Rosemary

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Rosemary represents evergreen semi-shrub with woody stem and fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves. Rosemary reaches a height of 20 to 80 cm. Its twigs are covered with narrow, linear, curled at the edges, whitish leaves below. At the base of the narrow leaves of rosemary are collected in bunches of flowers that are bluish or purple in color. Rosemary blooms from June to August, and its fruits resemble nuts.

The popularity of rosemary dates back to the ancient Greeks, who valued it as a sacred plant. In Europe, rosemary was brought by monks and then widely used in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, England, Scandinavia and Germany.

In Bulgaria the popularity of rosemary is not so great. Rosemary as a natural wild crop is found throughout the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and especially in Cyprus. As early as biblical times, rosemary is mentioned growing diamonds in the hills of Lebanon. Other names by which rosemary is also known are Lebanese, grandmother's hair, indirlia and sea dew.

Growing rosemary

The name rosemary comes from the Latin name rosmarinus, which probably means sea dew. Today, rosemary can be grown in gardens and balconies. Growing in pots requires rosemary to be trimmed so that it does not become loose and less beautiful. In the garden it can grow quite large and still not lose its appeal.

Rosemary can be propagated from existing plants by cutting off a tip 10-15 cm long, removing a few leaves from its lower end and directly pinning. The largest producers and suppliers of rosemary at present are France, Italy, Spain and Greece. Rosemary is a spice on which the leaves are used. The chemical composition of rosemary leaves contain up to 2% essential oils, tannins, resins and more. According to research, rosemary can be used as a preservative and as an additive for some types of beverages.

Rosemary grows best in a sunny and warm place, and tolerates drier air. It is important to keep the rosemary plant from drafts. It must gradually get used to the change in temperature and light. It is recommended to apply rosemary in the autumn for 1-2 weeks in partial shade before it is finally imported indoors. In spring and summer, rosemary can stand on the balcony. For winter, the optimal temperature indoors is 10-12 degrees, and in summer the minimum should be 20 if the plant is outdoors.

Application of rosemary

It is important to know that rosemary has a strong sweet aroma of camphor, reminiscent of the smell of pine. As a spice, rosemary is preferred because of its very spicy and slightly sharp taste. Rosemary is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, where it is used for the preparation of medicines, medicinal teas, infusions, ointments, patches. Rosemary is extremely widely used in the production of essential oils, which are also used in the cosmetics industry.

The spice rosemary is obtained from the crushed leaves of the plant. In small quantities, mainly due to the particularly strong aroma and taste, rosemary is suitable as a side dish to soups, salads, meat fillings, roasted meat, roasted poultry, mushrooms, boiled fish, red and white cabbage and marinades. In moderation, rosemary gives a special flavor to meat, chicken, spinach and pea soups.

Rosemary gives a very pleasant taste to soft cheeses, potatoes, game birds, fish, egg dough, while being an excellent spice for lamb, beef goulash, mutton and tomato soup, as well as beef, mutton and beef. Rosemary is also suitable to put on grilled meats.

In cooking, rosemary is used mainly because of its ability to suppress the specific smell of certain types of meat, such as mutton and pork. Experts have long known that rosemary gives meat a game flavor. In general, rosemary is used in the same way as bay leaf. It is important to know, however, that rosemary can give the dish a bitter taste if left in place for too long.

Benefits of rosemary

They are numerous the benefits of rosemary on the human body. Rosemary is an effective remedy against flatulence. It improves digestion and has a strong irritating effect on the skin. Rosemary essential oil is used for rubbing, strengthens nerves and dilates blood vessels.

Rosemary also has a healing effect on low blood pressure, nervous disorder, a feeling of tension. Rosemary is an extremely useful remedy for conditions of general exhaustion and sexual weakness. Helps increase the secretion of gastric juice, in particular has a beneficial effect on the overall activity of the stomach and intestines.

It is believed that the aroma of rosemary can have a beneficial effect on long-term memory and even support the brain's activities that are related to arithmetic.

Rosemary tea is extremely beneficial for the circulatory system as it increases blood flow to the body. Some antioxidants in rosemary protect against dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Rosemary can help improve liver function. The beneficial properties of rosemary in relation to the unpleasant migraine have long been known.

Folk medicine with rosemary

In Bulgarian folk medicine, rosemary is used for menstrual disorders and to improve appetite. It is also used for cardiac neurosis, cough and asthma, and in the form of patches - for rheumatism. Take it in the form of an extract - pour 1 tsp. dried rosemary with 200 ml of boiling water and simmer for about 4 hours. Strain and drink in the morning and evening on an empty stomach.

It is also used as a disinfectant for skin wounds in the form of water baths. Half an hour before bathing, put a gauze bag in the bath, which contains 50 g of gauze with rosemary powder.

Rosemary essential oil

It turns out that rosemary oil is an excellent tool in the fight against aging. There are a number of medical and therapeutic applications of the oil. It should be borne in mind that it is strong and very concentrated, so it should not be used in its pure form to avoid unwanted side effects.

Rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. It is often used for massages for tired muscles or injuries in athletes.

It successfully reduces inflammation caused by arthritis and hemorrhoids. It is also used to treat superficial wounds, abrasions and scratches. It kills harmful microorganisms that would infect wounds and thus helps them heal faster.

Rosemary essential oil can also be added to toothpaste. It will kill the bacteria that worsen your breath and refresh the oral cavity.

Rosemary oil it can be used to treat various respiratory problems by gently inhaling its aroma to relieve symptoms.

Harm from rosemary

Although there are a number of health benefits, it turns out that rosemary can be dangerous. In the following lines we will look at some of the most common side effects of the aromatic herb, as well as when to be careful with its intake.

First of all, we must not forget that rosemary has very strong diuretic effect, which in some cases can lead to upset stomach and subsequent dehydration.

People who have problems with the urinary system should also be careful with rosemary, because the herb causes kidney problems.

It should not be consumed by pregnant women, as it causes contractions, and they in turn can provoke premature birth.

As already mentioned in the above lines, rosemary raises blood pressure, which makes it suitable for people with low blood pressure and extremely unsuitable for people with high blood pressure or hypertension. Not recommended for patients with epilepsy.

Rosemary tea has an invigorating effect and is a good alternative to morning coffee, but it should not be taken in the evening precisely because of this invigorating effect.