Rosemary

Rosemary: Rosmarinus officinalis

Warm to hot, tonic, moves the energy and circulation, raises the yang.

Rosemary was considered a sacred plant in ancient Greece and Rome. The essential oil and dried leaves were also found in ancient Egyptian Tombs.

Rosemary is warming and has been used for thousands of years to cleanse and move the energy of the liver.  And is recommended for people with a sluggish, Cold Liver and Gall Bladder . Slow Digestion, lack of vitality.

Whether taken internally or externally as in massage oil, Rosemary increases the circulation of the blood, warming cold limbs, and is particularly good for Cold Rheumatism. It is said to help sharpen the memory, probably for increasing the blood flow to the brain.

In the middle ages sprigs of Rosemary added to the bath water were considered rejuvenating, And 2 to 3 drops of essential oil of rosemary to 1 litre/1 ¾  pints of warm water and used as a face wash first thing in the morning.  And infusion of rosemary or essential oil diluted in a massage oil, applied to the scalp, is also said to reduce hair loss and adds lustre..

Rosemary contains Vitamin A and is good for eyesight and skin health. 

Note. Rosemary should not be used if you have Hypertension ( High Blood Pressure ) Bursting headaches, of a hot type, or any hot disease. Because it tends to encourage menstruation, rosemary should NOT be taken in Pregnancy of if periods are heavy; avoid taking it at night if you want to sleep.

You can make rosemary tea by adding a small sprig of the fresh herb or a pinch of dried to a cupful of water just off the boil, infuse for 5 minutes.

Rosemary Massage oil is made by adding 4—5 drops of essential oil to about a saucer full of almond or sunflower oil.

Rosemary adds wonderful flavour to cooking. Try snipping tender fresh shoots of rosemary over freshly cooked, buttered vegetables, or into a bowl of mixed salad.. (Young tender leaves the best for this).. Rosemary goes well with meat and is often used to add flavour to lamb..

You can also sprinkle rosemary over bread or savoury biscuits just before baking. Or add it to butter, spread it on slices of a granary stick, put them back in the shape of the loaf, wrap in foil and place in the oven like garlic bread and bake for 10—15  minutes until the butter has melted and the bread has become crisp.

I also like to add sprigs of rosemary to Wedges of Sweet Potato, covered in olive oil and sea salt baked in the oven until cooked a slightly crispy..

Other Health Benefits and Image source: can be found HERE