Page 129 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

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 fra-
grant 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 Rosemary in bloom, Margalob, CC by SA 4.0
on the top and white on the underside, with both sides indigestion. You may use rosemary in your food and/or
covered with short, dense, wooly hair. White, pink, use a tincture or infused oil before a large meal.
purple, or blue flowers appear in the spring and in the Improves Concentration and Memory,
summer in cooler climates and year-round in warmer
climates. Neuroprotective: Rosemary is known as a brain
tonic. It seems to improve concentration and memory.
It stimulates the circulatory system, bringing more ox-
ygen to the brain. It is used for elderly dementia pa-
tients. It also has a neuroprotective effect due to the
carnosic acid found in rosemary.

Circulatory Problems and Headaches: Rose-
mary 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. Rose-
mary has a mild analgesic effect, but the main relief
comes from opening up the blood flow to the brain.
Inflammation, Colitis, Arthritis: The analge-
sic 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 usu-
ally used in combination with other herbs. It also re-
duces gut inflammation.
Edible Use: Rosemary is often used in cooking. The Antifungal: Rosemary is a good antifungal and I of-
leaves and the flower petals are edible and nutritious. ten add rosemary essential oil to an external antifungal

Medicinal Use: Rosemary contains caffeic acid, salve.
carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosemarinic acid, anti-in- Antibacterial: Pseudomonas and Staph:
flammatories, and anti-oxidants. Rosemary essential oil inhibits the bacterium Pseudo-

Stimulates Digestion: The stimulant properties monas. It also works to kill Staphylococcus, as does
of rosemary bring circulation to the digestive organs oregano oil.
and help relieve digestive problems, especially

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