Rosemary: medicinal properties and contraindications, where to add the seasoning?

Tart, slightly pine-like, with a hint of the sea—that's how those who have encountered rosemary describe its aroma. Once you've smelled it, it's hard to forget and impossible to confuse with any other.

An evergreen shrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family, rosemary came to Europe from the Mediterranean region. Its preference for sun and warmth allows it to be grown in other geographic locations, including the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Crimea. In the wild, the shrub can reach two meters in height, but indoors, it's unlikely to exceed 50 centimeters.

A love of this spice has given rise to many lyrical names for the plant—sea dew, wedding flower, bride's dress. The origin of such romantic names is primarily associated with the beauty of the blooming rosemary bush—white, pink, blue.

However, this plant is renowned for more than just its appearance during flowering. It is widely used in cooking, aromatherapy, cosmetology, and medicine. The plant's popularity has sparked a deep study of its medicinal properties and contraindications.

What is rosemary and what is its chemical composition?

The bush is an evergreen plant with thin, slightly curved leaves resembling pine needles. The younger the needles, the more fluffy they are. It is these leaves that emit the delicate aroma.

The plant has a fairly robust root system and brown stems. It blooms primarily in spring, during which time the plant is covered in flowers ranging in shades from lilac to white. After flowering, small fruits, resembling brownish nuts, form.

The plant's distinctive features include its tangy, spicy flavor and tart, slightly pine-like aroma. These characteristics contribute to its popularity in many areas of life.

To understand how to use rosemary properly, it's important to understand what it is—a spice or a medicinal plant. The plant's popularity in both cooking and medicine is due to its chemical composition.

Dried rosemary has a caloric value of 331 kcal per 100 g. The spice contains:

• carbohydrates – 64 g;
• dietary fiber – 42 g;
• fats – 15 g;
• proteins – about 5 g.

• linalool;
• borneol;
• terpineol;
• camphenes;
• cineole;
• bitterness;
• resins.

You may be interested in:

Thyme: medicinal properties, scope of application, for what diseases it is used
Thyme is not only a fragrant spice, but also a medicinal herb that is a panacea for a large number of…Read more…

Furthermore, the plant is rich in vitamins. The plant is particularly rich in vitamins C, B vitamins, and PP. Its micronutrient profile is also diverse and extensive: potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper. With such a rich composition, the benefits of fresh and dried rosemary are undeniable.

Where to add rosemary and how to make the seasoning?

Rosemary is widely used in Mediterranean cuisines, spreading from there throughout the world. Due to its rich, spicy aroma, it is used sparingly.

As a culinary additive, the spice is used both fresh and dried, and not only the leaves but also the stems and flowers of the plant are used. Only young leaves and shoots—no more than one year old—are used for preparing the spice.

The collected raw materials are dried in a dark place with good ventilation, then ground into powder and stored in containers with tight lids to prevent the unique spicy aroma from escaping.

The powder is used on its own and in complex seasonings of industrial and home production:

1. When preparing dishes with ground meat and game, you can add a few fresh sprigs, a pinch of rosemary powder, or use a mixture of rosemary, black pepper, and basil. These dishes have a general tonic effect on the body, improve digestion, and help digest particularly fatty foods.

   

2. Fish dishes benefit from seasoning. A combination of thyme and rosemary is considered the best. This combination has a generally strengthening effect on the immune system and helps prevent viruses and colds.
3. A small amount of rosemary—dried or fresh—is added to vegetable salads and soups. It adds a special piquant flavor to these dishes. A classic combination is with white and red cabbage. It's also used in eggplant, spinach, peas, and potato dishes.
4. Spicy rosemary perfectly complements the taste of cheeses and serves as an ingredient in the preparation of a variety of sauces.

   

5. Homemade or commercial canning also requires spices. To achieve a unique flavor, they are added to marinades.
6. Bakery products with added seasoning are especially popular due to their unusual taste and aroma.
7. Rosemary is used to flavor salt; when used, the dish acquires a light piquant flavor and lacks an intense odor.

Since rosemary doesn't have a significant impact on the hormonal system, its use is acceptable in the evening. However, caution should be exercised and the seasoning should not be overused, and it's especially advisable not to combine it with other spices that have a strong aroma, such as bay leaf.

Medicinal properties and uses of rosemary

For medicinal purposes, young shoots and leaves are used, collected before or at the beginning of the plant's flowering period. Importantly, these materials are collected from cultivated bushes, not wild ones.

The main medical indications for this spice include the following:

1. Boosting immunity, fighting inflammation, and disinfecting air contaminated with viruses and bacteria, rosemary is well-known for its ability to combat colds and bacterial infections.
2. Stabilization of blood pressure, if it has decreased, and also improvement of the cardiovascular system.
3. Combats nervous exhaustion, stress, and depression. It's also good for calming nervous system disorders during menopause.

   

4. It has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates the bile ducts, and ensures better absorption of food.
5. Provides a wound healing effect.
6. Improves cerebral circulation, stimulates memory, especially in post-stroke conditions.
7. It serves as a rejuvenating and toning agent for the skin and is an excellent antioxidant.
8. Baths using herbs are effective for rheumatism and other joint inflammations.
9. The plant's oils are effective against coughs.

The wide range of possibilities of the herb is reflected in many traditional medicine recipes.

Leaves

Rosemary leaves are a key source of beneficial nutrients. Fresh or dried, they are widely used in a variety of medicinal and preventative remedies.

The leaves are used to prepare infusions, decoctions, tinctures, and teas, which are effective for a variety of ailments. However, it's important to remember that any herbal treatment should only be undertaken after consultation with a physician.

You may be interested in:

The benefits and harms of geraniums in the home – folk signs
Everyone has probably been familiar with the geranium flower since childhood. Many gardeners cultivate it for ornamental purposes and for…Read more…

Oil

Rosemary's undeniable value lies in its scent, or more precisely, the aroma of its essential oil. You can make it yourself at home or buy it pre-made. To make your own, steep a few sprigs of the plant in high-quality olive oil and place them in bright sunlight. This will release the maximum amount of beneficial properties and aromatic compounds from the plant. Let the infusion steep for six weeks, then strain and store in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid in a dark place.

The essential oil itself is obtained industrially. It is effective as a massage aid or aromatherapy ingredient, and is excellent for treating respiratory ailments. The key to its safe use is dilution with other oils or creams, as pure rosemary oil from the pharmacy is too concentrated and can cause skin irritation.

The remedy's effectiveness has been proven for headaches, absent-mindedness, decreased performance, and memory problems. To achieve the desired effect, apply a few drops to the temple area and massage thoroughly. Often, headaches even eliminate the need for analgesics—rosemary oil effectively relieves pain.

Decoction

Rosemary tea is taken internally and used externally. To prepare it, add two teaspoons of dried herb to a cup of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Then strain.

The resulting remedy is effective in treating coughs and colds. For these purposes, take one teaspoon 30 minutes before meals.

This decoction is effective in the form of lotions or baths for joint inflammation.

Steam inhalations with a decoction are effective for migraines. Add two tablespoons of dried herb to a liter of water, boil it, and then inhale the vapors until the headaches subside.

To stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, prepare a tea from the leaves: pour 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary into 200 ml of boiled water. Take throughout the day to improve stomach and intestinal function and cleanse the liver.

Infusion

To prepare an infusion, pour 15 grams of dried plant into a glass of boiling water and let steep for 30 minutes. Then strain and use as directed.

For ENT infections, drink the resulting infusion in equal portions throughout the day. It is also suitable for gargling.

For bloating, it's best to take the remedy before meals. Doctors also recommend using a diluted infusion to restore circulation after a stroke.

An alcohol tincture is also effective for viral and cold illnesses, and is used for rubbing. It is prepared as follows: 2 tablespoons of dried leaves are steeped in 200 grams of alcohol or vodka, infused for 10 days, and then strained. 25 drops of the resulting infusion are added to two tablespoons of water and taken three times daily before meals.

In cosmetology

Rosemary's beneficial effects on the skin make it widely used to address many cosmetic concerns. The plant's antioxidant properties promote skin rejuvenation and toning. Rosemary extract and oil are used in industrial cosmetology.

At home, lotions based on red wine or vodka are prepared for different skin types. Dry skin requires an alcohol-based lotion, while oily skin requires a stronger alcohol.

To prepare this remedy, pour one glass of alcohol over a tablespoon of fresh rosemary sprigs, place in a dark place, and let steep for six weeks, shaking several times a week. Then strain and use as a lotion to cleanse and tone the face and neck.

To enhance the effectiveness of finished cosmetic products, you can add a drop of rosemary oil or fresh plant juice. Combining rosemary and tea tree oils creates an antiseptic treatment for acne and other inflammatory skin conditions.

To treat your skin, you can freeze a decoction or infusion of the herb and wipe your face and décolleté with these ice cubes. With regular use, your skin will become more even-toned and noticeably firmer.

In addition, rosemary oil is able to break down subcutaneous fat, which is why it is often used to combat cellulite.

For tonsillitis and stomatitis

To treat inflammation of the mucous membranes of the larynx and mouth, use an infusion of dried or fresh rosemary. Add 400 ml of boiling water to one tablespoon of dried herb or two tablespoons of fresh rosemary and steep for two hours. Then strain the infusion, cool, and use it to gargle the throat and mouth. Rosemary's antibacterial properties can shorten treatment time and relieve symptoms.

Inhalations for bronchitis

Steam inhalation is effective for relieving coughs and cold symptoms. Add a spoonful of dried rosemary or a few sprigs of fresh rosemary to a pot of boiling water. Inhale the steam while leaning over the pot and covering yourself with a towel.

The procedure lasts no more than 10 minutes.

Aromatherapy

Rosemary oil is effective for migraines, nervous tension, and stress. You can use rosemary oil from the pharmacy or rub a sprig of fresh rosemary between your palms. The aroma of the herb lifts your mood, combats insomnia, and stimulates mental activity. It also disinfects the air during viral infections.

For weight loss

Nutritionists recommend tea for effective fat burning. The drink consists of crushed chili peppers, a sprig of rosemary, and regular black tea. Pour boiling water over the mixture and let it steep for three minutes. This remedy burns calories and stimulates metabolism, speeds up digestion, and reduces appetite.

The main contraindications and harm of rosemary

Rosemary's benefits are undeniable. However, the high concentration of essential oils in the plant's leaves may be contraindicated for certain groups of people:

1. Pregnant women should avoid greens from their diet and, especially, from their medications. While they have a general tonic effect, they can significantly increase uterine muscle tone and cause miscarriage.
2. Epileptics should avoid this spice, as it may trigger seizures and convulsions.
3. For people with hypersensitive skin, rosemary oil can cause severe burns due to the high concentration of active ingredients.

   

4. Rosemary's ability to increase blood pressure can lead to sharp spikes, which is especially dangerous for those with hypertension.
5. It's best not to rush into introducing rosemary into the diet of children under 6-7 years old. It's best to use other seasonings to add flavor and aroma to food.

Any deviations in health status must be discussed with your doctor before actively using the herb.

You may be interested in:

Money tree (crassula) - medicinal properties and contraindications
The fat plant, also known as the crassula, is extremely popular and can be found in almost every home and office. This…Read more…

Answers to frequently asked questions

Rosemary's unique flavor and aroma, along with its wealth of beneficial properties, are reasons to consider this Mediterranean herb. Proper and measured use can add variety to your diet and significantly improve your well-being.