Top Ten Benefits of Rosemary

Rosemary is good for your health whether it’s fresh dried or used as an oil.

Vitamins A and C are present in the plant. Also, some minerals include folate, zinc, riboflavin, thiamin, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and iron.

You can grow rosemary year-round. Just place it in a pot and keep inside when temperatures get to be freezing or below outside. It likes to stay dry almost like a cactus so don’t give it too much love or it might not last.

Dictionary.com describes rosemary as being an evergreen shrub, Rosmarinus officinalis, of the mint family, native to the Mediterranean region,   having leathery, narrow leaves and pale-blue, bell-shaped flowers, used as a seasoning and in perfumery and medicine: a traditional symbol of remembrance.

Here is a little more history about the herb.

“Rosemary’s name is rooted in legend. The story goes that during her flight from Egypt, the Virgin Mary draped her blue cloak on a Rosemary bush. She then laid a white flower on top of the cloak. That night, the flower turned blue and the bush was thereafter known as the ‘rose of Mary’. Greeks, who wove Rosemary wreaths into their hair, believed Rosemary strengthened the brain and enhanced memory. It was also known as a symbol of fidelity. In the Middle Ages, Rosemary was used medicinally and as a condiment for salted meats. In Europe, wedding parties burned Rosemary as incense. Judges burned it to protect against illness brought in by prisoners.”

The herb can be used as or in:

• Aromatherapy
• Cooking in salads, dips, soups and or sandwiches.
• Herbal Tea
• Beauty aid
• Essential oil

It is one of the most diverse herbs and helps with a number of problems and diseases. Here is my top ten list for the benefits of rosemary.

1. Boost Memory and Mental Focus. Add a few drops to your diffuser or place a couple of drops on a cloth and breathe in.
2. Helps with Stress and Fights Anxiety. The calming scent soothes the mind and relieves tense muscles. Again, use your diffuser.
3. Relieves Headaches. Rosemary reduces swelling, so it will relieve a headache and minor migraines. Simply rub a drop or two of rosemary oil mixed with 1 Tablespoon of carrier oil to each temple.
4. Helps Clear your Nasal passage. Add a few drops to a hot bath and breathe deeply as the steam rises.
5. Stimulates Hair Growth. This happens by adding a 1/4 cup of rosemary to 3 cups of hot water and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool and pour over your scalp a few times a week. The rosemary will stimulate blood flow and promote hair follicle growth by letting more nutrients in.
6. Helps Inflammation and Pain. This can include arthritic pain, gout, stiff neck, and menstrual cramps. Simply warm 1-2 Tablespoons of a carrier oil such as olive oil in the microwave for a few seconds and add a few drops of rosemary. Rub on the affected area for 3-5 minutes multiple times a day until the pain has been relieved. You can keep a bowl with the oil mixture handy and rub vigorously between the hands to warm if you don’t have a place to heat it. Be careful not to burn yourself when using a microwave.
7. Boosts the Immune System; say no to diseases and germs. With the phytochemicals, this herb can prevent or block cancer and reduce swelling. Drink a rosemary tea for these benefits and to stay healthy by keeping colds and coughs at bay.
8. Helps with Respiratory Problems. Rosemary kills bacteria and stops spasms. This prevents flu bugs, colds, and infections. Make a rub the same as in number six and rub on your chest a few times a day. You can also put a few drops on a handkerchief and breathe in deeply. This will help with respiratory problems.
9. Improves Digestion by fighting germs in food and regulating bile. Rosemary helps control gas, bloating and prevents constipation by drinking a tea. First, add 1-2 teaspoons of dried rosemary to a hot cup of water and let steep for 5 minutes then drink. You can also rub the mixture of 1 Tablespoon olive or coconut oil mixed with 2 drops of rosemary oil directly to the outside of your stomach.
10. Prevents High Blood Sugar. People with diabetes can control their blood sugar levels by using this herb. Extracts from the herb can also lower cholesterol and glucose levels. Be sure to keep checking your blood sugar levels when taking rosemary and let your doctor know once you begin.

Tips

• Jill Edwards, N.D., an Oregon Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine who specializes in prenatal care does not advise women on taking certain herbs during the first trimester. “Essential oils could cause uterine contractions or adversely affect your baby in their early developmental stages . . . In the second and third trimesters, some essential oils are safe to use, as your baby is more developed. These include lavender, chamomile, and ylang-ylang, which calm, relax and aid sleep. Oils to be avoided include cinnamon, clove, rosemary and clary sage, all of which can cause contractions.

• Do a little skin test to make sure you are not allergic to rosemary oil before using.
• Store in a dark, cool, dry place.
• Never eat or drink rosemary oil, as it can be toxic when ingested orally.
• Do not use if you have hypertension or a bleeding disorder.
  

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  Rosemary Tea