The Herb Stop Blog

Is your rosemary bush growing out of control? Wait, before you take out your clippers, you may be interested in learning about some of rosemary’s virtues, and the many ways you can use it for your health and well-being.  
 
In ancient Greece, rosemary was used to strengthen memory and it became popular among students to wear sprigs of rosemary in their hair while studying. In France, during World War II, rosemary and juniper berries were burned in hospitals to kill germs. Today, rosemary can be used for depression, stress, fatigue, migraines and tension headaches, poor circulation and digestive disorders including flatulence. Rosemary is a strong stimulant that works mainly on the adrenal glands, the circulatory system and in the pelvic area. It contains a lot of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium, nutrients required by the nervous system and cardiac muscle. Rosemary is known by herbalists to be an excellent tonic for the heart and to treat high blood pressure. For rheumatism, muscular aches and pains, the external application can give symptomatic relief. Rosemary has also been used as a shampoo to stimulate hair growth, as well as a good and refreshing mouthwash. 

Growing Rosemary Outdoors
Rosemary is easy to grow once it is established. If you live in a frost free area, you can grow rosemary in the ground year round. Where the winter temperatures dip below 30 degrees F., certain varieties of rosemary plants will have to spend the winter indoors. The most important tidbit I'd like to share is to never let the plant dry out completely in the first year, or it will die. Check it everyday and make sure the soil is moist. Rosemary needs good drainage, and if the needle like evergreen leaves turn brown, the plant is being over watered. Prune or pinch back regularly to keep it bushy.

Rosemary Makes A Wonderful Indoor Plant
Rosemary makes a wonderful houseplant. It is not just beautiful and decorative, it gives you fragrance and flavor. Running your hands through a rosemary plant or slightly brushing against it can invigorate you, as well as bring a room to life. There is an herb for every taste and décor. Plant it into an attractive container to enhance its natural beauty. Use your imagination and creativity. Potted rosemary does very well indoors, and what's more, it can easily be moved outside onto the patio, or you can sink it into your flower bed during the warmer months, and then bring it back inside when it gets colder.

Leilah's Top 9 Uses For Rosemary

There are many ways you can use your rosemary harvest. This special plant has become a staple in my home over the years. 

Rosemary Tea

To make a tea, take rosemary branches, strip the needle like leaves off the woody part and place about one tablespoon into 8 oz of water. Bring to a boil, turn off the heat, and let it sit for about 15-30 minutes, then strain. You may add some honey if you'd like.

Rosemary Infused Vinegars And Oils

One of the easiest ways of preserving the flavors of rosemary is by making a vinegar or oil infusion. Take a fresh rosemary branch and place it into a bottle of vinegar or oil. Let it infuse for a few days, or a few weeks, depending how strong you want it. Use it in your recipes that require vinegar or oil for a little "je ne sais pas quoi".

Rosemary Pesto

½ cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves
½ cup walnuts
½ cup fresh rosemary leaves
½ cup parley leaves
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for vegans use nutritional yeast)

Process the first three ingredients in a blender. With the machine running slowly, add the fresh herbs, then the cheese. Process to the desired consistency and allow to stand 5 minutes before serving. This pesto sauce is good with vegetables, pasta, and on crackers.

Rosemary For Healthy Hair 

Rosemary stimulates hair growth and can be used as a hair rinse after shampooing. Misting rosemary infused water on damp hair promotes healthy, shiny and full bodied hair. It also acts as a re-constructor for chemically over-treated or damaged hair. Or, you can mist the rosemary infused water directly on a brush or comb and run it several times through your hair. This will also prevent static. I like to place a few drops of rosemary essential oil on my hairbrush to invigorate my hair, and also, to enhance my memory. 

Rosemary For Beautiful Skin

Rosemary invigorates and refreshes the skin. The Queen of Hungary was known for her most beautiful skin. Rumor has it that she used a rosemary herbal blend to treat her skin. There are many tales about her exact recipe.

Rosemary And Clay Bath At Home For Detoxification 

In her book “The Daily Detox Diet”, Carrie L’Esperance says, that this special bath gives results comparable to going to a spa or hot springs for a mud bath, at a fraction of the cost. I totally agree with her, its a wonderful treatment you can do at home! Before getting into the tub, brush your skin with a body brush. Fill the bathtub with hot water running over a muslin bag filled with one cup fresh or dried rosemary. Add ½ cup of clay to the water, and then 2 – 3 drops of rosemary essential oil – swish around to disburse the aroma. Relax in the bath for about 20 minutes, then massage your body with a loofah cloth and natural handmade soap. Add 3 drops of rosemary essential oil to your shampoo, wash your hair, and finish with a cool shower. This bath is a real treat. You will feel great and smell wonderful.

Rosemary Salt and Clay Scrub

Salt scrubs make your skin glow!!! In the early 90's they use to be referred to as "salt glow". Scrubbing your body with a home-made rosemary and clay salt scrub increases circulation, sloughs off dead skin, and is highly energizing. Salt scrubs are quick and easy to make fresh when needed. Store-bought salt scrubs are usually old and the oil is rancid. Here is Natalie's easy-to-do-at home recipe:

• Fill 1/3 of a jar with rosemary infused oil and add a little Rhassoul clay, mix well. Then slowly add salt to the jar. Stir mixture well to make sure the salt is fully covered. Add few drops of your favorite essential oil, et voila! 

Rosemary Tea Bath

At certain times of the year my rosemary bush gets way too large and needs to be tamed. After a good trim, instead of throwing it out, I place the whole branches into a large stock pot, fill it with water to cover the rosemary, bring it to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes. Strain the liquid into a bathtub filled with hot water, and slip into the bathtub as soon as the water is comfortable. WOW, its like sitting in a giant teacup!!!

Rosemary is a helpful herb for the convalescent and fatigued person, for low blood pressure and for the one who lacks dynamism.

Here Are Some Other Uses Of Rosemary

Someone once told me that the word rosemary means “dew of the sea” translated from Latin. Interestingly, the word rosemary is a blend of two words, rose and Mary.

Rosemary is the herb of remembrance. It is a symbol of friendship, loyalty, and remembrance, and is traditionally carried by bridesmaid at a wedding. It is also carried by mourners at funerals.

Rosemary flower essence can be helpful for those who lack dynamism, but have the desire to become emotionally more alive and connected to the world around them. For those who have become what they do, instead of who they are, such as workaholics. They lost enthusiasm for life, forgetting their own needs.

Caution: Rosemary should not be used in large amounts by epileptics or individuals who experience seizures.

Tschau mitenand,

Leilah

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