I spent this morning outside doing some due diligence among our plants, trimming, inspecting and weeding. I’d been wondering what to write about for my next entry and as I ran my hands up the branches of the rosemary, marveling at the heady fragrance, I thought why not rosemary?
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial shrub, native to the Mediterranean region. Its Latin name translates to “dew of the sea.” Rosemary’s reputation for improving memory goes far back and inspired Shakespeare to pen Ophelia’s line in Hamlet: “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” Recent medical studies showed that the anti-oxidant compounds contained in rosemary may be effective against free radicals in the brain and lower risk against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
While its culinary uses are most familiar to us, the therapeutic qualities of the essential oil are also worth taking note of.
Rosemary has a wonderful high, fresh, herbal, woody fragrance. The scent has a stimulating effect on the mind and body. It is great to use in a morning bath, or in a massage oil for combating muscle fatigue, arthritis, painful PMS symptoms, cramping and gout. Because of its astringent qualities, it’s also used in many hair preparations to strengthen and add shine and fight dandruff. Rosemary is also effective when you have a cold and are clogged with mucus.
Women who are pregnant and nursing should avoid rosemary as well as those prone to epileptic seizure.
Sat, Aug 22, 2009
Essential Oils