Rosemary

Rosemary is a semi-shrub with narrow, short leaves that are somewhat reminiscent of conifer needles. The leaves are two-tone: in the upper part they have a rich emerald color, and below – matte white. This shrub is evergreen, so it serves as a real decoration of nature at any time of the year. However, he loves warmth, and grows very reluctantly in countries with a harsh climate. The height of the plant reaches one and a half meters, some varieties can grow up to 2 meters in height.

Rosemary has a distinctive aroma for which it is known throughout the world. This fragrance is somewhat reminiscent of the open spaces of the sea, especially since the shrub is very fond of warm places near the seas. For example, in the Crimea, rosemary is very often used as a decoration of plots, making a real hedge out of it. Tellingly, it begins to bloom very early, usually in late February and early March. Flowers come in a variety of hues, depending on each individual cultivar, ranging from white to deep purple.

Rosemary is very easy to grow, as it does not require specific types of soil and is unpretentious in this regard. However, it needs abundant moisture so that it can grow normally, as well as warm winters when temperatures do not drop below minus 10 degrees Celsius. It is for this reason that in domestic open spaces it is often grown either in greenhouses, or (even more often) rosemary is immediately grown at home in pots.

Historical facts

For the first time, rosemary, like many other medicinal or spicy plants, became known in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece. It was also included in a considerable number of sacred plants. It was very often used in various historical or religious rites, with its help they drove out evil spirits from dwellings. It was believed that the Greek gods adorn themselves with wreaths of blooming rosemary and simply adore this plant. That is why the Greeks very often did the same thing: they wove wreaths from a flowering plant or its greenery and decorated their heads. It was especially popular among philosophers and writers: it was believed that such a wreath could refresh the mind and inspire new ideas.

In addition, it is considered a symbol of prosperity and abundance, so it is very often used to attract good luck and give to newlyweds so that the family is strong and the house is a full bowl.

The Greeks considered rosemary to be the plant of Venus, because, in their opinion, it was able to make a person happy, cheerful and carefree, as well as inspire love deeds. In addition, it was used as a remedy for bad dreams and to prolong the freshness of the youth of the soul and body.

Rosemary was an indispensable plant in the home of a person who was ill, as it was believed that it tones the body’s forces. For the sake of preventing various diseases, it has become an obligatory attribute of large gatherings of people, for example, during holidays or folk processions. This opinion is absolutely true, because rosemary contains substances that prevent the development of pathogenic bacteria in the body.

properties of plants

Rosemary contains camphor, eucalyptus oil, as well as verbenone and borneol. It is thanks to them that it has such a rich aroma, and a bitter aftertaste is the merit of carnosol and rosmarinic acid.

As for medicinal purposes, young shoots or leaves of the plant are used for this. Most often they are harvested during flowering, but sometimes before that. The healing properties of rosemary have been known for a very long time: it is able to stimulate the immune system, fights inflammation and has a general tonic effect on the body. It is able to help people fight depression, heal wounds and remove toxins.

Rosemary is recommended for those with mental or physical exhaustion, people with low blood pressure, and is also considered an excellent tool for increasing libido. Even diseases such as rheumatism or sciatica can be treated with rosemary by taking a bath with the addition of this plant.

Rosemary is used as a sedative, including to improve memory, so it was used very often and very actively in the past by students and schoolchildren in order to stimulate their mental activity and calm down before the exam. In addition, rosemary helps to relax and cheer up. It is best to add a few drops of oil to the bathroom for this.

rosemary oil

Rosemary oil can be easily made at home if you can’t buy it or don’t want to. To make rosemary oil, take a few whole branches of the plant and place them in a glass container with cool olive oil. This oil must be placed in the sun so that the plant gives up the maximum of its beneficial substances. Keep it in this state for 6 weeks, then strain very carefully, pour into a glass container, close carefully and store in a dark, cool place.

In addition, an essential oil is obtained from rosemary in a much more complicated way, which is best used for massage for pain in the muscles or joints. In addition, rosemary essential oil is often used to treat various upper respiratory ailments. It has also proven effective as a cleanser for the liver or kidneys.

In addition, the essential oil can significantly enhance the sense of smell and hearing, and it is also often used to help with vision problems. People who suffer from bad dreams, or who cannot sleep due to constant stress, or suffer from constant headaches, can also benefit from essential oil. To do this, you need to apply it on the temples with light massage movements before going to bed if you have insomnia, or at any time of the day for a general tonic effect and relieve headaches. By itself, this oil, with regular (even external) use, due to its aroma, can increase efficiency, concentration and improve memory.

If you use rosemary essential oil, be sure to dilute it with some other natural neutral oil, such as flaxseed. The fact is that a high concentration of essential oil can cause burning of the skin.

The use of rosemary in medicine

On the basis of rosemary, special medical ointments are made, which are famous for their good ability to overcome such a problem as sciatica. Also, with sciatica, it is very useful to use baths with the addition of rosemary sprigs, which will not only help with sciatica, but also generally increase blood circulation, raise blood pressure, help relieve fatigue and get rid of stress.

Very often, rosemary is also used to treat the female reproductive system. Doctors recommend the use of rosemary during menopause for its easier flow, and also if a woman has a menstrual cycle. Sometimes it is taken even during pregnancy to reduce the irritability associated with hormonal changes, as well as to minimize the manifestations of toxicosis. However, during pregnancy, this should be done carefully and after consulting with your doctor.

Rosemary Recipes for Treatment and Prevention

An infusion of the leaves helps with various respiratory diseases. To do this, you need to take it orally 3-4 times a day. It is no less useful during a cold: you can use it to improve your condition if you gargle or use it to rinse your nose.

Dried rosemary infusion is often used as an effective remedy for flatulence and for various problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, doctors recommend taking a weak infusion for people who have suffered a stroke, as this plant is able to restore blood circulation in the brain.

rosemary decoction

Take two teaspoons of dried leaves, add 250 ml of boiling water to them and boil the resulting mixture for 15-20 minutes. Then let cool slightly and strain thoroughly. The resulting mixture should be consumed in a teaspoon half an hour before meals.

Alcohol tincture

For 250 ml of vodka or diluted alcohol, you need to take 20 grams of dried leaves, insist the resulting mixture in a dark, cool place for 10 days, stirring occasionally. Then carefully strain and store in a dark place. Drink 25 drops 3 times a day half an hour before meals, adding to a small amount of water.

Rosemary infusion

Add 250 teaspoons of chopped raw materials to 2 ml of boiling water, insist for half an hour and strain thoroughly. The resulting mixture must be drunk in one day, in about 5 doses.

rosemary tea

To do this, add about one teaspoon of dry rosemary to one cup of boiling water, and let it brew well. Such tea will save with weakness, stress or after illness. A few glasses a day are enough to make you feel much better and more energized.

Rosemary in cooking

Rosemary is very often used in cooking as a spice. Leaves are used for this, and the plant gained the greatest popularity as a spice in France: they make vinegar from it to add to various dishes, and also add leaves to meat. This helps to bring out the taste of the meat and give it a completely new note, because the leaves have a fresh aroma and a little bitter taste, and they are also able to kill the specific smell of certain types of meat, such as lamb. It is very actively used in cooking during the processing of meat, including because it does not lose its properties and pleasant aroma even after heat treatment, so it can be added to the dish even in the process of stewing or frying. If you like the aroma and taste of rosemary, you can try adding it not only to meat products, but also to cheese, and in small quantities you can even add it to some desserts to diversify their taste.

If you like rosemary, but not in the strong aroma that it contains on its own, you can try adding it to neutral vegetable oil or salt, so that it will take on the aroma of rosemary, but in a not too strong form. Rosemary is not recommended to be added to fish, as it is able to interrupt its delicate taste with its aroma. The same applies to sauces or marinades with a delicate taste: in this case, it is better to give preference to either salt with rosemary, or to refuse it altogether.

The use of rosemary in cosmetology

The plant itself is used to combat excess weight, and it is also considered an excellent means of combating cellulite. Rosemary has a very good effect on the skin, smoothing it, stimulating blood flow to the epidermis and providing a rejuvenating effect. Rosemary is often used to make face tonics. If you apply them regularly, a pronounced effect will be noticeable. Very often in cosmetology, the essential oil of a plant is used, which is able to fight inflammation and rashes on the skin due to its ability to prevent the development of bacteria. That is why it is actively used to treat problems such as acne, abscesses or small wounds that have become infected.

Rosemary is also used for hair, usually oil extracted from it. Due to its ability to stimulate blood circulation, it helps to strengthen hair and stimulate its growth, and will also be an excellent remedy for dandruff.

Rosemary oil is used in cosmetology, as it is able to have an anti-inflammatory effect and helps to cope with skin rashes, as well as significantly improves skin condition, tightens pores and removes fine wrinkles. With regular use of essential oil, it stimulates the processes of skin regeneration, significantly improves its condition and appearance.

Contraindications to use

Rosemary is contraindicated for medicinal purposes during pregnancy, as it stimulates the body, can cause increased uterine tone, which sometimes leads to miscarriage. It is for this reason that it is forbidden to take it and people suffering from epilepsy. Also, if you have high blood pressure, don’t use rosemary as it raises it even higher. It is advisable to avoid infusions and decoctions of rosemary when it comes to treating or helping young children.

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