Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis

I love the scent and flavor of rosemary. I use it mainly to flavor potatoes and lamb and as a medicinal herb. It grows easily in a garden. It is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family. Identification: Rosemary, is a woody herb with fragrant needle-like leaves and a fibrous root system. It is an evergreen shrub that can withstand extreme droughts. Most bushes are upright reaching 5 feet (1.5m) tall, but some can develop into trailing plants. The leaves look like hemlock needles. They are green on the top and white on the underside, with both sides covered with short, dense, wooly hair. White, pink, purple, or blue flowers appear in the spring and in the summer in cooler climates and year-round in warmer climates.

Edible Use: Rosemary is often used in cooking. The leaves and the flower petals are edible and nutritious. Medicinal Use: Rosemary contains caffeic acid, carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosemarinic acid, anti-inflammatories, and anti-oxidants. Stimulates Digestion: The stimulant properties of rosemary bring circulation to the digestive organs and help relieve digestive problems, especially indigestion. You may use rosemary in your food and/or use a tincture or infused oil before a large meal.

Improves Concentration and Memory,

Neuroprotective: Rosemary is known as a brain tonic. It seems to improve concentration and memory. It stimulates the circulatory system, bringing more oxygen to the brain. It is used for elderly dementia patients. It also has a neuroprotective effect due to the carnosic acid found in rosemary. Circulatory Problems and Headaches: Rosemary is a mild stimulant, well-known for increasing circulation. Use it for problems with the cardiovascular system, poor circulation, and low blood pressure. These same stimulant properties make it a good choice for alleviating headaches, especially migraines. Rosemary has a mild analgesic effect, but the main relief comes from opening up the blood flow to the brain. Inflammation, Colitis, Arthritis: The analgesic properties and anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the pain and swelling of joints inflamed from arthritis. People report that it helps their pain and swelling but does not completely alleviate it, so it usually used in combination with other herbs. It also reduces gut inflammation. Antifungal: Rosemary is a good antifungal and I often add rosemary essential oil to an external antifungal salve.

Antibacterial: Pseudomonas and Staph:

Rosemary essential oil inhibits the bacterium Pseudomonas. It also works to kill Staphylococcus, as does oregano oil.

Rosemary in bloom, Margalob, CC by SA 4.0