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Rosemary
Description: Rosemary is one member of the mint family. Its grey-green needle-like leaves give off a bittersweet, lemony, piney odor, and can resemble a small, twisted pine tree. In the spring, flowers will appear on the previous years growth. Colors can be blue, golden, pink and white depending on what variety was grown. The flowers give off a sweetly pungent essential oil that smells a lot like pine. The plant can grow from 24 inches to 6 feet in height, and prefer southern regions where the temperature stays warmer longer.
History: Rosemary has a long and illustrious history. One of the earliest refrences is to the ancient Greeks. They believed it to be helpful for the memory, and students would tuck sprigs behind their ears to help them remember their lessons. During the medieval times, rosemary represented loyalty and fidelity. Brides wove the branches into their hair wreathes to symbolize marital monogomy. Even Shakespeare uses rosemary in his masterpiece Hamlet, when Ophelia throws herbs and flowers at her mother and brothers feet, crying out "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." Rosemary has always been the herb of the poor or lower class, being easily accessable and very inexpensive. Before electricity and refrigeration, rosemary was used along with thyme and hyssop to prevent meat from spoiling.
Parts used: Leaves, stems, flowers, and the oil that comes from these parts.
Usages: Rosemary gets its curative powers from the resin in its leaves. Crushing and/or boiling releases the tannins and oils and those are what give rosemary its uses. This herbs' aromatic oils can stimulate the blood, which is probably why memory is affected. Increased blood to the brain increases brainpower. A nice rosemary bath can help soothe aching joints and feet, just don't have a nice soak before bedtime because it tends to increase alertness and it could be harder to get to sleep! Rosemary tea can be used for treating many problems. It can be used for bad breath and as an antiseptic mouthwash. The tea can also be used for upset stomachs, since the herb tends to ease gas pain and help in digestion. As an oil, it has often been suggested for rheumatism and arthritis, and seems to help skin irratations, bruises and headaches. Rosemary balm can soothe bug bites, and rosemary oil can help control dandruff and greasy hair. The plant is a natural bug repellent, so gardeners should plant some to protect their other plants. Even the smell of a drop of oil on a cloth can revive flagging spirits. All in all, this is a pretty versatile herb.
Growing your own: Rosemary a warm climate herb, but with careful attention, should grow just about everywhere. Seeds can be planted, but cuttings and stems work best. Plants should be spaced 2-3 feet apart in well-drained alkaline soil. The plant will grow in limey soil, but it will be smaller and more fragrant. If using seeds, start them indoors about 10-12 weeks before the last spring frost. Don't cover them with soil, just poke them into it. Moisten the soil, cover with plastic wrap and place the trays into the freezer for one week. Remove and place in a sunny warm spot (70-75f degrees during the day and 55f degrees at night). Seeds usually germinate in 14-21 days. Transplant outside in a sunny spot (they need at least 6 hours full sunlight every day!), with well draining soil after danger of frost passes. Don't overwater or the herb becomes woodenly, but don't let the soil dry out completly either. If you leave the plant as an indoor herb, just make sure it is on a sunny south facing windowsill with 6 hours of full sunlight. As the plant grows, pinch out the growing tips for use and mist the leaves occasionaly to remind the plant of its exotic heritage.
Magickal properties: This herb is used for magick involving memory and blood. It is also used to banish negative energy and magick, as well as protection from them. Sprigs placed under pillows or on windowsills are said to banish bad dreams and nightmares, and is commonly hung on porches to keep away thieves.
Rosemary Recipes
WARNING: Essential, distilled rosemary oil should NEVER be taken internally. It is POISONOUS in strong doses. I am not a doctor and I do not prescribe herbs for medicinal usage. If you are sick, CONSULT A DOCTOR!
Rosemary Tea: Use 1/2tsp dried rosemary leaves per cup of tea. Pour boiled water over herb, and let steep 10 minutes or so. Sweeten with honey or sugar to taste
Bosemary Tonic: Steep 2 handfuls of fresh rosemary sprigs in a bottle of white wine for at least 4 days. Serve as a cordial. A quicker version...float 1 or 2 sprigs in a glass of wine for one hour
Rosemary honey: Steep fresh rosemary leaves in honey for several weeks. Great over fresh bread or toast.
Rosemary Oil: Lightly pack a glass jar with fresh rosemary leaves, fill to the top with olive oil, pressing the leaves down to get rid of air bubbles. Cap tightly and store in a dark, dry place at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. Every 3 days or so, open jar, and add oil to top, breaking any air bubbles. After 3 weeks, strain oil through cheesecloth.
Rosemary facial mist: Mix 10 drops essential oil and 8 ounces distilled water in a spray bottle.
Rosemary bath salts: Add 5-10 drops essential oil to 1 cup dead-sea salts; let sit 1 hour. Use 1 cup for a full bath, 1/2 cup for half bath
Rosemary hair oil: add 30 drops essential oil to 1 ounce jojoba oil. Massage 1 teaspoon into scalp. Cover the hair with plastic, rinse out after 1 hour
Rosemary balm: Grate 2 teaspoons beeswax. In a saucepan, gently warm 2 ounces of rosemary hair oil (above). Sprinkle in beesewax until melted. Pour into jar, and refrigerate until solid.
The above recipies came from Martha Stewart Living Magazine, July/August 1998 issue p. 96. Martha Stewart I usually find you won't go wrong with Martha, so give these ideas a try.
Herbal bath soak: 1 cup sea salts...1/2cup Epsom salts...5 sprigs rosemary...1/2 cup chamomile flowers. Chop the rosemary and chamomile in a blender. Add to the salts and mix well
This recipe came from Rosemary.
Rosemary bath oil: Collect equal quantities of lavender, rosemary sprigs, and peppermint leaves. Lightly bruise the lavender to release its essential oils. Pour 2 cups of sunflower oil into a jar and add the fresh herbs and flowers. Seal the jar and store in a warm, sunny location for several days, shaking the jar often. After several days, strain the oil through cheesecloth. Squeeze any oil from the herbs and flowers. Pour the oil back onto the jar and add a fresh batch of lavender, rosemary, and peppermint. Put the jar back into a warm sunny spot for several more days. Repeat this process until the oil has the desired amount of fragrance (5-6 times for a strong perfume). Pour the last batch of herbs and oil into a saucepan. Simmer it over a gentle heat for 10 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool, then strain the oil into the jar. Seal the jar, and store in a cool, dark place. To use: add a teaspoonful (or measure to your preference) of the oil to running bath water. Then, lay back and enjoy.
The above recipe came from Gifts from the Garden
Another energizing rosemary hair oil: To 3 ounces of a good virgin olive oil add: 5 drops rosemary...5 drops lavender...2 drops sandlewood. Gently massage a few drops of this mixture into the scalp and throughout the hair. This will impart a fragrant, moisturizing sheen.
Eau de cologne Mist: To 8 ounces of distilled water add: 12 drops bergamot orange...12 drops lemon...6 drops rosemary...5 drops lavender...5 drops petitgrain. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle. Shake, and mist over exposed skin.
The above recipies from Frontier Cooperative Herbs
Other soucrces not listed above... Rosemary
Homecooking
Natural Land
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