Rosemary 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Rosemary – 100 g ($8.99), 50 g ($6.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:

Rosemary is a potent antioxidant, antiseptic, and antispasmodic. In European folk medicine, it was used both internally and externally. Rosemary was ingested for digestive disorders, headaches, menstrual ailments, exhaustion, dizziness, and poor memory. Externally, it has been used for myalgia (muscle pain), neuralgia (nerve pain), and sciatica. There are homeopathic remedies for gastrointestinal disorders. The German Commission E has approved it for oral use for dyspeptic disorders and externally as a supportive therapy for rheumatic disease and circulatory problems. In addition, it has been used for dandruff, greasy scalp, and hair growth. More recently, it has been investigated as a cancer therapy.

Alzheimer’s disease, memory problems. Rosemary has had a long history of use for enhancing memory. In one study, participants who received rosemary aromatherapy for three minutes showed decreases in alpha and beta power, which suggests increased alertness. They also had reduced anxiety and exhibited better performance on memory testing. Rosemary is suitable for patients with Alzheimer’s disease because it is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor. COX-2 inhibitors have been proposed for use as drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. Rosemary contains natural compounds that inhibit COX-2 (apigenin, carvacrol, eugenol, etc.). It also has ferulic acid, which when fed to mice injected with beta-amyloid (the major constituent of brain plaque) had better cognition compared to a control group. Human studies, however, are lacking.

Cancer. Research shows that rosemary has strong antioxidant effects. Several animal studies indicate that rosemary can prevent cancer-causing chemicals from binding to and causing mutations in cellular DNA. This was later reconfirmed in human cells. Rosemary has been shown to inhibit the carcinogen aflatoxin from binding to liver cells and to prevent benzopyrene from binding to bronchial cells. These results show that its potential protective abilities go beyond one carcinogen and one type of tissue. Other research has found that whole rosemary extract can stimulate liver enzymes that defuse carcinogens and reduce those enzymes that can enhance carcinogens. No human studies are available as this is a new area of research.

Circulatory problems, eczema, rheumatic disorders, and sore muscles. In European folk medicine, rosemary baths were used to prevent bacterial infection complicating eczema. Rosemary baths also stimulate blood circulation to the skin. This action helps the body to circulate the immune cells that cause eczema away from the skin and to circulate antibodies and other immune cells that fight infection to the skin. Rosemary contains camphor, which increases the blood supply to the skin. Because of this property, using rosemary in the bath helps to reduce pain in rheumatic muscles and joints. Rosemary baths also help to improve disorders characterized by chronic circulatory weakness, such as low blood pressure, varicose veins, bruises, and sprains.

Indigestion and menstrual cramps. Rosemary helps to relax muscles, including the muscles of the digestive tract and the uterus.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Rosemary relieves intestinal cramps and spasms. It also eases bloated feelings and stops flatulence. The bitter substances in rosemary stimulate the release of bile, aiding the digestion of dietary fat and lowering cholesterol levels.

Recommended Use

Rosemary is available as enteric-coated oil capsules, oils (which can be used for aromatherapy), and teas (which can be used as skin washes). Daily doses are 4 to 6 grams of the herb or 10 to 20 drops of the essential oil externally. However, smaller quantities are probably sufficient and safer (for example, 2 drops). Externally, the typical amount is 50 grams of the herb per one bath or 6 to 10 percent essential oil in a semisolid and liquid preparation. Continuous medicinal use of rosemary should be avoided by women who have heavy menstrual flow. Since this herb is a uterine stimulant, it should not be used medically during pregnancy. Rosemary leaves taken in large quantities have been used for the purpose of abortion and can result in deep coma, spasm, vomiting, gastroenteritis, uterine bleeding, kidney irritation, and death. The small amounts of rosemary used in cooking do not pose a risk of any side effects. You should never ingest the essential oil. It can irritate the stomach and intestines, and cause kidney damage.

Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
English: Rosemary
Also, known as: Alecrim, Azir, Biberine, Biberye, Boithran, Common Rosemary, Echter Rosmarin, Encensier, Garden Rosemary, Gusmarino, Hasalban, Hatsa Louban, Hhassa Luban, Iklil, Iklil El Jabal, Iklil Kuhi, Kusdilli, Mannenrou, Old Man, Romani, Romarin, Romero, Romero Blanco, Rosmariin, Rosmarina, Rosmarin, Rosmarini, Rosmarino, Rosemary, Tresmarino, Rusmari, Ikleel Al-Jabal, Iklil Al-Jabal, Libuntish, Qakrus, Khngooni, Xnkuni, Razmaryn, Rozmarin, Maih Diht Heung, Mi Die Xiang, Rozmaryna, Rozmaryna Lekarska, Rozmaryn Lekarsky, Rosmarin, Rozemarijn, Rosmareno, Eklil Kuhi, Rozmari, Rosmariini, Romarin, Rosmarin Encens, Rosmarin, Ecensier, Romeiro, Romeu, Rozmarini, Rosmarin, Dentrolivano, Dendrolivano, Rozmari, Rozmaring, Rosmarin, Ramerino, Rosmarino, Rojumari, Rojumeri, Rozumari, Mannenro, Ruzmarin, Rozmaryn, Rosmeri, Rozmarin Lekarsky, Rozmarín, Romero, Rosmario, Rosmarin, Rosmaeri, Rozmaryn, Rozmaryn Spravzhni
Origin: Spain
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a generally a bushy, low, much branched, erect, rounded, evergreen shrub with aromatic, needle-like, gray-green leaves and tiny, two-lipped, pale blue to white flowers. It typically grows to 1-2-meter-tall in areas where it is winter hardy. Rosemary leaves are needle-shaped, dark green above and pale white below, with rolled-in margins. They have a pungent, bitter taste and a strong spicy aroma. Old branches brown in color. The violet-blue or whitish flowers are borne in small axillary racemes. The calyx and corolla are two-lipped, the latter around 1.25 cm in length and enclosing two stamens, the male sex organs in a flower.
The intensely fragrant foliage of this shrub is commonly harvested for a variety of purposes including culinary flavourings, toiletries, and sachets. Rosemary is a popular spice in many Western countries, but its usage is most popular in the Mediterranean countries, especially Italy and Southern France. Rosemary does not lose its flavour by long cooking, as many other leaves unfortunately do. The fresh leaves have a purer fragrance and are therefore preferred whenever available. Rosemary is one of those herbs that are more potent in the dried than in the fresh state. Dried rosemary is among the most powerful herbal spices, and care must be taken not to overdose which may result in a disagreeable perfumed odour.
Genus name comes from the Latin words ros (dew) and marinus (sea), meaning dew of the sea.

How to use: As a spice.