Rosemary

Rosemary

Latin Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae

Part used: leaves and terminal twigs.
Energetics: Slightly bitter & pungent.
Iris: All types.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • May present an anti-implantation effect
  • Pregnancy & Lactation
  • Salicylate/ Aspirin sensitivity
  • Bleeding disorders.

ACTIONS

  • Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-fungal
  • Anti-protozoal
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Carminative
  • Anti-ulcer
  • Stomachic
  • Cholagogue
  • Circulatory diffusive
  • Diaphoretic
  • Hypo/Hypertensive
  • Hepatic tonic
  • Diuretic
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Analgesic
  • Astringent
  • Amphoteric
  • Antidepressant
  • Antispasmodic
  • Antiseptic
  • Circulatory tonic
  • Diffusive stimulant
  • Sedative
  • Rubefacient
  • Mild substitute for Benzodiazepine drugs
  • Used in European pharmacy to strengthen the heart and allay arteriosclerosis
  • Neuro-tonic.

Main Constituents

  • Volatile oils (cineol, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, α-pinene)
  • Rosmarinic acid
  • Carnosic acid
  • Diterpenes
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenols
  • Tannins up to 15%
  • Resin
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Zinc

Main Uses

Digestive System: Headache of gastric origin, Inflammation of the gallbladder, Jaundice. Cirrhosis- to aid function of liver, Renal colic

Infections:
Bacteria: Bacillus, Corynebacteria, E. coli, H. pylori, Klebsiella, Helicobacter pylori, MRSA, Pseudomonas Spp., Staphylococcus Spp., Vibrio Spp., Yersinia
Fungi: Aspergillus, Candida, Cryptococcus
Protozoa: Leishmania
Viruses: Herpes simplex, HSV-1, HSV-2, HIV/AIDS
Integumentary System: Eczema, Alopecia, Dandruff
Eyes: Blindness from a stroke
Circulatory: Migraine from high BP, Cardiac debility, To strengthen blood vessels by decreasing capillary fragility and permeability, Palpitations, Oedema
Mental/Emotional: Headaches from emotional upset, Depression, Giddiness, Hyperactivity, Amnesia
Nervous system: Migraine headaches, Tremor of the limbs, Poor memory, Alzheimer’s Disease
Musculo-Skeletal System: Flitting pain from joint to joint
Endocrine: Dysmenorrhoea
Immune System: Colds, Flu, Sinusitis, Parkinson’s Disease
Respiratory System: Bronchitis
Reproductive System: Sexual dysfunction, Infertility

More About Rosemary

The leaves contain rosmarinic acid which is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal and has antiseptic properties.
The primary goal of the herb is to prevent oxidative stress that occurs during many diseases. The antioxidants stimulate liver enzymes that detoxify carcinogens and xenobiotics. As a brain tonic, it can help in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Rosemary’s astringent tannins reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
Rosemary has an ability to eliminate several harmful forms of bacteria while leaving helpful bacteria undamaged. This use of the herb is particularly effective in fighting yeast infections or candida. Rosmarinic acid is found in a variety of herbs other than rosemary, these include thyme, oregano, and peppermint.
Rosemary is commonly used as a seasoning, there are many ways to incorporate rosemary into the typical diet. The most common method is to simply season prepared food with the herb to taste.
Rosemary tea is pleasant and can be a gentle way of introducing this herb. Herb butters and oils are made by adding the leaves or oil of the plant to the butter or oil and mixing thoroughly. Oil extract from the flowers is considered to be the best in quality.
Rosemary chest rub -for respiratory issues, painful joints, head lice.
Rosemary essential oil: 3-5 drops
Almond oil: 2 tsp
Muscle Pain Relief: The leaves are often used to make tinctures that are applied directly to the skin to treat muscle soreness and sprained ankles, but the essential oil added to creams or oils has a rubefacient effect which encourages circulation. Internally and externally Rosemary can help relieve the pain of arthritis and gout.
Rosemary’s astringent tannins reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.

Recipes:


Rosemary Tea

Known for its potential digestive benefits and is a delightful herbal infusion.

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves (or 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves)
  • 236ml of boiling water
  • Optional: Honey or lemon for flavour

Instructions:

  • Bring 236ml of water to a boil in a kettle or on the stove.
  • Measure out the dried or fresh rosemary leaves.
  • Place the rosemary leaves in a teapot or heat resistant mug.
  • Pour the boiling water over the rosemary leaves.
  • Cover the teapot or mug with a lid or saucer and let the rosemary leaves steep for about 5-10 minutes.
  • If desired, sweeten the tea with honey or add a squeeze of lemon for flavour.
  • After steeping, strain the tea to remove the rosemary leaves.
  • Pour the tea into a cup and Enjoy!
  • Sip the rosemary tea while it's still warm. It has a slightly bitter and pungent herbal flavour.
  • Rosemary tea is known for its potential digestive benefits and is a delightful herbal infusion.
Rosemary Infused Olive Oil

Ingredients:

  • 217ml of extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3-4 sprigs of fresh rosemary (about 6-8 inches long)

Instructions:

  • Rinse the fresh rosemary sprigs and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  • In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over low heat until it's warm but not boiling. This helps infuse the oil with the rosemary's flavour and aroma.
  • Place the rosemary sprigs into the warm olive oil. Be sure they are fully submerged.
  • Let the rosemary infuse in the warm oil for about 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the strength of the rosemary desired
  • Remove the saucepan from heat and let the oil cool to room temperature.
  • Once cooled, strain the oil through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean glass container or bottle, discarding the rosemary sprigs.
  • Seal the container or bottle with the rosemary-infused olive oil tightly and store it in a cool, dark place.
  • Use the rosemary-infused olive oil as an aromatic addition to salads, pasta, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or as a dipping oil for bread.

Note: The infused olive oil can be stored for several weeks in a cool, dark place, but it's best used within a month to retain the freshest flavour.edients:

References


Anti-inflammatory, inflammatory related diseases

Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil: A review of its phytochemistry, anti-inflammatory activity, and mechanisms of action involved
Current evidence indicates anti-inflammatory activity in EORO (essential oil rosmarinus officinalis), supporting its ethnopharmacological uses in inflammatory-related diseases, and potential future applications.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30287195/

Antioxidant, free radical scavenging, hepatoprotective

Antioxidant activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil and its hepatoprotective potential
Our results demonstrate that rosemary essential oil, beside exhibiting free radical scavenging activity determined by DPPH assay, mediates its hepatoprotective effects also through activation of physiological defense mechanisms.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25002023/

Immune system, immunity, immunomodulatory

Investigation of rosemary herbal extracts (Rosmarinus officinalis) and their potential effects on immunity.
The results demonstrated the potential of rosemary and its main active components as dietary ingredients with immunomodulatory functionality.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32086980/

Carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, diabetes mellitus, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, anti-inflammatory

Antidiabetic Effects and Mechanisms of Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its Phenolic Components.
A great deal of pharmacological research showed that rosemary extract and its phenolic constituents, especially carnosic acid, rosmarinic acid, and carnosol, could significantly improve diabetes mellitus by regulating glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33016104/

Neuroprotective, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), spray dried rosmarinus officinalis extract (SDROE), neurodegenerative disorders

Neuroprotective effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. extract in oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD)-injured human neural-like cells
We found that SDROE exerts a protective action in OGD-injured cells, increasing cell viability and metabolic turnover and decreasing Cx43-based cell coupling. These data suggest that SDROE-mediated Cx43 reduction may be the molecular basis for its beneficial effects to be exploited for preventive treatment against the risk of some neurodegenerative disorders.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30938188/