Rosemary - Spice or Herb?

#The aromatic herb - rosemary

In the remote village of Acciaroli in south-western Italy, around one in every 10 people is over 100 years old. Have the people there discovered the "fountain of youth" ? Hardly. It is probably not something in the water that helps the residents live long, but something else.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego and Sapienza University of Rome studied this remarkably healthy population of Acciaroli, and what they found is that the thing these people do is cook with a lot of rosemary. 

The local variety of the herb has a particularly pungent smell and, by most accounts, smells 10 times stronger than the one most people are familiar with.

Can this aromatic herb do more than add flavour and aroma to various culinary creations? It can.

#Description of the evergreen shrub

Officially, rosemary - "Rosmarinus officinalis" is a perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean, which is now widespread across much of the world, especially in warm, sunny climates. 

#Botanical characteristics of rosemary

The plant has long, sharp needles that are green on top and silvery underneath, as well as small blue flowers.

In fact, it is an aromatic evergreen shrub with leavessimilar to hemlock needles. It is native to the Mediterranean and Asia, but it is fairly hardy in cool climates. It can withstand drought, surviving a severe lack of water for long periods. In some parts of the world it is considered a potentially invasive species.

The seeds are often difficult to establish in the soil, with a low germination rate and relatively slow growth, but the plant can live for up to 30 years.

Rosemary flowers in spring and summer in temperate climates, but it can also flower continuously in warm climates. The flowers are white, pink, purple or deep blue.

Besides being available as a fresh herb, rosemary is also sold as a dried herb, as a herbal extract, in capsules and as an oil.

#History of the herb's spread

The first mention of the herb is found on cuneiform stone tablets as early as 5000 BC. Little is known after that, except that the Egyptians used it in their burial rituals.

Later the plant made its way east to China, where it had become naturalised as early as 220 AD, during the late Han dynasty. Rosemary appeared in England at an unknown date; it is thought that the Romans brought it when they invaded in the first century.

The herb reached America with the early European settlers at the beginning of the 17th century. It soon spread to South America and worldwide.

Today the plant is found all over the world.

#Cultivation of the plant

Because it is attractive and drought-tolerant, rosemary is used as an ornamental herb in gardens, especially in areas with a Mediterranean climate. It is considered an easy plant to grow and resistant to pests. 

Rosemary can grow to a considerable height and stay attractive for many years. It can also be pruned into all kinds of shapes or grown as low hedges.

It is easy to grow in pots. Ground-cover varieties spread widely, with a dense and durable texture.

It grows in loamy, well-drained soil in an open, sunny spot, best in neutral to alkaline conditions (pH 7–7.8) with average fertility. It will not tolerate waterlogging, and some varieties are susceptible to frost. 

#Culinary use

#Rosemary as a seasoning for dishes

Rosemary leaves are used as a seasoning in foods such as roast lamb, pork, chicken and turkey. Fresh or dried leaves are used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine. They have a bitter, astringent taste and a distinctive aroma that complements many cooked foods.

When roasted with meat or vegetables, the leaves impart a mustard-like aroma, with an additional note of charred wood that goes well with barbecued foods.

In the amounts typically used to flavour food, such as one teaspoon (1 gram), rosemary provides no nutritional value. It has been shown that rosemary extract improves the shelf life and heat stability of omega-3-rich oils, which are prone to going rancid.

#Rosemary as a tea

A wonderful fragrant herbal tea can be made from the leaves.

According to research conducted at the University of Maryland, rosemary tea soothes the digestive tract. It relieves the gallbladder. You can easily make rosemary tea from dried rosemary leaves. Put one teaspoon of dried rosemary leaves in one cup of boiled water. Boil for 5-10 minutes.

#Phytochemicals contained in rosemary

Rosemary contains a number of phytochemicals, including rosmarinic acid, camphor, caffeic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, carnosic acid and carnosol. Rosemary essential oil contains 10–20% camphor.

#Folklore and customs associated with the plant

The plant, or its oil or extract, has been used in folk medicine in the belief that it may have a number of medicinal effects. Rosemary was considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks.

The herb has been used as a symbol of remembrance during war commemorations and funerals in Europe and Australia. Mourners would throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance of the dead. In Australia, sprigs of rosemary are worn on Remembrance Day, as the herb grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula, where many Australians died during the First World War.

#HERE IS WHAT ROSEMARY HELPS WITH:

#Memory and concentration

Rosemary has long been associated in folk medicine with a better memory. It is said that in ancient Greece students placed sprigs of rosemary in their hair while studying for tests. It is used in aromatherapy to support concentration and age-related cognitive decline.

According to researchers, the aroma of the plant is associated with improved long-term memory. Data from a recent study show that taking just 750 mg of powdered rosemary leaves in tomato juice may increase memory speed in healthy older adults.

*However, taking higher doses may impair memory, so always aim for balance.

#Stress

Rosemary is also used in aromatherapy to relieve stress. One study suggests that combining rosemary with other oils or extracts may lower cortisol levels and thereby reduce anxiety.

A similar study found that using pure herbal extracts or essential oil sachets made from rosemary and lavender helps relieve stress (in nurses during exams.)

Taken as a herbal tincture, rosemary has an exceptionally strong action. It helps the activity of the central nervous system.

#Poor digestion and other stomach problems

It is well known that rosemary leaves are used for poor digestion. This is a proven and approved fact. This has been proven and approved by the German commission that studies the safety and efficacy of herbs.

#Muscle pain

Some early studies show that taking a combination of rosemary, hops and oleanolic acid may help relieve arthritis-related pain.

Rosemary extract has been approved as a method of treating muscle and arthritis-related pain and of improving blood circulation.

#Hair loss

For centuries rosemary has been associated with hair growth in many cultures. In a 2015 study, researchers learned that rosemary extract or oil may be as effective as minoxidil for increasing hair growth in individuals with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern baldness).

Earlier research has shown that applying a combination of rosemary, lavender, thyme and cedarwood oils to the scalp may help improve hair growth.

#Cancer

A number of studies show that rosemary extract may prevent the replication of cancer cells, thereby stopping the growth of tumours. One study found that rosemary (alone and with curcumin) helps prevent breast cancer, and another study found similar effects of rosemary on cell replication in colon cancer.

#Rosemary aroma  for a healthy mind

The wonderful aroma of rosemary is an indisputable fact. And if you are bored or feel apathetic, perhaps a whiff of the pungent-smelling herb can help you. A 2013 study looked at the effect of inhaling rosemary aroma on the nervous system and found that participants who inhaled the plant had more energy and felt refreshed.

#Herbal tincture of rosemary

The herb rosemary is included in the composition of our herbal tinctures - "ROZMARIN" and "PERFEKTNA FIGURA" (Perfect Figure).

#Herbal tincture of rosemary - "ROZMARIN"

Rosemary is known for its medicinal uses in:

• disorders of the activity of the central nervous system;
• problems with concentration and memory;
• disorders related to the retina;
• it helps digestion;
• it has a pain-relieving action.

Herbal tincture ROZMARIN 50 ml is taken orally, 20 drops (about 1 ml) dissolved in a glass of water - 3 times a day.

#Herbal tincture with rosemary - "PERFEKTNA FIGURA"

It contains ginger root, fennel seed, dandelion leaf, green walnut husks and rosemary leaves.

The herbs are taken in the form of a tincture that:

• supports the detoxification of the body;
• regulates a sluggish metabolism;
• maintains good peristalsis;
• supports keeping weight within normal limits in the long term, without a yo-yo effect;
• helps break down fats;
• acts as an antioxidant;
• vitalises the body;
• helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

The diuretic properties of rosemary are useful for reducing water retention in the body.

#Potential side effects

Rosemary is considered a safe plant when taken in moderation and in prescribed doses, discussed with a doctor, health consultant, phytotherapist or pharmacist. 

Of course, like any other herb, it is not recommended for regular use by pregnant and breastfeeding women, or by children and people with chronic illnesses.

Remember that however healthy a herb may be, in the form of a medicine it must be taken very carefully. The reason is that interactions with synthetic medicines being taken, or with risky health conditions of the patient, are always possible.

*Every intake and every dose should be discussed with a specialist!

#Herb or spice?

The ancient herb rosemary from the Mediterranean, whether fresh or dried, is one of the most popular for use in the kitchen and can be added to soups, sandwiches, cheese and sauces. But with the wide range of nutritional benefits rosemary provides, what this herb does for human health is truly remarkable.

The list of vitamins and minerals in rosemary is long, each with its corresponding uses in the body. Its unique compounds and oils include rosmarinic acid and essential oils, which provide anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Research provides ample evidence that the aromatic herb rosemary not only improves memory but also helps in the fight against cancer. Whether as a spice or as a herbal extract, adding rosemary to your daily routine is sure to have a positive effect.

#ROSEMARY - SPICE OR HERB? ➤ VIDEO