ROSEMARY - Know your HERBS -

**Admin** Tue Mar 12, 2013 4:57 am

The botanical name for Rosemary is Rosmarinus officinalis.

Native to the Mediterranean area, rosemary now grows widely in other parts of the world. It thrives in a warm and sunny climate. The plant takes its name from rosmarinus, a Latin term meaning "sea dew." It is an upright evergreen shrub that can grow to a height of 6 and a half feet. The woody rootstock bears rigid branches with fissured bark. The long, needle-like leaves are dark green on top and pale beneath. Both the fresh and dried leaves are aromatic. The small flowers are pale blue. The leaves and parts of the flowers contain volatile oil.

The parts of the Rosemary herb used, are:
leaves, stems and flowers

The nutritional value of rose is as follows:
RDA - Recommended Daily Allowance
folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, vitamin A (97% of RDA), vitamin-C (37% of RDA), potassium, calcium, iron (83% of RDA), manganese, copper, and magnesium.

Health Benefits of Rosemary

The most prominent modern use of rosemary is as an antioxidant. The primary goal of the herb in this use is to prevent the damage caused by oxidative stress that occurs during many diseases. The brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the condition's role in diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that the antioxidants in rosemary, such as the carnosic and rosmarinic acids, are highly effective in combating this problem.

Studies have also shown that rosemary is a potent anti-carcinogen and may play a role in treating cancer in the near future. One such study was conducted on rats and showed that rosemary, when administered in a powdered format, prevented the effects of carcinogens by 76% and decreased the incidence of tumors in mammary glands. In addition, by reducing the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, the herb also decreases the chances of developing skin cancer.

Rosemary has been thought of as a memory booster throughout history. Recent advances in the science surrounding the herb have shown that it inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine, which is a compound that plays a role in sections of the brain responsible for memory and reasoning. Rosemary may also promote memory function by increasing blood flow to the brain.

The herb is used by many as a natural antibacterial and antiviral. Rosemary is touted for its 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.

Since it is also 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. A tea can also be made by adding two teaspoons of the rosemary leaves to hot water and allowing it to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Herb butters and oils are made by adding the leaves or oil of the plant to the butter or oil and mixing thoroughly. Rosemary is also available in capsule form.

The leaves of the rosemary herb are used to make seasoning. When making rosemary oil nearly every part of this shrubby herb is used. Oil extract from the flowers is considered to be the best in quality. The leaves are often used to make tinctures that are applied directly to the skin to treat maladies such as muscle soreness and sprained ankles.