Rosemary: health benefits and harms

Rosemary, an evergreen shrub from the Labretaceous family, has several names. Connoisseurs call it frankincense grass, dyke, wedding color or sea dew. For the first time it became known to the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, and then spread to the territories of North Africa, as well as Transcaucasia, Crimea and Central Asia. As you know, a well-developed root system, up to 3 meters long, contributes to its growth on the slopes of the mountains, where there is a dry climate and rare rainfall. The groundwater that rosemary feeds makes it possible to be green year-round. The length of the stems is from half a meter to one and a half meters.

What is rosemary and what does it look like

This is a plant with grayish-brown bark, with 4-sided branches on which elongated voluminous leaves are located. Outwardly and to the touch, the sides of the leaves are different: one side is glossy, the other is matte and somewhat rough.

Shrub flowers are 5-10 buds on the tops of twigs with small flowers of pale purple or white and blue. At the end of flowering, about 4 gray-brown nuts appear at the bottom of the flower bowl.

Rosemary has a bitter taste and astringent aroma, reminiscent of basil, but closer to the smell of pine needles.

What is the difference between thyme and rosemary

Thyme is a small perennial shrub from the Yasnotkov family. It was first discovered in North Africa. In the descriptions of the ancient Greek philosophers he is called incense, which means "incense substance." In Russia, it was called thyme or thyme, as well as Bogorodskaya grass, lemon darling, muhopal, incense, chebark, and spawn. This genus is distinguished by many species common in Greenland and Eurasia.

Unlike rosemary, this is a shorter plant 15–35 centimeters high, blooming not in spring, but in summer, in June – August. There are differences in the leaves, round, occasionally elongated and small with a pubescent lower part. The size of the leaves does not exceed one centimeter. Thyme flowers, unlike rosemary, are bright: pink, purple or lilac, with a strong aroma.

Composition and calorie content

Rosemary in Central Europe and the Mediterranean is cultivated as a crop. The plant is more commonly known as seasoning in cooking, where shoots, flowers and leaves are used.

Composition:

1. B9, A, C, E, PP - vitamins that make rosemary useful for the body.
2. Minerals, namely sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, as well as magnesium, fiber and various essential oils - the chemical composition of rosemary is surprising.
3. Myristic, caprylic, as well as oleic, rosemary, palmitic, useful ursolic, lauric and linoleic - this is the variety of organic unsaturated acids in this plant.
4. Thanks to isoleucine, phytosterols, phytoncides, threonine, carnosol, valine, lysine, rosmanol, tannins, flavonoids, in particular apigenin and luteolin, rosemary can be called a "live pharmacy."

Rosemary contains: 5.5 grams of protein, 7.7 - lipids and 23 - carbohydrates. With such a rich composition, 100 grams of spice account for 161 kcal.

The beneficial properties of rosemary

A truly medicinal plant, today rosemary is popular on all continents as a healthy and fragrant seasoning.Since ancient times, the leaves of this evergreen plant treat illnesses, on their basis make healing teas, alcohol infusions, inhalation broths. The usefulness of rosemary has been proven by many experts.

For women

1. Regular use of spices has a beneficial effect not only on the genitourinary system, but also on the important reproductive function of the female body.
2. Women's susceptibility to headaches, migraines, neurological symptoms, such as frequent mood swings during the day, stress and depression, can be eliminated by regular use of an easy-to-prepare rosemary decoction (read the recipe below in our article).
3. The plant provides effective assistance to women with problems associated with premenstrual syndrome. Thanks to the intake of herbal tea with rosemary, mint and St. John's wort hormonal drops, headaches are reduced.
4. There is evidence that seasoning can normalize the menstrual cycle and restore it in the absence of menstruation for a long time.
5. In the fight against candidiasis, which often affects women, douching with broth provides effective assistance.

For men

If there are problems with the activity of the genitourinary system and reproductive function in men, then with regular use of spices everything comes back to normal.

Since ancient times, rosemary has been used in the treatment of prostatitis, cystitis, orchitis and other problems with men's health. He also helped improve potency, was actively used by men to prevent impotence, the so-called andropause, that is, he coped with the signs of natural aging of men. A decoction of rosemary, immortelle, as well as dried sage, birch buds, which is consumed 20 minutes before a meal, or antibacterial warm hygienic baths from such a decoction have a very beneficial effect on the male body.

Rosemary also boosts male libido, as it is an aphrodisiac.

During pregnancy

Natural seasoning has a beneficial effect on the body of a pregnant woman.

1. The dopamine contained in rosemary helps reduce stress and increase the mood of the expectant mother.
2. Massage using rosemary oil relieves pain in the back, lower back, reduces swelling on the legs, reduces signs of nausea.
3. For the disinfection of air and the destruction of sticks of staphylococcus, yeast and other microbes, along with aromatic natural rosemary oil, the systematic use of aroma lamps is also useful.
4. Attacks of bad mood, fatigue of a pregnant woman will disappear if 5 ml of rosemary oil is added to the water when taking a bath. Such baths are useful for maintaining normal skin and hair.

It must be remembered that rosemary can be toxic if ingested excessively.

When breastfeeding

Rosemary is a natural remedy that has a beneficial effect on lactation during breastfeeding. It is also indispensable in cases where insufficient milk is produced.

A woman during breastfeeding can use rosemary to prevent migraines, dizziness, insomnia, and colds. This will beneficially affect her body.

For kids

1. Rosemary is useful for children over 4 years old. It will benefit primary school students who have difficulty concentrating.
2. The microclimate in the apartment where there is a child will become better if you use rosemary oil in the aroma lamp as an antiseptic that destroys pathogens.
3. Many traditional healers use rosemary in the treatment of skin diseases in a child, to heal wounds and reduce pain. Compresses, ointments, prepared on the basis of this plant, help with neuralgia, various boils, and severely festering wounds.
4. Drops of natural rosemary essential oil applied to a child’s whiskey with acute respiratory viral infections / flu with headaches will quickly help to improve its condition.Sore throat is removed by rinsing it with rosemary.
5. Using a plant as an inhalation in asthma helps relieve swelling and soothes inflammation in the throat. It is important not to forget that you should seek the advice of specialists.
6. Rosemary stimulates blood circulation, is able to slightly increase blood pressure, and the natural essential oil used for rubbing will help in getting rid of the child’s cold hands / feet.

When losing weight

1. Rosemary helps speed up metabolism, so it is used as a means to reduce weight. Green leaves or a pinch of dried herbs used as a spice can contribute to weight loss.
2. A greater effect can be achieved by using, instead of large doses of rosemary, its aqueous infusion a few minutes before eating. Thanks to this method, the daily dose of substances necessary for the body enters the body.
3. Useful for weight loss rosemary essential oil. Applied to the skin, it enhances blood circulation, acting as a light drainage, helps the breakdown of fats. Due to this property of oil, body volumes are reduced, cellulite disappears. The oil content of carnosolic acid slows down skin aging.
4. Wraps or baths with the addition of essential natural oil help to eliminate sagging skin. These procedures are effective in the fight against cellulite. A massage for weight loss will be more effective if one part of rosemary oil is added to the base oil.
5. Essential oil used in aromatherapy helps to activate the centers of the brain responsible for satiety, which helps to reduce hunger.

What is useful tea with rosemary

The taste and aroma of natural rosemary tea cannot be compared with what was bought in a store. It not only tastes good, but is also very useful as a prophylactic in certain diseases. Such a drink is able to strengthen the immune system.

Studies have shown that the acids and antioxidants present in the plant prevent the destruction of neurotransmitters. The state of mind, memory, and human consciousness largely depends on them. Tea with rosemary helps to restore memory, prevents the development of dangerous, especially for the elderly, Alzheimer's disease. The drink is useful for developing attention span.

Other useful properties are noted:

1. This is a special tea that helps improve blood circulation, relieves headaches, fights infections and fungi.
2. The beneficial substances and microelements present in its composition make up for the lack of elements in the body.
3. With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, tea with rosemary plays the role of a preventive drink.
4. For those who want to get rid of extra pounds, aromatic tea will provide an invaluable service, because thanks to it, metabolic processes in the body are accelerated. The drink also helps in restoring strength after an illness.
5. Rosemary tea is useful in the treatment of skin diseases, including eczema.
6. The antiseptic property of tea is used to cleanse the body of pathogenic microflora, which is staphylococcal, streptococcal, fungal microorganisms. These microbes multiply in the body, eating the remains of undigested rotting fried or boiled food.
7. The beneficial effects of rosemary tea on the liver, lungs, and respiratory system have been proven by scientists studying the effects of herbal remedies on the human body.
8. People with back pain, muscle pain, rheumatism, osteoarthritis can more easily tolerate the course of the disease if there is rosemary tea in their diet.
9. No less remarkable is the fact that in the fight against oncology, this drink also has a positive effect.
10. Already from ancient times, the beneficial effect of this drink on the skin and hair is known.

Thus, rosemary tea is a drink that not only brings pleasure to its aroma, but is also very useful.

Rosemary essential oil: properties and applications

High-quality essential oil extracted from plant leaves by steam distillation has no less advantages than rosemary itself. The oil is a practically colorless or slightly yellowish liquid of a dense oily consistency, which has a pleasant rich odor. There are no differences in the healing properties of rosemary and the product made from it in the form of essential oil.

The usefulness of the properties of the essential oil of this plant lies in its analgesic, antispasmodic, regenerative and even wound healing effects on the body:

1. This rosemary derivative has properties that help treat migraines, headaches of various origins, in the spine and with progressive rheumatism.
2. Dissolution of stones in the gall bladder, improvement of choleretic functions, normalization of the liver - these features are rosemary essential oil.
3. This oil can reduce the indicator of "bad" cholesterol, improve digestion, relieve constipation and bloating.
4. Improving cardiovascular activity, strengthening blood vessels, stabilizing blood pressure, helping to treat varicose veins - all this is also possible with the use of this therapeutic product.
5. If you need to relieve eye strain, restore visual acuity, improve brain activity and memory, relieve mental and mental stress, facilitate the process of perception, normalize brain functions by concentration and remembering information, then this product is worth using.
6. Rosemary oil can stimulate and strengthen the human immune system, contribute to the treatment of colds and flu.
7. The beneficial effect of this product on the skin and the functioning of the sebaceous glands was noted in inflammatory diseases. With its help, dandruff is eliminated, baldness and hair loss are slowed down, nail and skin fungus is treated.

Application:

1. Both rosemary itself and the essential oil made from it are good for the female and male body. First, it helps to normalize the menstrual cycle and alleviate the pain accompanying it, and second, it is useful in the prevention and treatment of problems with impotence and frigidity.
2. Possessing a wound healing and pronounced regenerating effect makes it possible to use oil to accelerate the healing effect on scars, scars remaining on the skin, deep cracks on the elbows / feet.
3. Due to its psychoemotional properties, rosemary oil is indispensable in the treatment of neurosis, the so-called chronic fatigue syndrome.
4. People who are concerned about the condition of their hair, namely their loss, loss of silkiness or fat content, it is recommended to use masks using rosemary oil. Alopecia, or increased hair loss, the sudden appearance of dandruff, however, even a simple care for the condition of the curls can also be an important reason for using this product for care. To do this, it is enough to add 2-3 drops to the shampoo or to the scallop, preferably wooden, when combing. Two-time carrying out of such procedures during the week will lead to a positive result.
5. Rosemary essential oil successfully solves problems with oily skin, its inflammation, and the appearance of acne. Dermatitis, eczema, furunculosis, skin roughness, any pigment spots in their severity can not resist the pressure of this oil.
6. This product is subject to gastrointestinal diseases, colitis, bloating, cholelithiasis, elevated blood cholesterol, pathology of the heart and blood vessels. Taking 2-3 drops of ether dissolved in a teaspoon of vegetable oil inside twice a day will improve the condition of the body.It is worth remembering that the recommendations of the doctor are mandatory.
7. The tart, light woody notes in the scent of rosemary essential oil made it one of the most popular in aromatherapy. The positive effect of its aroma is used by specialists to improve the general mental state, mood of a person, clarify thoughts, increase concentration, strengthen memory, in particular, with amnesia.
8. Headache, severe migraine, any nervous tension, state of apathy, any neurotic periods in life - these problems can be solved if aromatherapy sessions are carried out at home using natural oil of this plant. Such sessions will help if there is pain in the spine and joints, reduced sexual activity. 3-5 drops in the aroma lamp in the room, 2 drops in the aromatic medallions, 8 drops in warm water while taking a bath will have a positive effect.

The use of rosemary in traditional medicine

The healing properties of rosemary have made it an important component in traditional medicine. Its leaves, stems, roots are used fresh or made from them tinctures, decoctions, teas.

Decoction

Traditional medicine advises the use of a rosemary decoction for respiratory diseases. To facilitate breathing, it is enough to take a filtered broth during the day at least 3-4 times. For its preparation use 2 teaspoons of raw materials, sprinkled in a glass of boiling water. The drug will be ready after 20 minutes of simmering.

Water infusion

Rosemary in water infusion is used for pain in the joints, in the fight against excess weight as a tonic. An incomplete tablespoon of chopped rosemary leaves, filled in a thermos, is poured with boiling water and infused for about one hour. The filtered drug is used as intended before meals, one teaspoon each.

Alcohol tincture

Dried or fresh stems and rosemary leaves usually insist on alcohol. This method of use is considered the most productive in folk medicine: the components that make up the plant are extracted as much as possible, and their effect is deeper than other folk remedies using rosemary. The concentration of the components available in the alcohol tincture determines the method of their use: inside or out. To prepare the tincture, it is necessary to use dishes made of glass, ceramic or coated with enamel.

1. Flatulence, nervous disorders, loss of appetite, low blood pressure will cure a remedy prepared from 10 grams of dry and crushed leaves of a plant, filled with 100 grams of vodka, and infused for 10 days. The filtered liquid is recommended to take 30 drops, dissolved in 20 ml of water, three times a day half an hour before meals.
2. For joint pain, a tincture of 50 grams of fresh rosemary leaves and 250 ml of alcohol with a strength of 70% will help. After 10 days of storage in a dark place with this tool, you can rub the joints, use it for compresses and instead of lotion to treat problem skin. It is also possible to take tincture inside with the same dosage as with flatulence.
3. For prophylaxis purposes, an alcohol tincture of two tablespoons of rosemary, dry or fresh, poured in a glass of vodka and put for 10 days in a dark place is useful. During these days, you must periodically shake the product. The filtered liquid is stored in the refrigerator and taken 25 drops three times a day.

Inhalation

Rosemary helps as an inhalant in the treatment of cough, asthma, sore throat, pharyngitis, voice loss, for removing sputum from the respiratory tract. A few sprigs of rosemary added to boiling water will help with the inhalation of vapors, first through the nose, then through the mouth for ten minutes and facilitate breathing.

Rosemary in folk medicine is considered one of the most effective means for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. In this case, the recommendations of specialists should be taken into account.

Rosemary in cosmetology

Beauticians prefer fresh rosemary, essential oil, extract, infusion and decoction of dried leaves.

Rosemary and various products with its use can be used not only to improve the condition of the skin of the face and hair, but also for the neck and chest, so that the skin in these places acquires velvety and elasticity.

For the beauty of nails, baths from the infusion of dry or fresh green rosemary with one teaspoon of salt are very useful. After 15-20 minutes, wipe the nails with a napkin.

For face

1. The skin will look fresh if you lubricate it every day with freshly squeezed juice from rosemary leaves. After half an hour, the juice is washed off with warm water. In the absence of a fresh product, you can use the infusion of dried herbs, brewed in the amount of one tablespoon with 50 ml of boiling water. The tonic replacement agent should be replaced with fresh one after two days.
2. A mask made from gruel of fresh rosemary greens mixed with cucumber, oatmeal or pulp of a fruit, such as a banana, is also useful. It is washed off with water in a quarter of an hour.

Thanks to rosemary, the skin of the face is saturated with vitamins, it is rejuvenated, and wrinkles are prevented; metabolic processes in the epidermis are activated. To avoid reddening of the skin, itching, tingling, it is necessary to do a test, since the esters and camphor contained in the rosemary greens can be harmful.

Face decoration is beautifully groomed eyebrows. They will become thick if daily fed with freshly squeezed juice from rosemary leaves or wiped with a decoction of dry product.

For hair

If you apply this spicy greens, hair loss will stop, dandruff, split ends, dullness will disappear.

1. Brewed from dried or fresh shoots of rosemary, infused for a couple of hours, cooled and strained broth will help with regular rinsing of the hair to make it thick and silky.
2. Useful for hair will be decoctions, oils, juices squeezed from the plant, which can be rubbed into the scalp. A limitation exists for rosemary extract - it can harm the hair roots.

Now it’s clear that rosemary is a useful remedy in cosmetology.

Rosemary in cooking

Culinary experts everywhere use rosemary spice, which has a lemon-sweet aroma and a sharp-bitter taste. Italian, Greek, French cuisine, being the birthplace of this spice, uses them in its many dishes. But the cooks of the Middle and Middle East treat her with special adoration.

The use of this spice is not limited in any form. It is good in the form of both cut fresh twigs and dry chopped leaves. Freshly picked twigs are more fragrant and richer in essential oils, which can not be said about the dried product. True, it is more accessible at any time of the year, which can not be said about a fresh plant.

In addition to the fact that the spice is used to prepare snacks, hot dishes, sweets, pickles and even drinks, nutritionists advise using a pinch of spices to speed up metabolism, as a result of which water-fat balance is restored and the body is cleansed of toxins.

In order for the dish to acquire a special aroma, you need to combine parsley, thyme, garlic, lemon, black pepper, chili pepper and marjoram with rosemary. But “not friendly” with each other rosemary and bay leaf.

Where to add seasoning

Not all people can appreciate the aroma of this spice from the first try, but those who have tried it more than once do not change their addiction. Given the other name of rosemary - “sea freshness”, we can no doubt say that the spice in the form of seasoning is suitable for fish and meat dishes. Sprigs of rosemary added to the marinade muffle the specific smells of meat, such as those found in poultry or wild game. Fish will become tastier if you add sprigs of plants to it during baking.

Long-term heat treatment of rosemary does not deprive it of its rich aroma. Soup, sauce, boiled and stewed meat will absorb its aromas, regardless of the timing of cooking.Rosemary perfectly shows the taste of cheese, so a sprig of rosemary put in pizza or cheese soup will add special charm to dishes. Beans, peas, mushrooms and root vegetables go well with this fragrant green. For some pasta dishes, seasoning from rosemary greens will also be useful.

Sprigs of this Mediterranean shrub can be used to flavor vegetable oil. The infused oil, in which a small sprig of rosemary was dropped, is filled with salads. This is suitable for baked and stewed vegetables.

Important! Rosemary as a preservative is recommended for use in canning and pickling, because it can inhibit spoilage of foods.

Dosages of using rosemary depend on its condition. The saturated smell of fresh greenery of the bush involves the use of no more than one small twig. The dried spice smell is not very pronounced, but, as cooks advise, one teaspoon of spice for meat dishes and marinades will be enough.

Whatever the person’s attitude to this spice, the norms of its use in the preparation of various dishes should be observed. This spice, suitable for meat and vegetable dishes, mushrooms, sauces, soups, cheese snacks and pizza, should be added at the end of cooking, otherwise its bitterness will turn into food.

What can be replaced

Sometimes rosemary should be replaced with another spice because of its absence or because of an allergic reaction to it.

1. Thyme is the first substitute for rosemary due not only to its resemblance, but also to its more delicate pepper aroma. It will be a good substitute for soups, stews, cold dishes.
2. Tarragon instead of rosemary is used only in dried form in meat, fish dishes, as well as dishes from eggs and poultry. Tarragon also often aromatizes vinegar.
3. Savory is a spicy herb, more typical for Bulgarian cuisine. Pork and poultry dishes will not get any worse if savory is used instead of rosemary.
4. Sage is similar to rosemary in its equally intense aroma. There is not much difference in replacing rosemary with sage in the preparation of poultry, some seafood and meat dishes. Culinary experts advise mixing sage with butter or cheese to improve the taste of some dishes.
5. The aroma of marjoram is similar to the smell of oregano and thyme, so replacing it with rosemary in stews, sauces, soups and salads is quite appropriate. By the way, unlike rosemary, not the plant itself, but the seeds are used in cooking. A teaspoon of such seeds will revitalize food, add zest to salads, fish dishes.
6. The most common substitute for rosemary in cooking is bay leaf. Its aroma is more light, therefore, the range of its application in the preparation of various dishes is even somewhat wider than that of its "counterpart".
7. Oregano and basil can be substitutes for rosemary, the availability of which in dried and fresh form is not limited.

The lack of spices is completely compensated by other spices that have similar properties and aromas.

Harm and contraindications

Excessive use of any product, even the most useful, is fraught with complications.

1. Large doses of spices can cause an allergy to the product.
2. An overdose can cause vomiting, intestinal cramps, coma and even the appearance of fluid in the lungs.
3. Excessive use of spice can lead not only to a reduction in sperm count. Their density and mobility decreases, which can negatively affect fertility, that is, a person may lose the ability to reproduce viable offspring.
4. If a person uses rosemary aimlessly, the result of such a use of a spicy plant may be itching of the head, dermatitis or redness of the skin.
5. A plant and products made on its basis are contraindicated in large quantities for women during pregnancy and for those who are going to become pregnant.
6. The ability of rosemary to affect blood glucose makes it dangerous in large doses for diabetics and those with high sugar levels.

Rosemary requires careful attention and compliance with the norms of its use as a spice in food, as well as cosmetic and therapeutic agents.

How to choose and store rosemary

The place of purchase of rosemary depends on its type. So, fresh rosemary can be found in markets in grocery sections, and spice from a dried plant is found in almost every supermarket.

For independent procurement of the product, the tender ends of the twigs and leaves are selected. They are torn off gradually during growth. The most favorable period for their harvesting is the end of summer or the beginning of autumn.

You can also buy rosemary in capsules with essential oil.

Storage of fresh rosemary does not cause any problems, because its properties are stored for a long time even in the refrigerator.

It is recommended to fill the dried plant in sealed dishes and place in a cool and dark place. Proper storage guarantees the preservation of its properties for at least 4 years.

Frozen branches and leaves of the plant do not lose their quality and retain their characteristic aroma.

How to grow rosemary at home

For home growing rosemary, you can use seedlings from places where they are specially sold: shops and nurseries. You can sow seeds or choose the stalks of a growing shrub for planting.

If a decision has been made to seed cultivation, then the best time to plant them is the beginning of spring. For at least three weeks, containers with seeds covered with glass or film should be in the refrigerator or in a room with a temperature not exceeding 7 degrees. If the seeds have not germinated, they should be re-sown. Germinated seeds can be placed in a room with a temperature not exceeding 12 degrees, watering moderately, without overmoistening.

A cuttings method of growing this plant is more common. A young shoot cut up from an old rosemary bush up to 10 cm in size is freed from the lower leaves and kept in a tool that enhances root formation for several seconds. To form young roots, the stalk is placed in a dark-colored container with water. After the roots appear, a twig is planted in a flower pot and exposed to a sunny and warm place.

To obtain a good bush, it is necessary to observe the light and temperature conditions: for the summer - the southern window, for winter - a cool window sill with 15 degrees above zero. To preserve rosemary leaves in the cold season, it is important to use artificial lighting. Summer watering of the plant should be moderate, and winter - scarce and only with dried soil. Seasonal top dressing will be beneficial for the plant.

“Homemade” rosemary will become not only useful in every way a spicy plant, but also a decoration at home.

Interesting facts about rosemary

1. This plant is considered an old-timer of planet Earth.
2. He was endowed with magical properties. Already ancient people kept a sprig of rosemary in the house, believing that this contributes to a happy, prosperous and healthy life. He, in their opinion, gave eternal youth to those who used it for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
3. Evil spirits were cast out with rosemary leaves, houses were fumigated to attract good luck and protect the home from harm.
4. He was considered a talisman from bad dreams, misfortunes. The newlyweds received as a gift a branch of the plant as a symbol of a consensual and prosperous family life.
5. The ancient Greeks considered the plant a symbol of mind and memory. Students of those years decorated their heads with a wreath of rosemary in order to successfully pass the exam and strengthen their mental abilities.

Rosemary is a spicy shrub, an alien from the Mediterranean, which has gained worldwide popularity due to its many-sided useful properties.

Photo of rosemary