Rosemary|| Uses Benefits and side effects
What is rosemary?
Rosemary, an herb whose botanical name is Rosmarinus
officinalis, is a sun-loving shrub, native to the south of France and other
Mediterranean regions. It is widely cultivated for its aromatic and medicinal
properties.
This pine-scented evergreen of the Lamiaceae, or mint,
family, can grow to 5 feet (1.5 m) in height in favorable settings. Rosemary
thrives in chalky or sandy soil in full sun. The herb grows wild on dry, rocky
slopes near the sea. Its name is derived from the Latin ros marinus, meaning
‘‘sea dew.’’
Other common names for the herb include polar plant,
compass-weed, or compass plant. The specific name, officinalis, refers to the
herb’s inclusion in official Western listings of medicinal herbs. Rosemary was
a favored herb in early apothecary gardens.
Legend abounds around this lovely perennial known as the ‘‘herb of remembrance.’’ It is said that rosemary will grow particularly well in gardens tended by strong-willed women.
Young brides traditionally carried a sprig of rosemary in their wreaths or wedding bouquets. The young couple may even have been brought together with the magic of a touch of rosemary, as in the refrain of an old ballad: ‘‘Young men and maids do ready stand/With sweet rosemary in their hands.’’
Greek scholars wore a bit of the pungent herb in their hair when engaged in study as an aid to increase concentration. The fragrant herb was exchanged between friends as a symbol of loyalty, and tossed onto the graves of departed loved ones.
Gypsy travelers sought rosemary for its use as a rinse for highlighting dark hair, or as a rejuvenating face wash.
In the fourteenth century, Queen Isabella of Hungary used an alcohol extract of the flowering herb to treat gout. In ancient Egypt the herb was buried with the pharaohs.
Rosemary was believed to have magical powers to banish evil
spirits. It was burned in sick rooms as a disinfectant, and was used to ward
off the plague.
Rosemary’s deep, woody taproot produces stout, branching, scaly, light brown stalks covered with simple, sessile narrow leaves about one in long and opposite, growing in whorls along the square stalks.
Rosemary leaves
are dark green on top and pale green on the underside with a distinctive mid
vein. They curl inward along the margins.
How to uses rosemary for our good healthcare
Rosemary can be used to make an essential oil, a fixed oil,
or teas and tinctures. These different products have different uses
Volatile oil of rosemary:
The volatile oil in rosemary leaves and blossoms, called a
‘‘sovereign balm’’ by the seventeenth-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, has
a long history of edicinal uses in the
West.
Other chemical constituents of rosemary include bitters, borneol, linalol, camphene, camphor,
cineole, pinene, resin, tannins, and rosmarinic
acid, which acts as an antioxidant.
Research has yielded promising results regarding the cancer-inhibiting effects of this antioxidant component of rosemary oil. In addition, rosemary is a circulatory stimulant.
It has been shown to increase coronary blood flow, and
is useful in treatment of blood pressure problems.
A flavonoid known as diosmin in the volatile oil of rosemary can restore strength to fragile capillaries.
Many of the traditional uses for
this healing herb, discovered through trial and error and passed down through
the generations, have not been clinically verified.
The essential oil of rosemary has potent antibacterial and antifungal effects. It was burnt as an incense in rituals, and used in sick rooms to provide protection from disease and infection.
The herb has also been
used as a digestive stimulant and liver tonic. It increases the flow of bile
through its ability to relax the smooth muscle in the digestive tract and
gallbladder.
Rosemary’s astringent properties, due to its tannin content, may help in the treatment of diarrhea, and reduce excessive menstrual flow. Rosemary can be used as a carminative (gas-relieving medication) to ease the discomfort of colic and dyspeptic disorders.
The pungent herb has an energizing effect; it is
used in aromatherapy to improve memory and focus, dispel depression, and
relieve migraine headache.
An external application of essential oil of rosemary, as a component in liniments, can ease pain in rheumatism. An infusion of rosemary, combined with sage (Salvia officinale), makes a good sore throat gargle.
When used as a hair rinse, rosemary will stimulate hairfollicles, and may helpto reduce dandruff. A poultice of the herb may be applied to soothe eczema, or to speed the healing of wounds.
Essential oil of rosemary is a component of many
commercially available lotions, perfumes, liniments, soaps, and mouthwash
preparations.
More recently, carnosol, a naturally occurring antioxidant compound found in rosemary, has been studied for its anticancer properties.
Carnosol appears to be effective against cancer by reducing inflammation and by inhibiting the expression of cancer genes.
Carnosic acid, another compound found in rosemary, appears to reduce the risk of skin cancer by protecting skin cells against the effects of ultraviolet radiation.
How to prepare rosemary for our good healthcare
Dried methods of preparation:
Rosemary leaves and blossoms may be harvested during the second year of growth.
- Carefully trim the branches in 4 in (10 cm) lengths, leaving at least two-thirds of the shrub intact.
- Strip the leaves from the stems and spread out on a tray, or hang the branches in bunches away from direct sunlight in a bright, airy room.
- Store the dried herb in tightly sealed dark containers.
Infusion methods of preparation:
- In a glass teapot, combine 1 oz (28.35 g) of fresh or dried flowering tops with 1 pt of nonchlorinated water that has been brought just to the boiling point.
- Steep the mixture in a covered container for 10–15 min.
- Strain.
- Drink the tea warm up to three cups per day.
Oil infusion methods of preparation:
- Pack a quart jar with fresh rosemary leaves and flowering tops.
- Pour enough olive oil in the jar to cover the herbs completely.
- Seal and place on a sunny windowsill for 2–3 weeks.
- Strain the oil through cheesecloth into a large glass container.
- Squeeze the remainng oil from the cloth.
- Pour this first oil infusion over additional fresh herbs in a jar to cover.
- Seal and place on a sunny window sill for an additional two weeks.
- Strain again through cheesecloth.
Store this second oil infusion in
tightly sealed, clearly labeled, dark glass containers.
Compress methods of preparation:
Soak a cotton pad with the hot infusion of rosemary leaf and apply to bruises or sprains, or as an aid in the healing of wounds and skin irritations.
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Specific health benefits of rosemary
Most famously, rosemary has been considered a tonic for the brain, improving memory and concentration.Get the Blood Going with Rosemary Tea
- One to two teaspoons dried rosemary leaves, crumbled
- one cup boiling water
- Pour the water over the leaves.
- Steep for 10 to 15 minutes and strain.
As an alternative, use equal amounts of rosemary and peppermint in the Get the Blood Going Rosemary Tea for an invigorating lift.
·
Tea made with just rosemary can be used for a
compress to relieve headaches, too.
·
For a migraine make an infusion and take two to
three tablespoons every three hours.
·
The tea and infusion also serve as a tonic for
the nerves, and helps cope with mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion.
·
Additionally, half a teaspoon of rosemary tincture
once a day is a tonic for stress.
As a pungent aromatic, rosemary clears nasal and chest
congestion due to colds, the flu, or sinusitis.
Its antibacterial and antiviral properties fight infection while
providing support for the immune system.
Used as a steam inhalation, it will soothe inflammation.
Rosemary is also an aid for asthma and bronchitis.
The leaves, or both flowers and leaves, can be used for these purposes. The physically warming effect and the aromatic vapors of the herbs in the Rosemary Chest
Rub Infusion and Ointment work together to provide relief and healing.
How to make Rosemary Chest Rub Infusion and Ointment
Ingredients for the infusion Ingredients for the ointment- two teaspoons dried rosemary leaves, crumbled
- ¼–½ cup beeswax or jojoba
- One teaspoon dried sage leaves, crumbled
- One cup infused oil
- one teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crumbled
- one cup oil
First, make an infusion by combining the herbs and oil in a double
boiler. On very low heat, simmer for 30 to 60 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool. Use a stainless steel strainer lined with cheesecloth over a bowl to strain. Fold the cheesecloth over the herbs to press out as much oil as possible.
To make the ointment, place the jojoba or beeswax in a mason jar in a saucepan of water. Warm over low heat until it begins to melt; add the infused oil.
Stir gently with a fork for about 15 minutes. Let it cool. Cover and store in a cool, dark place.
The antiseptic properties of rosemary make it a good gargle to soothe a sore throat and to ease mouth ulcers. It also reduces inflammation and helps firm
the gums while it fights bad breath.
To prepare this use 2 teaspoons of dried leaves in 1 cup of water, and steep for thirty minutes. Drink half a cup and use the other half as a mouthwash and gargle.
As a powerful fungicide, rosemary is ideal for treating athlete’s foot. Make a hot oil infusion to rub on the skin or to use as a foot soak.
A rosemary infusion soothes the itching and inflammation of
eczema and psoriasis, too. It also heals burns and cuts, and because it fights
bacteria, rosemary helps clear acne.
Combine rosemary with lavender and thyme to make an infusion to dab on affected areas, or use the infusion to make a healing cream.
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Skin Healing with Rosemary Infusion
- Two teaspoons
dried rosemary leaves, crumbled
- One teaspoon dried lavender flowers, crumbled
- One teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crumbled
- one cup boiling water
Combine the herbs and then add the water. Steep for 30 to 45
minutes and strain.
An infusion of rosemary massaged into the scalp promotes hair growth and gets rid of dandruff.
Also, steep a fresh sprig or two in a cup of boiling water
for about fifteen minutes. When it cools use it as a rinse for brown hair to
bring out the highlights.
Not only does rosemary go well with a wide range of food, it
also aids digestion by enhancing food absorption. However, when things go awry, brew a cup
of rosemary tea or take two ounces of an infusion to relieve indigestion, gas, or
stomach pain.
Health benefits of Rosemary Essential Oils
Rosemary essential oil ranges from colorless to pale yellow. Its fresh, herbaceous scent has a woody undertone.The steam inhalation mentioned above can be made using essential oil, either rosemary alone or with sage and thyme. To make this;
Just swish 4 drops of essential oil into 1 quart
of steaming water. If you are using a blend, use 2 drops of rosemary and 1 each
of sage and thyme.
The warming effects of rosemary work well to relieve the pain and stiffness of rheumatism brought on by cold weather. Massaging with rosemary also relieves the pain and swelling of arthritis, muscle pain or strain, and ligament sprains.
Combining rosemary with peppermint and chamomile creates an effective massage oil that also reduces stress.
How to make Rosemary Warming Massage Oil
- Six drops rosemary essential oil
- Four drops chamomile essential oil
- Three drops peppermint essential oil
- One ounce carrier oil
Mix the essential oils together and then combine with the
carrier oil.
For leg cramps, use 4 drops of rosemary and 2 drops of chamomile in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil to massage away the pain. This will also
reduce the appearance of varicose veins and broken capillaries.
To treat
temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ), use 1 drop
of rosemary essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.
A drop or two of essential oil on a tissue or a handful of crushed sprigs are effective in reviving someone who has fainted.
Precautions to take when using rosemary
Rosemary should not be used in medicinal preparations during pregnancy or breast-feeding, although it is safe to use in cooking in small quantities to season foods.
Persons with high blood
pressure, epilepsy or diverticulosis, chronic ulcers, or colitis, should not take
rosemary internally for medicinal purposes.
Rosemary acts as an emmenagogue, stimulating the flow of menstrual blood. The essential oil of rosemary was once used in folk practice in attempts to induce abortion.
As with all essential oils, only small amounts of it should be used, either topically or internally.
An overdose of essential oil of rosemary may lead to deep coma, vomiting, spasms, uterine bleeding, gastroenteritis, kidney irritation, and even death, according to the PDR for Herbal Medicines. No documented cases have been reported, however.
Side effects of rosemary
No side effects are known when rosemary is used in designated therapeutic doses, properly harvested, prepared, and administered.
Some persons, however, may be allergic to rosemary or its oils, and experience nausea and vomiting.
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