Common Name
Standardized: rosemary
Latin name: Rosemarinus officinalis
Plant Family: Lamiaceae (mint)
Overview
This is a woody, perennial plant with a 2 year life span, or so I have heard, mine typically live for several years. It is native to the Mediterranean and a member of the mint family.
It is a fragrant addition to your herb garden. It looks like an evergreen with small pointed leaves, that look like spines. It needs well composted, draining soil and mulching if overwintered outside. It produces small white or blue flowers in the summer.
This is a great addition to food like pork, lamb, game, poultry, and fish. It has medicinal properties as well and can be used in skin care products as well. It is a good source of iron, calcium and Vitamin B-6.
Cultivation and Harvesting
It is a wood plant that can be grown from seed but does best as cuttings. It enjoys growing in containers as well as out in the garden. Containers can be brought in during cold weather, however, rosemary does not like to be transplanted.
Typically just the leaves are harvested throughout the growing season. Some have been known to harvest the stems to use as skewers for kabobs. The leaves can be dried and stored for use later on. I will cut what I feel I need for drying and hang upside down over a screen.
Common Uses:
- Dried
- Seasoning food
- Teas
- Soaps
- Salves
- Fresh
- Seasoning food
- Air Fresheners
- Infused to oils, butters, etc
Medicinal Uses:
- Relief from anxiety
- Indigestion
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Cold and flu
- Poor circulation
- Skin Care
- Oral Health
Disclaimer:
Should not be used by pregnant women except in cooking.
Always consult with a qualified healthcare practioner before using herbal products. If you are pregnant, nursing or have medical conditions and are on prescribed medications this is essential.
This information is for educational purposes only not to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. None of this information has been evaluated by the FDA.
