round.

After I became a master gardener volunteer, I found some additional information about rosemary. It’s not just another pretty herb. Few herbs throughout history had as much symbolism attached to it as rosemary.

To the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, it was considered a sacred plant associated with love, death, renewal, immortality, purity and remembrance.

Garlands were worn on the heads of scholars to improve memory. Rosemary was believed to strengthen endurance and mental clarity, uplift the spirit and protect against evil influences. Romans claimed rosemary could fight fatigue.

Centuries before the use of refrigerators, rosemary was used as a preservative for meats and other foods. Because of its high antioxidant activity, ancients would wrap their meats crushed in rosemary leaves to control pests.

In folklore, rosemary is used to show friendship, purification, happiness and remembrance.

Today rosemary is a popular essential oil with claims of stimulating hair growth, reducing pain, eliminating headaches, strengthening the immune system and conditioning the hair. Properties of the oil are stated as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective.

In the kitchen, rosemary is used for seasoning meats and vegetables. I’ve used it both fresh and dried to add a distinct flavor to my foods. I absolutely love the aroma it gives. And since I enjoy crafts, I’ve also used rosemary sprigs to make wreaths and dried rosemary for potpourri. It’s like lavender — just run your hand along the sprig to enjoy the aroma.

I bring my rosemary in every winter. My rosemary is 5 years old. The three most important things to consider when overwintering rosemary in the house are:

1. Light: A sunny location is best.

2. Temperature : Keep it cool. Avoid drafts and furnace ducts blowing on it.

3. Water: Give it a little sprinkle once a week, mist it, and keep humidity high with water on a plate nearby.

I keep my rosemary in the sunroom near a south window, and I keep the temperature cool, between 62 and 65 degrees. Mine has well-drained soil, and I only water them when the soil feels dry. I take frequent clippings to keep it from getting too leggy. When new growth starts in spring, it makes for a bushier plant.

The best part of keeping rosemary indoors is being able to touch it to release its fragrance. While smelling rosemary is supposed to enhance cognitive function, I still can’t find my car keys when I need them.

Of course, if your rosemary doesn’t make it, you can always use the dried leaves in various recipes. But let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

For more information, go to http://go.osu.edu/rosemary .

Kostelic is Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.