Rosemary

This handsome shrub has narrow dark green leaves and tiny pretty flowers that range from pale blue to a pinkish lavender colour. It is highly aromatic.

Cultivation

You can propagate this shrub from cuttings of the twisted wood of non-flowering branches in early summer and it can also be grown from seed. Choose a sheltered position and well-drained soil, and allow the plant lots of sun. The thick shrub tolerates clipping so that the size can be kept in check. In hot weather it will appreciate a good hosing down. In a warm climate it can remain in the same location for up to 30 years, but in climates where freezing temperatures are expected, consider growing it in pots so that it can be brought indoors in winter, or at least moved to a sheltered location.

Parts used

Dried leaves, or fresh leaves for culinary purposes

Uses

Rosemary and lamb go well together. Make slits in lamb for roasting and tuck in sprigs of the herb. Place larger sprigs over chops for grilling and use chopped leaves sparingly in soups and stews. Use in bouquets garni and sparingly with fish and in rice dishes.

Rosemary helps to relax muscles, including the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and uterus, this means it can be used to soothe digestive upsets and relieve menstrual cramps. A tea made from the leaves is also as a tonic for calming nerves and used as an antiseptic - use one teaspoon of crushed dried leaves in a cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes.

Rosemary makes a great treatment for brunette and black hair. Fill a jar with fresh rosemary and cover with sunflower or almond oil. Place the jar up to the neck in a saucepan of water and bring to a medium temperature. Simmer for up to three hours, allow to cool, then strain. To use, work the oil into the hair, then cover with plastic wrap and a warm towel. Leave for 30 minutes to an hour, then use shampoo on the hair before adding water or it will take you hours to wash the oil out!

Rosemary photograph by Nothing from flickr under a creative commons attribution licence.

 

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