Rosemary is an evergreen shrub from the Lamiaceae family. It first became known to the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, and then spread to the territories of North Africa, as well as the Transcaucasus, Crimea and Central Asia. It has a well-developed root system, up to 3 meters long, contributes to its growth on the slopes of the mountains, where the climate is dry and rainfall is in summer. The groundwater that feeds on rosemary allows it to be green all year round. The length of the stems is from half a meter to one and a half meters.
Content:
What is rosemary and what does it look like
what is the difference between thyme and rosemary
for women
for men
during pregnancy
when breastfeeding
for kids
when losing weight
Rosemary Essential Oil: Properties and Uses
The use of rosemary in folk medicine
decoction
water infusion
alcohol tincture
inhalation
for face
for hair
where it is added as a condiment
what can replace
Harm and contraindications
How to choose and store rosemary
Interesting Rosemary Facts
What is rosemary and what does it look like
This is a plant with a grayish-brown bark, with 4-sided branches, on which elongated voluminous leaves are located. Outwardly and to the touch, the sides of the leaves are different: one side is glossy, the other is matte and somewhat rough.
The benefits and harms of rosemary
Shrub flowers are 5–10 buds on the tops of branches with small flowers of pale purple or white-blue color. At the end of flowering, about 4 gray-brown nuts appear at the bottom of the flower bowl.
Rosemary has a bitter taste and a tart aroma, reminiscent of basil, but closer to the smell of pine needles.
What is the difference between thyme and rosemary
Thyme is a small perennial shrub from the Lamiaceae family. It was first discovered in North Africa. In the descriptions of the ancient Greek philosophers, it is called incense, which means "fragrant substance." This genus is distinguished by many species distributed in Greenland and Eurasia.
Unlike rosemary, this is a shorter plant 15-35 centimeters high, flowering not in spring, but in summer, in June-August. There are also differences in the leaves, rounded, occasionally elongated and small with a pubescent lower part. The size of the leaves does not exceed one centimeter. Thyme flowers, unlike rosemary, are bright: pink, purple or lilac, with a strong aroma.
Composition and calories
Rosemary is cultivated as an agricultural crop in Central Europe and the Mediterranean. The plant is known more as a spice in cooking, where shoots, flowers and leaves are used.
Compound:
B9, A, C, E, PP are vitamins that make rosemary beneficial to the body.
Minerals, namely: sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, as well as magnesium, fiber and various essential oils - the chemical composition of rosemary is surprising.
Myristic, caprylic, as well as oleic, rosemary, palmitic, useful ursolic, lauric and linoleic - such is the variety of organic unsaturated acids in this plant.
Thanks to isoleucine, phytosterols, phytoncides, threonine, carnosol, valine, lysine, rosemary tannins, flavonoids, in particular apigenin and luteolin, rosemary can be called a "living pharmacy".
Rosemary contains: 100 grams of spice accounts for 161 kcal., 5.5 grams of protein, 7.7 grams of lipids and 23 grams of carbohydrates.
Useful properties of rosemary
Being a truly medicinal plant, today rosemary is popular on all continents as a healthy and fragrant seasoning. From time immemorial, the leaves of this evergreen plant have been used to treat ailments, and on their basis, medicinal teas, alcoholic infusions, and inhalation decoctions are made. The usefulness of rosemary has been proven by many experts.
Useful properties of rosemary
For women
Regular use of spices has a beneficial effect not only on the genitourinary system, but also on the important reproductive function of the female body.
Women's susceptibility to headaches, migraines, neurological symptoms, such as frequent mood swings during the day, stress and depressive conditions, can be eliminated by regular use of an easy-to-prepare rosemary decoction (read the recipe below in our article).
The plant provides effective assistance to women who have problems associated with premenstrual syndrome. Thanks to the intake of herbal tea with rosemary, mint and St. John's wort, hormonal fluctuations and headaches are reduced.
There is evidence that the seasoning is able to normalize the menstrual cycle and restore it in the absence of menstruation for a long time.
In the fight against candidiasis, which women often suffer from, effective help is provided by douching with a decoction.
For men
If there are problems with the activity of the genitourinary system and reproductive function in men, then with regular use of the spice, everything returns to normal.
Rosemary has long been used in the treatment of prostatitis, cystitis, orchitis and other problems with men's health. It also helped to improve potency, was actively used by men to prevent impotence, the so-called andropause, that is, it coped with the signs of natural aging of a man. A decoction of rosemary, immortelle, as well as dried sage, birch buds, which is consumed 20 minutes before a meal, or antibacterial warm hygienic baths from such a decoction have a very beneficial effect on the male body.
Rosemary also boosts male libido as it is an aphrodisiac.
During pregnancy
Natural seasoning has a beneficial effect on the body of a pregnant woman.
Dopamine contained in rosemary helps to reduce stress and improve the mood of the expectant mother.
Massage with rosemary oil relieves pain in the back, lower back, reduces swelling in the legs, and reduces signs of nausea.
For disinfection of the air and the destruction of staphylococcus aureus, yeast fungi and other microbes, along with aromatic natural rosemary oil, the systematic use of an aroma lamp is also useful.
Attacks of bad mood, fatigue of a pregnant woman will disappear if you add 5 ml of rosemary oil to the water while taking a bath. Such baths are useful for maintaining the normal condition of the skin and hair.
It must be remembered that rosemary can be toxic if consumed excessively.
When breastfeeding
Rosemary is a natural remedy that has a beneficial effect on lactation during breastfeeding. It is also indispensable in cases where an insufficient amount of milk is produced.
A woman during breastfeeding can use rosemary to prevent migraines, dizziness, insomnia, and colds. This herb will have a beneficial effect on her body.
For kids
Rosemary is useful for children over 4 years old. It will benefit primary school students experiencing concentration problems.
The microclimate in an apartment where there is a child will become better if you use rosemary oil in an aroma lamp as an antiseptic that destroys pathogens.
Many traditional healers use rosemary in the treatment of skin diseases in a child, to heal wounds and reduce pain. Compresses, ointments, prepared on the basis of this plant, help with neuralgia, various kinds of boils, severely festering wounds.
Drops of natural essential oil of rosemary, applied to the temples of a child with SARS / influenza with headaches, will quickly help to improve his condition. Sore throat is relieved by gargling with rosemary.
Using the plant as an inhalant for asthma helps in relieving swelling and soothing inflammation in the throat. At the same time, it is important not to forget that you should seek advice from specialists.
Rosemary stimulates blood circulation, can slightly increase blood pressure, and the natural essential oil used for rubbing will help get rid of the problem of cold hands / feet of the child.
When losing weight
Rosemary helps speed up the metabolism, so it is used as a means for weight loss. Green leaves or a pinch of dried herbs used as a spice can help you lose weight.
A greater effect can be achieved by using, instead of large doses of rosemary, its water infusion a few minutes before meals. Thanks to this method, the daily dose of substances necessary for the body get in.
Useful for weight loss, essential oil of rosemary. Applied to the skin, it enhances blood circulation, acting as a light drain, helping to break down fats. Due to this property of the oil, the volume of the body decreases, cellulite disappears. The content of carnosolic acid in the oil slows down skin aging.
Wraps or baths with the addition of essential natural oils help to eliminate sagging skin. These procedures are effective in the fight against cellulite. A massage for weight loss will be more effective if one part of rosemary oil is added to the base oil.
The essential oil used in aromatherapy helps to activate the centers of the brain responsible for satiety, which helps to reduce the feeling of hunger.
Rosemary tea
The taste and aroma of natural rosemary tea cannot be compared with those bought in a store. It not only tastes good, but is also very useful as a prophylactic for certain diseases. Such a drink can strengthen the immune system.
Benefits of rosemary tea
Studies have shown that the acids and antioxidants present in the plant prevent the destruction of neurotransmitters. The state of mind, memory, consciousness of a person largely depends on them. Tea with rosemary helps to restore memory, prevents the development of Alzheimer's disease, which is dangerous, especially for the elderly. The drink is useful for the development of concentration.
Other useful properties are also noted:
This is a special tea that helps improve blood circulation, relieve headaches, fight infections and fungi.
The useful substances and trace elements present in its composition make up for the lack of elements in the body.
In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, rosemary tea plays the role of a prophylactic drink.
For those who want to get rid of extra pounds, fragrant tea will provide an invaluable service, because thanks to it, metabolic processes in the body are accelerated. The drink also helps in restoring strength after an illness.
Rosemary tea is useful in the treatment of skin conditions, including eczema.
The antiseptic property of the tea is used to cleanse the body of pathogenic microflora, which are staphylococcal, streptococcal, fungal microorganisms. These microbes multiply in the body by feeding on the remains of undigested rotting fried or boiled food.
The beneficial effect of rosemary tea on the liver, lungs, and respiratory system has been proven by scientists studying the effect of herbal remedies on the human body.
People with back pain, muscle pain, rheumatism, osteoarthritis are more likely to tolerate the course of the disease if rosemary tea is included in their diet.
No less remarkable is the fact that in the fight against oncology, this drink also has a positive effect.
Since ancient times, the beneficial effect of this drink on the skin and hair has been known.
Thus, rosemary tea is a drink that not only brings pleasure with its aroma, but is also very healthy.
Rosemary Essential Oil: Properties and Uses
No fewer merits than rosemary itself, has a high-quality essential oil extracted from the leaves of the plant by steam distillation. The oil is an almost colorless or slightly yellowish liquid of dense oily consistency, which has a pleasant saturated smell. There are no differences in the healing properties of rosemary and the product produced from it in the form of essential oil.
Essential oil of rosemary
The usefulness of the properties of the essential oil of this plant lies in its analgesic, antispasmodic, regenerative and even wound-healing effect on the body:
This rosemary derivative has properties that help in the treatment of migraines, headaches of various origins, in the spinal region and with progressive rheumatism.
Dissolution of stones in the gallbladder, improvement of choleretic functions, normalization of the liver - these are the features of rosemary essential oil.
This oil is able to reduce the indicator of "bad" cholesterol, improve digestion, remove constipation and bloating.
Improving cardiovascular activity, strengthening blood vessels, stabilizing pressure, helping to treat varicose veins - all this is also possible with the use of this therapeutic product.
If you need to relieve eye strain, restore visual acuity, improve brain activity and memory, relieve mental stress, facilitate the process of perception, normalize brain functions in terms of concentration and memorization of information, then it is worth using this product.
Rosemary oil can stimulate and strengthen the human immune system, help treat colds and flu.
The beneficial effect of this product on the skin and the functioning of the sebaceous glands was noted in inflammatory diseases. With its help, dandruff is eliminated, baldness and hair loss slow down, nail and skin fungus is treated.
Application:
Both rosemary itself and the essential oil produced from it are beneficial for the female and male body. First, it helps to normalize the menstrual cycle and relieve the pain that accompanies it, the second is useful in the prevention and treatment of problems with impotence and frigidity.
The presence of a wound healing and pronounced regenerating effect makes it possible to use the oil to accelerate the healing effect on scars left on the skin, deep cracks on the elbows/feet.
Due to its psycho-emotional properties, rosemary oil is indispensable in the treatment of neurosis, the so-called chronic fatigue syndrome.
People who are concerned about the condition of their hair, namely their loss, loss of silkiness or oiliness, are recommended to use masks using rosemary oils. Alopecia, or increased hair loss, the sudden appearance of dandruff, also, even simple care for the condition of the curls can also be an important reason to use this product for care. To do this, it is enough to add 2-3 drops to the shampoo or to the comb, preferably wooden, when combing. Twice carrying out such procedures within a week will lead to a positive result.
Rosemary essential oil successfully solves problems with oily skin, its inflammation, the appearance of acne. Dermatitis, eczema, furunculosis, skin roughness, pigment spots of any severity will not resist the pressure of this oil.
This product also works with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, colitis, bloating, cholelithiasis, elevated blood cholesterol, pathology of the heart and blood vessels.
Taking 2-3 drops of ether dissolved in a teaspoon of vegetable oil orally twice a day will improve the condition of the body. It is worth remembering that the recommendations of a doctor are required.
The tart, light woody notes of rosemary essential oil have made it one of the most popular aromatherapy oils. The positive effect of its aroma is used by specialists to improve the general mental state, mood of a person, clarify thoughts, increase concentration, strengthen memory, in particular, in case of amnesia.
Headache, severe migraine, any nervous tension, a state of apathy, any neurotic periods in life - these problems can be solved if aromatherapy sessions are carried out at home using the natural oil of this plant. Such sessions will help if there is pain in the spine and joints, sexual activity is reduced. 3-5 drops in an indoor aroma lamp, 2 drops in aromatic medallions, 8 drops in warm water while taking a bath will have a positive effect.
The use of rosemary in folk medicine
The healing properties of rosemary have made it an important ingredient in folk medicine. Its leaves, stems, roots are used fresh or tinctures, decoctions, teas are prepared from them.
Decoction
Traditional medicine advises the use of rosemary decoction for respiratory diseases. To facilitate breathing, it is enough to take a strained broth during the day at least 3-4 times. To prepare it, use 2 teaspoons of raw materials, poured into a glass of boiling water. The drug will be ready after 20 minutes of boiling over low heat.
Water infusion
Rosemary in an aqueous infusion is used for pain in the joints, in the fight against excess weight, as a tonic. An incomplete tablespoon of crushed rosemary leaves, poured into a thermos, is poured with boiling water and infused for about one hour. The filtered preparation is used as directed before meals, one teaspoonful.
Alcohol tincture
Alcohol is usually infused with dried or fresh stems and rosemary leaves. This method of use is considered the most productive in folk medicine: the components that make up the plant are extracted to the maximum, and their effect is deeper compared to other folk remedies using rosemary. The concentration of the components present in the alcohol tincture predetermines the method of their application: inside or outside. To prepare the tincture, it is necessary to use dishes made of glass, ceramics or enameled.
Flatulence, nervous disorders, loss of appetite, low blood pressure will be cured by a remedy prepared from 10 grams of dry and crushed leaves of the plant, filled with 100 grams of rakia or vodka, and infused for 10 days. The filtered liquid is recommended to take 30 drops dissolved in 20 ml of water three times a day, half an hour before meals.
For pain in the joints, a tincture of 50 grams of fresh rosemary leaves and 250 ml of alcohol with a strength of 70% will help. After 10 days of storage in a dark place, you can rub the joints with this product, use it for compresses and instead of a lotion for treating problem skin. It is also possible to take the tincture inside with the same dosage as for flatulence.
For prevention, an alcohol tincture of two tablespoons of rosemary, dry or fresh, poured with a glass of vodka and put in a dark place for 10 days is useful. During these days, it is necessary to shake the product periodically. The filtered liquid is stored in the refrigerator and taken 25 drops three times a day.
Inhalations
Rosemary helps as an inhalant in the treatment of coughs, asthma, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, loss of voice, to remove phlegm from the respiratory tract. A few sprigs of rosemary added to boiling water will help by inhaling the vapors first through the nose, then through the mouth for ten minutes and make breathing easier.
Rosemary in folk medicine is considered one of the most effective means for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. In this case, the recommendations of experts should be taken into account.
Rosemary in cosmetology
Cosmetologists prefer fresh rosemary greens, essential oil, extract, infusion and decoction of dried leaves.
Rosemary and various products with its use can be used not only to improve the condition of the skin of the face and hair, but also for the décolleté and chest, so that the skin in these places acquires velvety and elasticity.
For the beauty of nails, baths of infusion of dry or fresh rosemary greens with one teaspoon of salt are very useful. After 15-20 minutes, wipe the nails with a napkin.
For face
The skin will look fresh if you lubricate it every day with freshly squeezed juice from rosemary leaves. After half an hour, the juice is washed off with warm water. In the absence of a fresh product, you can use an infusion of dried herbs, brewed in the amount of one tablespoon with 50 ml of boiling water. The agent that replaces the tonic should be replaced with a fresh one after two days.
A mask made from a gruel of fresh rosemary greens mixed with cucumber, oatmeal, or the pulp of a fruit, such as a banana, is also useful. It is washed off with water after a quarter of an hour.
Thanks to rosemary, the skin of the face is saturated with vitamins, it is rejuvenated, wrinkles are prevented, and metabolic processes in the epidermis are activated. To avoid reddening of the skin, itching, tingling, it is necessary to do a test, since the esters and camphor contained in rosemary greens can be harmful.
Beautiful, well-groomed eyebrows are a decoration of the face. They will become thick if fed daily with freshly squeezed juice from rosemary leaves or wiped with a decoction of a dry product.
For hair
If you apply this spicy greens, hair loss will stop, dandruff, split ends, dullness will disappear.
Brewed from dried or fresh shoots of rosemary, infused for a couple of hours, cooled and strained broth with regular rinsing of the hair will help make them thick and silky. Useful for hair will be decoctions, oils, juices squeezed from the plant, which can be rubbed into the scalp. There is a limitation for rosemary extract - it can harm the hair roots.
Now it is clear that rosemary is a useful mean in cosmetology.
Rosemary in cooking
Culinary experts everywhere use the spice rosemary, which has a lemon-sweet aroma and a sharp-bitter taste. Italian, Greek, French cuisines, being the birthplace of this spice, use them in their many dishes. But the cooks of the Middle and Near East treat it with special adoration.
The use of this spice is not restricted in any form. It is good in the form of both cut fresh twigs and dry crushed leaves. Freshly picked branches are more fragrant and richer in essential oils, which cannot be said about the dried product. True, it is more accessible at any time of the year, which cannot be said about a fresh plant.
In addition to the fact that the spice is used to prepare snacks, hot dishes, sweets, pickles and even drinks, nutritionists advise using just a pinch of spice to speed up metabolism, as a result of which the water-fat balance is restored and the body is cleansed of toxins.
To make the dish acquire a special flavor, you need to combine parsley, thyme, garlic, lemon, black pepper, chili pepper and marjoram with rosemary. But rosemary and bay leaf are not "friends" with each other.
Where is it added in the form of seasoning
Not all people can appreciate the aroma of this spice the first time, but those who have tried it more than once do not change their addiction. Given the other name for rosemary - "sea freshness", without a doubt, we can say that the spice in the form of seasoning is suitable for fish and meat dishes.
Rosemary sprigs, added to the marinade, muffle the specific smells of meat, characteristic, for example, of poultry or wild game. The fish will become tastier if you add sprigs of the plant to it during baking.
Prolonged heat treatment of rosemary does not deprive it of its rich aroma. Soup, sauce, boiled and stewed meat will absorb its aromas, regardless of the cooking time.
Rosemary brings out the taste of cheese perfectly, so putting a sprig of rosemary in pizza or cheese soup will add a special charm to dishes. Beans, peas, mushrooms and root vegetables go well with this fragrant green. For some pasta dishes, rosemary greens will also be useful seasoning.
Sprigs of this Mediterranean shrub can be used to flavor vegetable oil. Salads are dressed with infused oil, in which a small sprig of rosemary has been dipped. This is suitable for baked and stewed vegetables.
Important! Rosemary as a preservative is recommended for use in canning and fermentation, because it is able to prevent food from spoiling.
Doses of rosemary use depend on its condition. The rich smell of fresh greenery of the bush involves the use of no more than one small branch. The dried spice does not have a very pronounced smell, but, as culinary experts advise, one teaspoon of spice for meat dishes and marinades will be enough.
Whatever the attitude of a person to this spice, one should observe the norms for its use in the preparation of various dishes. This spice, suitable for meat and vegetable dishes, mushrooms, sauces, soups, cheese snacks and pizza, should be added at the end of cooking, otherwise its bitterness will pass into food.
What can replace
Sometimes rosemary should be replaced with another spice due to its absence or due to an allergic reaction to it. Thyme is the first substitute for rosemary due not only to its external resemblance, but also to a more delicate peppery aroma. It will be a good substitute for soups, stews, cold dishes.
Tarragon instead of rosemary is used only in dried form in meat, fish dishes, as well as dishes from eggs and poultry. Tarragon is also often flavored with vinegar.
Savory is a spicy herb more typical for Bulgarian cuisine. Pork and poultry dishes will not get worse if they use savory instead of rosemary.
Sage is similar to rosemary in its equally intense aroma. There is not much difference in replacing rosemary with sage in the preparation of poultry, some seafood and meat dishes. Culinary experts advise mixing sage with butter or cheese to improve the taste of some dishes.
The aroma of marjoram is similar to that of oregano and thyme, so replacing rosemary with it in stews, sauces, soups, and salads is quite appropriate. By the way, unlike rosemary, not the plant itself, but the seeds are used in cooking. A teaspoon of such seeds will enliven food, add zest to salads, fish dishes.
The most common substitute for rosemary in cooking is the bay leaf. Its aroma is more light, so the range of its use in the preparation of a wide variety of dishes is even somewhat wider than that of its "brother".
Substitutes for rosemary include oregano and basil, which are available in dried and fresh varieties indefinitely.
Lack of spice is fully replenished with other spices with similar properties and aromas.
Harm and contraindications
Excessive use of any product, even the most useful, is fraught with complications.
Large doses of spices can cause an allergy to the product.
An overdose can cause vomiting, intestinal cramps, coma, and even the appearance of fluid in the lungs.
Excessive use of spices can lead to more than just a reduction in sperm count. Their density and mobility decrease, which can adversely affect fertility, that is, a person may lose the ability to reproduce viable offspring.
If a person uses rosemary aimlessly, the result of such use of a spicy plant may be an itchy head, dermatitis, or redness of the skin.
The plant and the products produced on its basis are contraindicated in large quantities for women during pregnancy and for those who are about to become pregnant.
Rosemary's ability to influence blood glucose levels makes it dangerous in large doses for diabetics and those with elevated blood sugar levels.
Rosemary requires careful attention and compliance with the norms of its use as a spice in food, as well as a cosmetic and medicinal product.
How to choose and store rosemary
Where to buy rosemary depends on the type of rosemary. So, fresh rosemary can be found in the grocery sections of the markets, and the spice from the dried plant is available in almost every supermarket.
For self-harvesting of the product, the tender ends of the branches and leaves are selected. They are torn off gradually in the course of growth. The most favorable period for their preparation is the end of summer or the beginning of autumn.
You can also buy rosemary in capsules with essential oil.
Storing fresh rosemary does not cause any problems, because its properties are preserved for a long time even in the refrigerator.
The dried plant is recommended to fall asleep in an airtight container and place in a cool and dark place. Proper storage guarantees the preservation of its properties for at least 4 years.
Frozen branches and leaves of the plant do not lose their quality and retain their characteristic aroma.
Rosemary at home
For home growing rosemary, you can use seedlings from places where they are specially sold: shops and nurseries. You can sow seeds or choose a cutting from a growing shrub to plant.
How to grow rosemary
If the decision is made to seed cultivation, then the most successful time for sowing them is the beginning of spring. For at least three weeks, seed containers covered with glass or film should be kept in a refrigerator or in a room with a temperature not exceeding 7 degrees. If the seeds do not germinate, they should be re-sown. Germinated seeds can be placed in a room with a temperature not exceeding 12 degrees, watering moderately, without waterlogging.
The cutting method of growing this plant is more common. Cut from an old rosemary bush, a young shoot up to 10 cm in size is freed from the lower leaves and kept for several seconds in a rooting enhancer. For the formation of young roots, the stalk is placed in a dark container with water. After the roots appear, the twig is planted in a flower pot and exposed to a sunny and warm place.
To get a good bush, it is necessary to observe the light and temperature conditions: for summer - a south window, for winter - a cool window sill with 15 degrees above zero. To preserve rosemary leaves during the cold season, it is important to use artificial lighting. Summer watering of the plant should be moderate, and winter - sparse and only with dried soil. Seasonal top dressing will be useful for the plant.
"Homemade" rosemary will become not only a useful spicy plant in all respects, but also a home decoration.
Interesting Rosemary Facts
This plant is considered an old-timer of the planet Earth.
Ancient people kept a sprig of rosemary in the house, believing that this contributes to a happy, prosperous and healthy life. In their opinion, it gave eternal youth to those who used it for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
It was considered a talisman against bad dreams, misfortunes. The newlyweds received a plant branch as a gift as a symbol of a harmonious and prosperous family life.
The ancient Greeks considered the plant a symbol of the mind and memory. Students of those years decorated their heads with a wreath of rosemary in order to successfully pass the exam and strengthen their mental abilities.
Rosemary is a spicy shrub, an alien from the Mediterranean, it has gained popularity all over the world due to its versatile beneficial properties.
Important: all information on the website is provided for informational purposes only. Before applying any of the recommendations, consult with a specialist. Neither the editors nor the authors are responsible for any possible harm caused by your own actions while reading and understanding in your way.