Rosemary

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis General Description Rosemary is an herb in the mint family. It is a small evergreen shrub, Rosmarinus officinalis, whose 1inch leaves resemble curved pine needles. Geographical Sources Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean. Today it is widely produced in France, Spain, and Portugal. Traditional Ethnic Uses Rosemary is used primarily in Italy in lamb, pork, chicken, and rabbit dishes. Taste and Aroma Rosemary has a tealike aroma and a piney flavor. History/Region of Origin Rosemary's name is rooted in legend. The story goes that during her flight from Egypt, the Virgin Mary draped her blue cloak on a Rosemary bush. She then laid a white flower on top of the cloak. That night, the flower turned blue and the bush was thereafter known as the "rose of Mary". Greeks, who wove Rosemary wreaths into their hair, believed Rosemary strengthened the brain and enhanced memory. It was also known as a symbol of fidelity. In the Middle Ages, Rosemary was used medicinally and as a condiment for salted meats. In Europe, wedding parties burned Rosemary as incense. Judges burned it to protect against illness brought in by prisoners. Culinary Ideas Rosemary's assertive flavor blends well with garlic to season lamb roasts, meat stews, and marinades. Rosemary also enlivens lighter fish dishes, tomato sauces, and vegetables. Melt butter with Rosemary to dress freshly steamed red potatoes and peas or a stirfried mixture of zucchini and summer squash. Crush leaves by hand or with a mortar and pestle before using.

Botanical Classification

Family	Lamiaceae
Genus and specie	Rosmarinus officinalis

Other names

Rosemarine, incensier and garden rosemary.

Description of the herb rosemary

Rosemary is a hardy bushy perennial shrub with aromatic, evergreen leaves and pale-blue flowers around the stem.

Parts used

The leaves and flowers as well as the essential oil are used.

Properties

Rosemary is a tonic, astringent, restorative herb that relaxes spasm and increases the rate of perspiration, while stimulating the liver and gall bladder. It improves digestion and circulation and controls pathogenic organisms.

It has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, spasmolytic, antioxidant, smooth muscle modulating, analgesic, venotonic, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

It contains phenolic acids (rosmarinic acid), bitter diterpenes (carnosol, rosmanol) triterpenes (oleanic and ursolic acid), triterpene alcohols and flavonoids. The essential oil contained in the plant contains 1,8-cineole, a-pinene, camphor, b-pinene, borneol, iso-bornyl acetate, limonene, linalool, 3-octanone, terpineol and verbinol.

Therapeutic uses

• Internal use
  • It is used with great success for dyspeptic complaints, flatulence and to stimulate appetite and the secretion of gastric juices.
  • It is also used as supportive therapy for rheumatism and circulatory problems.
  • In herbal preparations it can be included to ensure proper circulation to the penis.
  • Furthermore it is used for headaches, as well as for nervous complaints.
  • Rosemary is used widely in Mediterranean cooking and the fresh or dried leaves are used to flavor meat (especially lamb and kid), sausages, stuffing, soups, stews and to make tea. The flowers can also be added to salads.
• External use
  • Externally, rosemary helps to increase circulation and is very often used in hair care products and lotions as it stimulates the hair follicles to renewed activity and prevent premature baldness.
  • It has two important properties – it is an outstanding free radical scavenger and therefore has amazing antioxidant properties, and secondly has an remarkable stimulating effect on the skin.
  • Apart from this, it has good antiseptic properties and is traditionally used for hair and scalp stimulation, as well as anti-aging products.
  • It has rubefacient properties and therefore is most useful when an increase of blood flow is required or when below-par circulation needs to be rectified.
  • Rosemary is an effective treatment against scurf and dandruff.
  • It can also be used in mouth rinses and gargles; and is applied topically to stimulate circulation.
  • It has analgesic as well as antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties.
• Aromatherapy and essential oil use
  • This essential oil helps to clear the mind, sharpen the memory and boost the central nervous system. In the body it helps to clear respiratory congestion, including sinuses and relieving catarrh and asthma.
  • Its analgesic properties are useful for treating rheumatism, arthritis and sore stiff muscles.
  • Furthermore, it stimulates the liver and gall bladder and helps to lower high blood sugar.
  • On the skin, it has a tightening effect and reduces bloating and puffiness. In hair care, it stimulates hair growth and fights scalp problems.
  • It has analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic properties.

Safety precautions and warnings

Rosemary essential oil has a highly stimulating action and may not be suitable for people with epilepsy or high blood pressure.

The essential oil should also not be used during pregnancy.