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Rosemary, Baby!

A little herb with big impact
Judy Dedmon Coyle
Thursday, January 14th, 2010
rosemary
I do not have a green thumb. Any plant that enters my house better have its affairs in order because it's going down. It may be quick and painless as is the experience of any orchid I get or it may be a slow painful death as that suffered by my zee zee plant, which Julie England says is practically impossible to kill. Outside plants fare no better. The one exception to this mass slaughter is rosemary. When other people are losing their rosemary to extreme heat or cold, mine flourishes.

Shiny green spear shaped leaves with tender green shoots at almost any time of year, my rosemary, not content with its triumph over my herb garden, is taking over my yard. Even when cut back with sharp shears and hard heart each winter, it grows on. While it may be annoying here is the good news: not only is rosemary versatile and delicious with meats, chicken, fish and vegetables, it's very good for you.

Long used by herbalists and natural medicine practitioners, rosemary contains compounds that stimulate the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion, ease menstrual pain and regulate hormonal activity, provide relief from muscle aches, stimulate the liver, reduce stress, soothe canker sores, and  improve sleep. It's also been found helpful for asthma, convulsive coughs, headaches, dandruff, and liver damage. Rosemary is high in many of the B vitamins, beta-carotene/Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.

But wait, there's more. Rosemary is also rich in anti-oxidants that help repress free radical activity. A study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry in 2008 suggests that carnosic acid, unique to rosemary, may protect the brain from degenerative diseases including Alzheimer's.

For millennia, rosemary has enjoyed a reputation for stimulating memory. In ancient Greece, students would put a sprig of rosemary behind their ears to enhance memory and mental clarity. I'm considering a new hairstyle with rosemary subtlety woven among the strands-just to test this long held theory.

There are more discreet ways to unleash rosemary's awesome powers: it can, of course, be added to food-don't bother stripping those tiny leaves off, just throw a clean sprig or two into whatever dish you're making. Fish the stems out later if you wish or let the eaters deal with them. Freshly boiled water with three sprigs of rosemary makes a surprisingly light and delicate tea, or add fresh ginger slices and lemon to the mix. A couple of sprigs can be added to black or green tea for flavor as well as health benefits. You can make your own rosemary oil and use it for shiny hair and glowing skin. If you don't have rosemary plants bent on world domination and must bring in supplies, tinctures, teas, capsules, and oils can be found at health food stores.

While all this does bring to mind the old SNL skit-it's a floor wax AND a dessert topping, I assure you that I do not belong to the Council for Rosemary Acceptance and Propagation. However, if friends and neighbors want to come by and haul off some of this rosemary, I do have cuttings available.

 


Comments

Folklore, Legends and Myths of Rosemary

Hello Judy, I appreciate your post on Rosemary which happens to be my all time favorite herb followed by Basil. I grow and herb garden every year so that I can always use fresh herbs in my cooking. Your comment "In ancient Greece, students would put a sprig of rosemary behind their ears to enhance memory and mental clarity." Brought to mind something I'd like to share that I uncovered about this marvelous plant. Folklore, Legends and Myths of Rosemary For centuries, Rosemary has decorated homes and Churches. In England, garlands of Rosemary were wound around church pillars, sprigs were strewn on floors and branches were placed on altars. Rosemary's affiliation with Christmas may have evolved from the legend of Mother Mary, who was sheltered by a rosemary bush as she rested on her escape into Egypt. As the story goes, she threw her blue cape on the bush to dry and the white flowers turned to blue. Forever after, the plant was called "the rose of Mary." Greek physicians prescribed the herb to relieve mental disorders and scholars studying for examinations braided garlands of rosemary into their hari, believing the herb would enhance their memory. Many superstitions surround rosemary's power. It would grow only in the gardens of the righteous. A sprig placed under the pillow would repel evil spirits and bad dreams. Dried rosemary was laid in the bed linen to ensure faithfulness. Throughout the centuries the attributes of rosemary have been credited with cure-alls for melancholy, epilepsy, jaundice, nervous disorders, arthritis, reduction of varicose veins and more. During the middle ages, all elegant weddings utilized the herb rosemary, which is the symbol of remembrance and fidelity. Sprigs were dipped in gold, tied with a ribbon and given to the wedding guests. Rosemary has a long culinary history and its pronounced and distinctive tase is best used with reserve. It is best known to enhance the taste of meat. Modern day uses include cooking by simply clipping the leaves and adding fresh rosemary to your favorite sauces or soups. it give the home a wonderful aromatic scent, simply clip off small leaves and place in your favorite potpourri container and brew for a fresh outdoors smell or cut stems and use in your favorite floral arrangement. Ever since I read the Folkore, Legends and Myths of Rosemary, my favorite "the rose of Mary" and how it was used for "weddings as a symbol of Remembrance and Fidelity" -- today, whenever I have a new business venture, I cut a bouquet of rosemary from my garden and tie it with gold ribbon and give it to my clients or business partners as a sign of Remembering what is important about our relationship and in lieu of fidelity I use the word Trust." Also, my dad, now 82 years old came to visit and cut long rosemary branches and made me the most beautiful Christmas wreath out of Rosemary and I hung it on my front door where everytime someone came through the door could smell the aroma of Rosemary. Sadly, lasts about as long as a live cut Christmas Tree but right now its hanging in my garage -- I guess I could use it as dried herbs but its still so pretty I haven't touched it. If I can figure out how to post a picture I can share a photo of it. Jane
Submitted by jryanjane on February 7, 2010 - 1:25pm.

Great information!

Jane, I love these myths surrounding rosemary. Thanks for sharing this. We'd love to see the wreath. If you send a photo to info @ goodnewsgirlz.com, we can post it for you. Judy
Submitted by judy on February 8, 2010 - 5:42pm.

What's your secret?

I love Rosemary...but cannot keep it alive in a potted container, which isn't surprising given my track record with orchids and even cactus...is the secret to just let it grow wild?
Submitted by cweekley on January 14, 2010 - 7:20pm.

The secret of the rosemary

I'm not sure. Mine is in a cozy little place against the house. It gets lots of sun and rain, but limited wind and cold. It does also get cut way back every year. Someone with plant knowledge may be able to tell us what's going on out there.
Submitted by judy on January 17, 2010 - 10:12pm.
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