Rosemary's medicinal magic

VERSATILE: Rosemary is great with food - and also has medicinal uses.

Rosemary is a very well known garden plant with many uses. We mainly tend to think of it as a culinary herb, however rosemary is also a powerful medicinal herb, with ancient folklore recognition.
Rosemary is a native to the rocky shores of the Mediterranean. It grows well in sunny, well-drained soils, preferring an alkaline pH. This is a plant that is easy to grow from cuttings and seeds and is very hardy to drought and frost.
There are two main varieties of rosemary. The upright version grows into a very dense bushy evergreen shrub that can reach up to 1 ½ - 3 metres tall. The prostrate version makes excellent ground cover and can hang over a wall. The foliage on both is dark green and very aromatic. There are variegated forms that are not as vigorous. The flowers are usually a bright violet blue but there are white, pink and pale blue varieties.
For all culinary, medicinal and folklore purposes, the leaves and flowers are used. The leaves may be gathered throughout the year, but the plant's oil is most concentrated at flowering.
Nutritionally, rosemary offers vitamin A and C and the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc.
The therapeutic actions of rosemary include;
¦ An excellent general tonic - it is both mentally stimulating and physically relaxing. I have elaborated on this in the following two points
¦ Relieves muscle spasms - use as a muscle relaxant after intense exercise by placing in the bath or massage oil, or for overall relaxation have a cup of tea
¦ Stimulates the nervous and circulatory systems - this makes it a wonderful tonic for the brain to help memory and concentration, relieve headaches and low mood. If you are studying, drink rosemary tea or enjoy the scent of a crushed rosemary sprig or drop of essential oil. While driving, try putting a sprig over the air conditioning vent to help keep you alert
¦ Has mild analgesic properties, and stimulates blood flow to the specific area if used topically - rub the affected area with massage oil or use in a bath to relieve nerve and muscle pain
¦ Dispels wind from within the digestive system, making it particularly helpful for indigestion
¦ Anti-bacterial and viral - use as a tea/gargle and inhalation during colds and flus
¦ An antioxidant - it is ideal to include a variety of antioxidants in your diet
¦ Using an infusion regularly as a hair rinse may help scalp conditions such as dandruff and baldness.
It is important to note, rosemary should not be used medicinally during pregnancy and the essential oil should never be placed directly on the skin.
Now for some folklore of rosemary.
It is one of the oldest known incenses. As an ancient tradition it was burned to purify and clear negative energy.
In the bath it purifies, and placed under the bed it is said to protect the sleeper from harm and keep nightmares away. Hung over doors and doorposts, it will keep thieves away.
Rosemary was traditionally used in floral arrangements for both weddings and funerals.
In medieval symbolism of the Christian church, Rosemary was the symbol of the nativity of Christ and was used accordingly in this celebration.
Rosemary is one of the most well known culinary herbs.
Traditionally it is used when roasting lamb and is an essential ingredient in Mediterranean and Italian cooking. Try adding a tablespoon of chopped rosemary when making bread, pizza bases or scones, and add to stews and marinades. The fresh flowers can be added to salads.
Below are a couple of recipes to try.
Rosemary Mustard
2 Tablespoon mustard powder, 2 Tablespoon white flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoon sugar, 1 Tablespoon chopped Rosemary, and Wine vinegar to mix. Combine all ingredients and mix to desired consistency with wine vinegar. Keep in a sealed jar for 2-4 weeks before using.
Rosemary Baked Potatoes
Wash potatoes and cut in half without peeling, sprinkle with salt and finely chopped rosemary and place cut side down on an oiled baking tray. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until soft at 200 degrees Celsius. Serve with butter or sour cream.