Perhaps.
Shakespeare, Hamlet
Act 4, Scene 5
Ophelia: There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance; pray, love, remember; and there is pansies, that is for thoughts… There’s fennel for you, and columbines, there’s rue for you and here’s some for me; we may call it herb of grace o’ Sundays. O you must wear your rue with a difference. There’s a daisy. I would give you some violets, but they wither’d all when my father died. They say he made a good end. – (sings) “For bonny sweet Robin is all my joy”
Ophelia’s rambling, somewhat confused speech refers to symbolic flower associations all related to the circumstances surrounding her father’s death. She begins with rosemary it seems, not for memories, but because she knows that it along with the other plants she mentions help to relieve pain of the heart. Her reference to remembrance translates to an English funeral tradition where those grieving laid rosemary bunches onto their loved one’s coffins as a symbol that they would never forget.
I’m not sure how the idea that rosemary will help with memory retention or recall became so intertwined with this quote, but tradition and modern science support it. Rosemary’s chemical constituents increase the uptake of cellular oxygen in the brain to support and stimulate memory. Herbalists know it as a vital formula ingredient for mental clarity.
I invite you to do your own experiment. You can easily make these truffles; the hardest part is collecting the herb powders. I promise the research will also be delicious.
Last, as I write this, the current world chaos and constant tragedy pull my heart to sadness over and over. I identify with Ophelia’s madness, despair, and grief. I’m not sure what else there is to say.
Servings | Prep Time |
24balls | 20minutes |
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- For herb powder blend
- 2 teaspoons tulsi powder (holy basil)
- 2 teaspoons chaga mushroom powder
- 1 teaspoon bacopa powder
- 1 teaspoon gotu kola powder
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary powder
- For truffles
- 1/2 cup walnuts, ground for coating truffles
- 1/2 cup organic tahini sesame seed butter
- 1/4 cup organic raw honey
- 5 1/2 tbsp herbal blend powder
- 1 tbsp goji berries, dried
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cacao powder
- If using walnut pieces, chop fine. Put nuts into a food processor and pulse for a few seconds at a time until chopped, being careful not to turn to paste. Remove chopped walnuts to a rimmed plate and set aside. If using walnut meal, measure onto plate and set aside.
- Measure and mix herb powders together in a small bowl. Sir together gently so as not to disturb powder as it is light and may disperse a bit into the air.
- In medium mixing bowl, combine tahini and honey and stir together until smooth.
- Add herb powders and mix together to form a thick batter.
- Stir in goji berries and cacao powder. Add enough cacao powder so mixture resembles a dough.
- Form into 1 teaspoon balls by rolling between your palms and then coat with chopped walnuts.
- Store covered and refrigerated. Truffles will keep for 2-3 weeks.
* I purchased the powdered herbs for these truffles from Mountain Rose Herbs and Banyan Botanicals.
* Using organic ingredients will make these truffles even more nourishing. If available, use organic tahini, honey, cocoa powder, and herbs.
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