Have you met Rosemary?

Rosemary leaf & flower

Salvia rosmarinus

(Formally Rosmarinus officinalis)

Have you met Rosemary? 

Rosemary is an easy to grow Mint family friend that has a bright, uplifting spicy scent. She has long leathery needle-like leaves and sweet little kissable lip shaped purple flowers. Planting Rosemary in your yard provides a welcoming yet protective vibe. 

Adding her to part of your daily life …

Rosemary is a food-like ally that is both humble and bold. At its food dosing she is safe and effective for all walks of life. Increasing the dosage into the more medicinal category still provides a safe remedy for most but some cautions apply. If you are pregnant it is wise to avoid the more medicinal dosage as well as if you are prone to vasodilating type migraines. These are the types of migraines that feel like your head is about to explode versus a feeling of a tight band squeezing in. 

Dosage: 

As a culinary herb you can use her daily as you wish. She is suitable for both savory and sweet dishes. 

As a medicinal herb: 

Infusion: 1 tsp of fresh or dried herb per cup of boiled water. Steep covered for 20+min. Strain and enjoy 1-3 cups per day. Slow down and inhale the volatile oils deeply, this is good medicine! 

Tincture: 20 drops 3-4x day

Topical: as a wash or infused oil apply as often as needed

Did you know that Rosemary ….

Is known as the ‘herb of remembrance’ and is incredibly impactful for cognitive functions helping to increase your ability to focus while improving your memory. Her circulatory abilities encourage a sense of clarity making her helpful for foggy thinking especially when stagnation is present. Rosemary makes a fine morning cup of ‘lift me up and help focus’ tea, useful for scholars of all kinds. 

It is said that by placing a sprig of Rosemary within a birthing room encourages the baby to remember who they are. She has been used in rituals and ceremonies for thousands of years. Add her to your practice for protection, recall/memory, expanded consciousness, love, clarity and longevity. 

Is a digestive aid that is anti-inflammatory, bitter and detoxifying. This makes her useful for nausea, gas, intestinal cramping, bile stimulation and in opening 2 phases of detox within the liver. Good digestion and liver health is fundamental for our wellbeing. 

As a mood lifter, she can positively affect the feelings of depression, anxiety, and lethargy. Especially when it feels stagnant and restrictive. As if you can't move forward or you are tunneled into specific times of life like menopause, grief and transitions. 

Is an anti-inflammatory and circulatory tonic, increasing circulation to the brain and throughout the cardiovascular & muscular systems. Helping with pain that is more restrictive in nature like stiff joints, constrictive & tension headaches, angina, cramping, tight back pain and sprains or alike acute injuries. She encourages movement and circulation within the mind, body and spirit. 

Is a powerful antioxidant and is valuable for protecting the brain, vascular system and skin. Improving the integrity of the skin, veins and arteries while encouraging the mediation of inflammation within the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and muscular systems. Within this category, Rosemary also is being researched as an ally with cancer care. 

And last but not least… Rosemary is fantastic for topical uses on the skin and hair. Protecting and strengthening the skin makes her helpful with crepey skin, rashes, ‘weird’ spots and sun damage. Stimulating and increasing circulations makes her helpful for hair growth. 

So as you can see, Rosemary can be used for so many ailments! Is easy to grow and tastes lovely. What's your experiences with Rosemary? 

**Now because Rosemary is a common ornamental plant please use caution when harvesting! You want to avoid areas that are heavily sprayed with herbicides and pesticides.