Rosemary

(Rosmarinus officinalis L., Labiatae)

Also Called: Romero.

Description:Rosemary is an attractive evergreen bushy, woody shrub, 0.5-2m (1.5-6ft) high with scaly bark on the older branches.
Shoots hairy, bearingpine needle-like leaves that are 15-35mm (0.6-1.4in) long, 1.5-3mm (0.04-0.1 in) broad, strongly revolute with upper surface green, lower surface dull grey.
Pale blue flowers arranged in groups of 2-10 in the leaf axils, about 1 cm (0 4.in) long.
Flowering: mainly March-May but last through spring and summer in a warm, humid environment.
All parts of the plant have a very aromatic odour.
It will grow to a height of between 3 and 5 feet.

Part Used: Dried leaves, rarely the fresh leaves (as a spice), essential oil.

Habitat and Cultivation: Native to the Mediterranean, from Spain and Portugal south to Morocco and Tunisia, where it is also commercially grown.
Not indigenous to Britain but is a common garden plant.
Propagated by cuttings, which are allowed to root, or grown from seeds (which often germinate badly and require up to 4 weeks for germination).
Commercially cultivated in southern Europe.
Leafy shoots are collected and dried at less than 35° C (95° F), the leaves being separated alter drying.

Constituents and Action: Volatile oil and tannin.
Leaves - antiseptic, anti-depressive. anti­spasmodic, astringent, cardiac tonic, carminative, bile stimulant, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, digestive remedy, diuretic, nervine, restorative tonic for nervous system;
Essential oil, used topically - analgesic, anti­rheumatic, rubefacient

Medicinal Properties: Rosemary helps to relax muscles, including the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and uterus.
Because of this property it can be used to soothe digestive upsets and relieve menstrual cramps.
When used in large amounts it can have the opposite effect, causing irritation of the intestines and cramps.
A tea made form the leaves is also taken as a tonic for calming nerves, temporary fatigue and over-work and used as an antiseptic.
Rosemary is antiseptic and diaphoretic; internally, in small doses, it increases the flow of blood to the abdominal organs and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and of bile; it is also diuretic.
Upset stomach, flatulence, rheumatism, apathy, stimulating the appetite, enhancing coronary blood flow; traditionally thought to improve memory.
Take rosemary tea to relieve headaches, migraines, indigestion and coldness associated with poor circulation.
It is a pleasant-tasting drink and, since rosemary is an evergreen, one that can be made using fresh herb throughout the year

The essential oil made by steam-distilling the leaves is a valuable remedy for arthritis, rheumatism and muscular aches and pains.

Cancer Prevention Properties: Several studies done in the last several years show that oil from the leaves of the very plant sold as a spice for flavouring can help prevent the development of cancerous tumors in labouratory animals.
One study, led by Chi-Tang Ho, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, showed that applying rosemary oil to the skin of experimental animals reduced their risk of cancer to half that found in animals that did not receive the application of oil.
In other studies by the same research team, animals whose diets contained some rosemary oil had about half the incidence of colon cancer or lung cancer compared with animals not eating rosemary.
And researchers at the University of Illinois in Urbana found that rosemary cut by half the incidence of breast cancer in animals at high risk for developing the disease.
Future studies will demonstrate whether these properties extend to humans as well.

Though these experiments have used rosemary oil to test the effectiveness in preventing cancer, the oil should not be taken internally.
Even small doses can cause stomach, kidney and intestinal problems, and large amounts may be poisonous.
Use a tea instead.

Forms available: Teas, tinctures, extracts, essential oil; fresh and dried leaves used in cooking; also an ingredient in bath and body-care products.

Usage: Generally in the form of an ointment or spirit of rosemary as a liniment for rheumatism and for migraine.
Rosemary makes a pleasant-tasting tea. Use one teaspoon of crushed dried leaves in a cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes.
The infusion (boil a handful of leaves with 0.5 litre (1 pt) of water and allow to stand) is used to bathe infected wounds.
Internally this infusion is used as a diuretic and to increase biliary secretion.
Use 10 drops of rosemary oil to a teaspoon of almond oil as a massage for aches and pains, or add a few drops to rinsing water after shampooing to help clear dandruff and improve the hair quality.
Also used as a condiment but only rarely to improve appetite.

CAUTION: In large doses it produces spasms and vertigo.
Rosemary and its essential oil can harm the uterus or fetus when taken in therapeutic amounts when you're pregnant; amounts used in cooking are generally considered safe.

---

Cosmetic Uses: Use an infusion as a rinse to lighten blond hair, and to condition and tone all hair.
Mix an infusion half and half with shampoo to strengthen hair.
An infusion can also be used as an invigorating toner and astringent.
Rosemary added to a bath strengthens and refreshes, especially when used following an illness.

Culinary Uses: Use rosemary in bouquets garnis and sparingly with fish and in rice dishes.
Traditionally used with lamb, make slits in lamb for roasting and tuck in sprigs of the herb.
Place larger sprigs over chops for grilling and use chopped leaves sparingly in soups and stews.

Other Uses: Use the dried leaves as potpourri and in sachets to scent clothes and linen and deter moths.
Rosmary is grown as a companion plant for cabbage, beans carrots and sage.
It helps to deter cabbage moths, bean beetles and carrot flies.

---

Cultivation: Propagate from cuttings of the twisted wood of non-flowering branches in early summer, or layer established branches.
Rosemary can also be grown from seed.
Choose a sheltered position and well-drained soil, and allow the plant lots of sun.
Young rosemary bushes need to be protected from frosts but once established are reasonably hardy
The thick shrub tolerates clipping so that the size can be kept in check.
In hot weather it will appreciate a good hosing down.
In a warm climate it can remain in the same location for up to 30 years, but in climates where freezing temperatures are expected it is best grown in pots so that it can be brought indoors in winter.

Harvesting: The leaves can be harvested any time. Harvest no more than you can use fresh, as they loose most of their flavour when dried.

---

History and Tradition: The botanical name Rosmarinus is derived form the old Latin for 'dew of the sea', a reference to its pale blue dew-like flowers and the fact that it is often grown near the sea.

Rosemary is traditionally associated with remembrance and friendship - sprigs were exchanged by lovers or scattered on coffins. It is an apt association as rosemary has a stimulating effect on the nervous system and a reputation for improving the memory.
The plant originates from the Mediterranean area and was first grown in Britain in the 14th century. It was regarded as uplifting and energising - or as Gerard said, "It comforteth the harte and maketh it merie".

Sprigs of rosemary were placed under pillows at night to ward off evil spirits and bad dreams.
The wood was used to make lutes and other musical instruments.

We continue to use rosemary in many of the same ways that our ancestors did: in potpourris to freshen the air, and in cosmetics, disinfectants and shampoos.

'[Rosemary] comforteth the cold, weak and feeble brain in a most wonderful manner.' --Gerard

'Make thee a box of the wood of rosemary and smell to it and it shall preserve thy youth.' --Banckes' Herbal

Rosemary for Remembrance
Scientists at the University of Cincinnati say that the scent of rosemary is an effective memory stimulant. This might make a nice potted plant for your desk at work, or where the kids do their homework!

Rosemary Remembrance Wreaths
Form heavy gage wire into the shape of a heart by twisting it into a circle about 8 inches in diameter, then pinching at the base and the top to form a heart. Bind slender sprays of rosemary to the heart-shaped frame with florists' wire. Decorate the rosemary heart with dried flowers and herbs, as shown. Rosebuds, also a symbol or remembrance, add a nice touch.