Rosemary is an aromatic herb found almost everywhere in the world. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has a sweet woody aroma that has a hint of citrus, lavender, pepper, mint, and sage. Rosemary has been used as a culinary and medicinal herb since ancient times and is still as popular today as it was then. This must be because of the range of benefits we get from this wonderful herb.
Rosemary is planted ideally from cuttings taken from established plants.Growing it from seeds leads to it taking a long time to grow and success rates are generally low. The seeds/cuttings should be planted evenly in well drained soil (allows water to pass)taking care not to over water it.Ensure to remove dead branches through pruning.
When harvesting, take only a 1/3 of the youngest stems for the freshest taste and to allow the plant to replace itself by growing again before taking more.Rosemary sprigs are best stored in airtight containers.
Benefits of rosemary which you should take note of
- Rosemary is very beneficial to memory and increased alertness.
- It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory products which boosts the immune system and improves blood circulation.
- The aroma which rosemary emanates is linked to relieving stress and improving one’s mood.
- Rosemary is very powerful against bacterial infection and is also often used against digestional problems.(intestinal gas, heartburn, loss of appetite).
- Nutrients found in rosemary help protect the skin from damage caused by the skin and free radicals.
- Rosemary oil is also very good for slowly graying hair, preventing baldness and treating dandruff.
When using rosemary in your roast or stew just sprinkle the rosemary needles over the food or you can even use the whole sprig if you are preparing a large dish.
