All about the herb Rosemary and how it can help to improve your health!ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosemary is hard to grow from seed but easy to propagate by cutting or layering. It needs light, well drained soil and ample sun, proferably in a sheltered space. The flowers are gathered when they are in full bloom and then dried. The evergreen leaves can be collected at any time of the year. The leaves are scalded and then dried. Rosemary is useful infusions, liquid extracts and as essential oil. Fairly harsh spring pruning will keep plants bushy. The attractive, small flowers are usually blue, sometimes pink or white. Leaves and sprigs can be cut at any time of the year. Rosemary stimulates the brain and heightens concentration, which may account for it reputation for improving memory. Its ability to relax tense muscles in this area also makes it an excellent remedy for headaches and migraine. Rosemary has a warming effect, stimulating the heart and circulation, dispelling cold and winter blues, improving circulation and vitality, and aiding digestion. It helps clear toxins from the body by enhancing liver function and by increasing the flow of urine, and is useful for arthritis and gout. Like other aromatic herbs, rosemary contains antiseptic volatile oils which enhance the immune system. A hot cup of tea helps bring down fevers, clear phlegm, and chase away coughs, colds, sore throats, and chest infections, and by relieving bronchial spasm it can be helpful in asthma. Externally a bath with a few drops of rosemary oil is an excellent pick me up when you feel tired or achy. Rub the dilute oil on the inflamed joints, on to you scalp to check hair fall, or on to the skin for infections such as scabies or lice. Rubbed into the temples it soothes headaches and dispels lethargy. The tea can be used to treat bleeding gums. It also cures hangovers. Cautions: The essential oil should not be taken, and should not be used topically by pregnant or breast feeding women, children or those with hypersensitive skin. If pregnant or breastfeeding, do not consume more rosemary than would normally be found in the diet. Do not take the herb if anaemic, and avoid taking rosemary and iron supplements at the same time. Diana Roughan, Herbalist, HHG(Dip) MH |
