Rosemary

January 24th, 2007

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region and in Uruguay. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which also includes many other herbs. Forms range from upright to trailing; the upright forms can reach 1.5 m tall, rarely 2 m. The leaves are evergreen, 2-4 cm long and 2-5 mm broad, green above, and white below with dense short woolly hairs. The flowers are variable in color, being white, pink, purple, or blue.

Rosemary is a medium-sized evergreen shrub that grows to a height of seven feet. Native to Portugal, the plant takes its name from the Latin “ros marinus,” which means “sea dew.” Rosemary shrubs consist of stiff branches with long, needle-like leaves that are dark green above and white underneath. Pale blue flowers grow on the ends of the leaves. The leaves and parts of the flowers contain a volatile oil and are used medicinally. It is also used as a spice in cooking.

The name rosemary has nothing to do with the rose or the name Mary, but derives from the Latin name rosmarinus, which literally means “dew of the sea”, though some think this too may be derived from an earlier name.

In clinical studies, rosemary oil has displayed antibacterial and antifungal properties. Two of the oil’s constituents, carnosol and ursolic acid, appear to work as antioxidants. The oil has also been shown to reduce spasms in smooth muscle (such as the gallbladder and intestines) and, to a lesser extent, cardiac muscle. In other research, carnosol inhibited the growth of bronchial cancer cells.

Cultivation
The fresh and dried leaves are used frequently in traditional Mediterranean cuisine as an herb; they have a bitter, astringent taste, which complements oily foods, such as lamb and oily fish. A tisane can also be made from them. They are extensively used in cooking, and when burned gives off a distinct mustard smell, which can be used to flavor foods while barbequeing.

Since it is attractive and tolerates some degree of drought, it is also used in landscaping, especially in areas having a Mediterranean climate. It can in fact die in over-watered soil, but is otherwise quite easy to grow for beginner gardeners. It is very pest-resistant.

Rosemary is easily pruned into shapes and has been used for topiary. When grown in pots, it is best kept trimmed to stop it getting too straggly and unsightly, though when grown in a garden, rosemary can grow quite large and still be attractive. It can be propagated from an existing plant by clipping a shoot 10-15 cm long, stripping a few leaves from the bottom, and planting it directly into soil.

General Uses:
Rosemary is a useful food preservative, according to research published in 1987 by Rutgers University, New Jersey. Researchers at Rutgers patented a chemical derived from rosemary that compares favorably with BHA and BHT in its preservative properties.

Rosemary can be added as an unusual extra flavoring in lemonade.

Medicinal uses:

Traditionally, rosemary has been used to increase urine production, reduce muscle spasms and stimulate menstrual blood flow. Externally, the plant has been used as a poultice to promote wound healing.
Rosemary has been found to be a stimulant and mild analgesic, and has been used to treat headaches, poor circulation, and many ailments for which stimulants are prescribed.

It can be used as a disinfectant, as a mouth wash and to treat fever or rheumatism.

Externally it can be used in hair lotions; a few drops of Rosemary oil massaged into the scalp, then rinsed with an infusion of nettles can revitalize the hair. Used in this manner, it is supposed to prevent premature baldness. Rosemary is also reported to stop dandruff.

Hungary water was first invented for a Queen of Hungary to ‘renovate vitality of paralysed limbs’. It was used externally and prepared by mixing 180g of fresh rosemary tops in full flower into a liter of spirits of wine. Leave to stand for four days then distill. It is also supposed to work as a remedy against gout if rubbed vigorously on hands and feet.For a tonic against headaches put some sprigs into a teapot, add hot water, strain, and serve.

Rosemary has a very old reputation for improving memory, and has been used as a symbol for remembrance (during weddings, war commemorations and funerals) in Europe, probably as a result of this reputation. Students in ancient Greece are reported to have worn sprigs of rosemary in their hair while studying for exams to improve their memory[citation needed], and mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance”.

Rosemary and its constituents carnosol and ursolic acid have been shown to inhibit the growth of skin tumors and to provide a natural anti-oxidant protection against skin cancer and photodamage.

Don Quixote (Chapter XVII, 1st volume) mixes it in his recipe of the miraculous balm of Fierabras with revolting results.

How much rosemary should I take?

Depending on the way rosemary is prepared, the following daily doses are recommended:

Internal.

Tincture (1:5): 2-4ml

Infusion: 2-4 grams

Fluid extract (1:1 in 45% alcohol): 1-2ml

Rosemary wine: 20 grams of rosemary is added to one liter of wine and allowed to stand for five days

External

Essential oil (6-10%): two drops semisolid or liquid in one tablespoon base oil

Infusion: 50 grams of rosemary in one liter of hot water added to bath water

What are some good sources of rosemary? What forms are available?

Rosemary comes only from the rosemary plant. The leaves and twigs are used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Rosemary is available as a powder or dry extract. Some liquid preparations, such as tinctures and rosemary wine, are made using the plant’s leaves and volatile oils.

What can happen if I don’t get enough rosemary? What can happen if I take too much? Are there any side-effects I should be aware of?

When taken as directed, rosemary is generally considered safe and devoid of adverse side-effects. However, there have been occasional reports of allergic reactions to rosemary. Large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause serious side-effects, including coma, spasm, vomiting and pulmonary edema.

Women who are pregnant or lactating should not use rosemary. Topical preparations containing rosemary may cause adverse reactions in patients who are allergic to camphor. Excessive quantities of rosemary oil taken internally can cause convulsions. Make sure to consult with a health care provider before taking rosemary or rosemary supplements.

Health Precautions: In some cases, rosemary can cause autoimmune diseases. Rosemary in culinary or therapeutic doses is generally safe, however precaution is necessary for those displaying allergic reaction, or those prone to epileptic seizure. Rosemary essential oil is a powerful convulsant; if applied to the skin, it may cause seizures in otherwise healthy adults or children. Rosemary essential oil is potentially toxic if ingested. Large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause adverse reactions, such as coma, spasm, vomiting, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) that can be fatal. Avoid consuming large quantities of rosemary if pregnant or breastfeeding.

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Source:ChiroFind.com and /en.wikipedia.org